Mabkhout can play at much higher level: Ten Cate

Abu Dhabi: Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate “wouldn’t be surprised” if European clubs come calling for Ali Mabkhout after his performances in the Fifa Club World Cup.

The 27-year-old Emirati got the winner against Urawa Red Diamonds in the quarter-final and set up Romarinho twice for his goals against Auckland City and Real Madrid. But despite being a key player for club and country and having been linked abroad in the past, no move has ever materialised.

“I don’t know, I’m not Al Jazira, I’m just a coach, but I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Ten Cate, when asked if he’d had any enquiries for Mabkhout.

“For me, watching him against the best in the world, if I look at his movements and I look at the way he’s connecting to the game, I think he can play on a way higher level than he’s doing right now, for sure. He has all the abilities.

“There’s always a problem for players on this side of the world to go to Europe and it’s a cultural problem but football-wise, technically and tactically speaking, I don’t foresee any problem for him. He is really good, he is.”