On and off the field, Hamza Choudhury’s potential inclusion in Bangladesh football team would be huge, forecasted respective persons as the United Kingdom-born midfielder’s chances of wearing the Red and Green jersey gather momentum.
Recently Hamza received Bangladesh passport.
The Bangladesh Football Federation requested England Football Association’s No Objection Certificate/Clearance for the player who represented the English Under-21s.
Then it would be up to FIFA’s players’ status committee to decide if Hamza would be eligible for the new role.
Talks to bring the Leicester City midfielder started few years ago when English coach Jamie Day was in charge of Bangladesh national team.
Day said he tried to make contact with the Foxes and Hamza but the footballer was more focused on the prospects of playing for the England national team at the time.
Hamza showed real interest in Bangladesh later and the football federation began the talks.
In February this year, mutual agreement was in place between the BFF and Hamza.
The process to obtain birth registration first, followed by Bangladesh passport, has been in focus in the Bangladesh football fraternity since then.
Potential impact
If everything goes to plan, Javier Cabrera’s Red and Green side will get the 26-year old sooner rather than later.
“Definitely, we need such iconic player in Bangladesh. It will have a huge impact,” said national team’s assistant coach and former Bangladesh international Hasan Al Mamun to Dhaka Tribune.
“It will be positive for all local players to have a teammate like him. They can learn a lot from him.”
But former star national striker and coach Alfaz Ahmed has his doubts regarding the overall impact Hamza would have on Bangladesh football.
“He (Hamza) is an expatriate player. May be, seeing him, the youth would be more interested. Not more than this. He alone can’t change the whole Bangladesh football,” Alfaz told Dhaka Tribune.
He added: “We have to think why Bangladesh couldn’t produce a player like Hamza.”
Day though was effusive in his praise of Hamza.
The English coach said: “He would bring a wealth of experience and playing knowledge to the group, alongside the technical quality.”
Change in line-up
Hamza usually plays in defensive midfield for English top-flight club Leicester and can also be deployed as central midfielder.
In Bangladesh team, Hamza can be experimented in other options.
Mohammad Ridoy currently performs the DM role in Cabrera’s plans and has fared well in national colors.
Mohammad Sohel Rana and Sohel Rana can more than hold their own in central midfield while Jamal Bhuiyan, once a DM, now plays in attacking midfield.
If Hamza joins the side, he can well occupy one of these positions.
His playing role may change depending on the strength, tactics and style of the opponents.
Bangladesh generally face much higher-ranked sides at the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers.
On such occasions, Hamza’s defensive capabilities could prove to be handy.
“His presence will speed up the team,” Alfaz said but also queried: “Where will he play? He usually plays in defence, as defensive midfielder. How long can he play in defence?”
He added: “There is a matter of adjustment because he grew up in English football. The weather and playing style are important factors.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Premier League outfit Fortis FC’s team manager Rashedul Islam said: “The level of play Hamza represents, no specific playing position would matter. He can play in any position for Bangladesh, especially in defence and midfield.”
Off the field
“Plus, for the country and its fans, it would be massive,” Day concluded on the likely impact of Hamza off the field.
“It would be totally positive for Bangladesh football,” said Hasan, former defender and member of Bangladesh’s lone SAFF Championship (2003) winning campaign.
Alfaz was the forward of that title winning side.
He is also certain that Hamza would be a hot topic of discussion.
Rashed said: “Bangladesh’s football didn’t enter the drawing room of many families. If Hamza joins, countless people of this category will be interested to watch Bangladesh’s games.”
“It will also enter the drawing room of elite class who are passionate for European football,” Rashed added, predicting that the off-the-field impact of Hamza will be no less than on the pitch.
He concluded: “The whole atmosphere would change. The standard will jump up. The base mark will reach a new height.”
