Last summer, Paris Saint-Germain decided to part ways with several undesirables. Some of them were also sent to Qatar. Christophe Galtier (57 years old) took charge of Al-Duhail. Marco Verratti (31 years old) and Abdou Diallo (27 years old) set down their bags at Al-Arabi. Finally, Julian Draxler (30 years old) signed for Al-Ahli. Purchased for 42 million euros in the 2017 winter transfer window, the former Wolfsburg player generally disappointed in the capital, where he played 198 matches in all competitions, including 118 as a starter. Time for him to score 26 goals.
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He also expanded his record with 4 French championship titles, 4 French Cups and 3 League Cups. But the German, who arrived with the label of great talent, failed to make the grade in Paris. Already pushed towards the exit in 2022, he was loaned to Benfica. But in Portugal, he only appeared 15 times, including 4 times as a starter (1 goal). It must be said that he had taken up residence in the infirmary. Back at the residents of the Parc des Princes, he was told that it was time to leave for good.
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A new start in Qatar
This is where Al-Ahli arrived and offered 20 million euros for the footballer who had one year left on his contract. A suspicious transfer for some. But regardless, PSG managed to get rid of Draxler. The latter admitted that he would have hoped for a better ending in the capital before saying more about his choice. “I could now stand up and say that after 12 years in Europe, for me it is all about discovering a new culture, having a new international experience, participating in an exciting project in the Arab world – and ‘exclude the topic of money.’
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Then he added: “even if these aspects are honestly relevant, it would still be a lie if the financial part was not also decisive in this case.” Honest words from the native of Gladbeck who is also not going to Qatar for tourism. After 7 months without playing since his last appearance at Benfica was on February 4, 2023, he played his first match on September 23 against Umm-Salal before continuing in the eleven against Al-Muaither six days later. On October 21, for his third match, he scored twice against Qatar Sport Club, despite the 4-2 defeat.
Draxler is decisive
But the German international (58 caps, 7 goals) then joined the infirmary. “Al-Ahli Club confirms that Draxler is one of the best players in terms of discipline, commitment and respect for the club. We all hope that the player recovers from his injury and returns quickly to continue his successful season with the football team.” A hard blow for the 30-year-old who finally returned to his team two months later, on December 21. That day, he spent 31 minutes on the pitch against Al-Duhail. Six days later, he scored a goal against Al-Markhiya.
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Then, the former PSG player, who visibly found the net again, continued to be decisive as he scored against Al-Gharafa, Al-Muaither and against Qatar SC. In 11 matches in all competitions (7 starts), he scored 6 goals, including 5 in the league. We must also add 4 assists distributed in the Qatar Stars League. An important element for his trainer Pepa, who spoke highly of it in the Portuguese press. “Julian is a machine. For us, it’s a pleasure to see you happy again in training.”
His club is cautious
He then clarified: “I knew Julian hadn’t played for Benfica. I arrived here, I watched a match, he got injured, then he was out for two or three weeks. We already knew his story at Benfica (…) Then he came in and scored two goals. He was injured again. I thought we wouldn’t have it for the whole year. My technical team and I were faced with the enormous challenge of recovering Julian, the star player. “How are we going to get this guy back?” There were the injuries, the psychological part, the medical care… and then, it’s not easy.”
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He finally confided: “If a player makes one pass, two passes and there is no continuity, it’s frustrating. Balancing all this in the head of a player who was a champion (…) I hope that Draxler will not have any more injuries until the end of the season. For a month now, a month and a half, he has been training practically non-stop. I see him doing great things.” Despite some physical problems, Julian Draxler seems to be flourishing in Qatar where he scores goals and regains his confidence. Life after PSG is therefore going rather well for the German.
Pub. 03/19/2024 10:01 p.m. Updated 03/19/2024 11:23 p.m.
2024-03-19 21:01:12
#impressive #comeback #Julian #Draxler
