Who is Nabil Bentaleb? The ex-Tottenham Hotspur star once hailed as 'the best footballer in the whole team'

Newcastle United have announced Nabil Bentaleb as their first January signing – but who is he?
Jordan Cronin
By Jordan Cronin
Published 20th Jan 2020, 16:45 BST
Updated 21st Jan 2020, 13:51 BST
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Steve Bruce has expressed his desire to strengthen his squad this month, however has always maintained it needs to be someone who will improve the squad.

And Bentaleb has been identified as a player who fits that bracket – and we take a closer look at his career so far.

KEY DETAILS

Schalke's Algerian midfielder Nabil Bentaleb kicks the ball to score during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Schalke 04 and Manchester City on February 20, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)Schalke's Algerian midfielder Nabil Bentaleb kicks the ball to score during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Schalke 04 and Manchester City on February 20, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Schalke's Algerian midfielder Nabil Bentaleb kicks the ball to score during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Schalke 04 and Manchester City on February 20, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Age: 25 years old

Nationality: Algerian

Position: Central midfielder

Club: Schalke 04

HIS BACKGROUND

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Bentaleb was born in Lille, France, to Algerian parents, hence his eligibility to represent Algeria on the international stage.

He started his youth career at Lille before moving over to Belgium at the age of 15 and join Mouscron.

And having briefly returned to France, Bentaleb travelled over the English channel to undergo a trial at Birmingham City, though it was Tottenham Hotspur he would sign for.

Graduating from their academy, Bentaleb earned a new four-year-deal and quickly stepped into Spurs’ first-team.

HIS CAREER SO FAR

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Bentaleb broke into the senior set-up and played a regular part for Tottenham in the second half of the 2013/14 season – including two assists during a 4-0 win at St James’ Park.

He established himself as regular in the following season – going on to make 35 appearances before serious injuries halted his progress drastically.

Unfortunately for the Algerian, it meant he fell out-of-favour under Mauricio Pochettino – prompting a season-long loan move to the Schalke in 2017.

Following the expiration of his loan, Bentaleb was snapped up by the Bundesliga club for a reported £16million after 66 outings for Tottenham.

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His time in Germany was a success up until last year with the Algerian demoted to the youth side due to 'disciplinary issues'.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT HIM?

In February 2018, then-Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel was quoted in German magazine Waz saying: “We all agree with Schalke that maybe Nabil is the best footballer in the whole team.

“Nabil will gradually move closer, game by game, to the performance he can bring.”

Related topics:Steve Bruce