Criticized on his physique in Saint-Etienne, Wahbi Khazri is asserting himself as a leader in a team lacking results. A trend that he must confirm tomorrow against Metz.
Criticized, dismissed, unwanted, put on the market, the player of AS Saint-Etienne Wahbi Khazri experienced difficult times with the Greens. But this player with a strong character has never given up. Today, the Tunisian has won his place to become indispensable in the Stéphane team. This season, Khazri carries a heavy burden on his shoulders: that of keeping the ship afloat and allowing his club to remain in the elite of French football. The 30-year-old is making his fourth consecutive season in the green jersey. But this is all the more special since the club is in a complicated situation (last in the standings with 5 points). However, on a personal level, the Tunisian international panics the counters.
A season and records at stake
With 6 goals scored in the first 11 league games, Khazri is approaching his personal best in terms of achievements over a season in the league (13 with AS Saint-Etienne during the 2018-2019 season). Positioned as an attacking midfielder and then used on the left side of the attack, the Tunisian player is the only Ligue 1 player to have scored more than half of his team’s goals (55%) since the kick-off of the 2021-2022 season. Dressed and technical with his right foot, the former Bordelais is also able to score in the game as in the stopped phases.
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Free kick specialist
Scorer from a set piece during the last league match against Angers on October 22, Khazri scored his 8th goal from a direct free kick since joining the elite of French football in 2012-2013. Over this period, he is tied with Clément Grenier, a former player in particular for Rennes and Lyon. Since the start of the season, the Tunisian international has also scored four goals from set pieces (including penalties). Even if these performances are appreciated by his trainer Claude Puel, the climate is hostile to say the least between the two characters.
A heavy atmosphere
“I’m not asking Wahbi to walk on water, just to run on the ground”, said the French technician about his player, at a press conference in 2019. For two years, Khazri and Puel have been living a complicated relationship. Unused by his coach, the Tunisian international had returned to form in March by being decisive in the 3 victories that his team had managed to glean in four games. But the answer given by the former Bastiais on the ground had probably not convinced, since at the start of the season, the player was placed on the transfer list. With a contract expiring in June 2022, it remains to be seen whether Khazri will extend the adventure on the side of Geoffroy Guichard or if he will join another club for a new challenge.
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