The winter mercato officially started on January 1. Between now and the 31st of this month, players playing in Europe can change clubs. For several African players, this would be a better option to continue their progression or simply get out of their hole.
African champions in trouble
Senegal is coming off a successful year in 2022. The Lions won the 2021 African Cup of Nations last February before qualifying for the 2022 World Cup a month later. At this competition, they reached the 8th finals. This course could have helped to change the status of some players. But it didn't.
In addition to Saliou Ciss who missed the World Cup for lack of finding a club despite his excellent CAN, others are in a gloomy situation. This is the case of the goalkeepers Alfred Gomis and Edouard Mendy. The first is undesirable at Rennes but has virtually no offer to get out of his hole. And the second is now the understudy of Kepa at Chelsea.
Next door in another London club, Pape Matar Sarr played his first ever Premier League game this weekend. But 10 minutes in six months at Tottenham is a slump for the 20-year-old Senegalese midfielder. Last summer, his loan to Cremonese (Serie A) was cancelled on the last day. To leave where he can play matches would help him to grow. His compatriot from Leicester, Nampalys Mendy, is also almost forced to leave the Foxes. He has only played six games this season. Besiktas, which has wanted him since last summer, could help him get back on the field more often.
Ziyech, Kessié, Boga,... same fight
Like the African champions Senegal, one of the executives of the Atlas Lions fourth at the World Cup is in a complicated situation. It is Hakim Ziyech. The Moroccan winger has certainly made a good record at Chelsea by winning the Champions League but he plays little. Not enough for a player of his size. Milan is interested in the Moroccan and it can be a good challenge for him. Much better than that of Franck Kessié at FC Barcelona.
Patron of the midfield of AC Milan and Italian champion 2022, the Ivorian left for Catalonia to take up a challenge. Six months later, he's been eating his heart out on the bench, making do with small parts of games with the Spanish club. His compatriot Jérémie Boga is in the same situation at Atalanta (Italy). The winger has only six appearances with the Dea. He has long been courted by Marseille, Lyon and Rennes.
Moroccan World Cup players in search of better
Besides those who must leave to rebound, there are those who must go elsewhere because they certainly have a talent superior to the level where they are currently. Azzedine Ounahi is certainly the best example. The Moroccan midfielder made a name for himself at the World Cup. But for the moment, he belongs to Angers, the last team in the French Ligue 1. His compatriot Sofyan Amrabat could also find a challenge just above Fiorentina. Just like Ellyes Skhri, very good despite the disappointing results of Cologne this season in the Bundesliga. Lyon could also repatriate the Tunisian midfielder to France.
They must absolutely leave
Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea), Franck Kessié (FC Barcelona), Jérémie Boga (Atalanta), Aissa Mandi (Villarreal), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Fodé Ballo Touré (Milan).
They must leave to take a step forward
Azzédine Ounahi (Angers), Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina), Ellyes Skhiri (Cologne),
