Photo: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
After establishing himself as a starting player in the high flying Aston Villa squad, KingFut’s Ahmed Khalil puts the spotlight on Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’, looking at his impact in the clubs fight against relegation last season and how he transitioned from a bench role to becoming a core player of the Villains starting XI.
The Egyptian has made leaps and bounds since joining Aston Villa in the summer of 2019. Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’s move from Kasimpasa in Turkey for £8.75 million has been a bargain, providing his team with a number of crucial goals as he stepped up his form in what was a survival dogfight in the final few games of the Premier League last season.
The 26-year old speedy winger’s reputation has been growing in England as many suitors will be monitoring his performances this season.
Mahmoud Trezeguet’s ability to place himself in goal-scoring positions in organized offensive situations is one that has helped him in being most impactful for Aston Villa this season. His poacher-like movement allows him to be able to maximize attacks constructed by his team, being able to locate the space and take quick shots when the opportunities arise.
Trezeguet’s understanding of his teammates’ preferences in terms of movements and pass choice, helps him determine the spaces he will occupy to be able to exploit an offensive situation in the final third. His sensing of where he is at his most dangerous provides him with the decision on whether to maintain his position out wide or a position where he can be more threatening; closer to the opposition goal.
This season, he has the second-most shots, 19, out of any Aston Villa player in the Premier League. This is not only due to his technical ability and movement, but also his mental approach, bravery and willingness to be productive for the team; which is an important quality for a player who is looking to improve on his goal tally of five Premier League goals.
Aston Villa’s inspiring rise in the Premier League has been rightfully attributed to the likes of Jack Grealish and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s influential performances in the opening weeks.
However, one player whose work goes under the radar to many fans is the Egypt international and it is that work-rate that makes the 26-year-old such a vital player for Dean Smith’s team.
He has won the second most amount of tackles for Villa this season (22), just one behind left-back Matthew Cash, and made the second most interception in the squad with thirteen, showing his ability defensively.
Trezeguet’s defensive output is the reason he remains in Dean Smith’s plans according to Gregg Evans from the Athletic, who also believes Ahmed Elmohamady played a major part in helping his fellow countryman adapt to English football
His understanding of his defensive roles within the team structure allows him to occupy the correct spaces in relation to his teammates. He comprehends the tactical aspect of the game, positioning himself according to his opponents as well as the movement of the ball.
That means, if he is playing in his usual position as a winger, defending the ball on his side of the pitch, he would mark the opposition full-back. However, if the opposition was attacking on the other side of the pitch, Trezeguet would defend the inside space to giving his team an extra midfielder.
READ: Gregg Evans analyses Ahmed Elmohamady’s influence on Trezeguet
“I’ve noticed Ahmed Elmohamady, his international teammate, often guiding him through games, he’ll give him pointers throughout the games of [when] to track back, when to sit in, when to get forward, when to break the lines, etc,” Evans said on the 1874 podcast as reported by ThisisFutbol.
“I just think he’s a real shining light because sometimes it just shows that hard work sometimes beats talent.
“Maybe that’s a little bit unfair because obviously, he’s a very talented player as well, but it just feels like his energy levels and his enthusiasm is what gets him through the games now,” he added.
A player with undoubted ability, if Mahmoud Trezeguet maintains his game-to-game improvement will see him become one of the best exports from the African continent. With his quick and sharp movements in tight areas, combined with his professionalism and defensive contribution to the team, he is maximizing his opportunities in the Premier League.
If Trezeguet keeps consistently improving his existing qualities as well as identifying and working on his weaknesses, Egypt will have more than one king in the United Kingdom.
