Now that the deal between FC Emmen and Kazakh FC Tobol has been finalized, Fred Grim breaks his silence about the departure of Ahmed El Messaoudi. A choice based on money and returns.
The departure of Ahmed El Messaoudi had been circulating for days, partly because FC Tobol had already announced the arrival of the Moroccan Belgian, but FC Emmen remained remarkably silent. Only when the deal was finally completed on Thursday morning did trainer/technical manager Fred Grim want to provide explanations. Because why did the Drenthe let one of their best players go halfway through the season?
“Ultimately it is about the club’s interests,” said Grim. “We know where Ahmed came from. He wanted to leave at the beginning of the season, but was not physically fit. Together we managed to keep him focused and fit. If, like now, a club comes along, you look at its contract, for example. He could walk out the door for free next summer.”
Although the amount is unknown, FC Emmen now receives financial compensation from FC Tobol, but the financial aspect appears not to be the only reason why the club let El Messaoudi go. “His return was too low. He has played good games, but he should have scored more goals. He knows that too. That, plus his wish to leave, made us decide to let him go.”
New opportunity for Ben Scholte?
Grim says he will not immediately start hunting for a replacement for El Messaoudi. At the moment, the previously expressed wish to sign a defender and an attacker is the maximum possible. The Amsterdammer hopes that El Massaoudi’s compensation and released salary will make it easier to fulfill that wish. “The preliminary work has been done, now let’s see if we can get it done.”
According to Grim, El Messaoudi’s position behind the striker can be filled by Desley Ubbink and Ben Scholte. The coach refers to the beginning of the season, when Scholte seemed to develop into the surprise of this season in that position. A fit El Messaoudi suppressed that upward trend, but perhaps the young Ter Apeler will now get the chance to show his good side again.