ABU DHABI // Eric Gerets, the Al Jazira coach, thinks he has found the missing link of the team by signing veteran centre-back Basheer Saeed from champions Al Ahli.
His arrival at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on a Dh12 million deal for three-and-a-half years should strengthen a Jazira defence that has conceded more goals, 27, than anyone other than the two bottom teams Ajman (31) and Kalba (33).
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Saeed made his debut for Jazira in their 3-1 home victory over Ajman on Wednesday and Gerets is already impressed. “I have been fighting for a long time to have Basheer in the team because he is the missing link,” the Belgian said ahead of their away match against Fujairah.
“My defenders have quality but they have one big problem, they don’t speak and they don’t organise themselves at the back.
“Now I have the player who speaks and speaks in a good way.
“He can help the others like as he did with Saif [Khalfan] in his first game. For me, he is a leader and he is a player with good quality and I missed this player before.”
Khalfan, who turned 22 on January 31, was given his first start in the club line-up with the experienced Saeed as part of Gerets’s plan to build a stronger defence and blood youngsters.
“I want to share my experience and help the youngsters in the club,” Saeed said. “This is one of my tasks aside from playing for the club.”
Saeed, 33, started his career at Al Wahda in 1998, and after four league titles, a President’s Cup, two Super Cup medals and a League Cup he crossed to Ahli in 2011.
At Ahli, he enjoyed more success, winning the league, a President’s Cup and a Super Cup.
“I had a great time at Wahda and Ahli, and hope I will enjoy more success at Jazira,” he said.
Saeed quit international football in 2008 to concentrate on his club career but returned four years later on the request of the FA for a couple of matches against Lebanon in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Saeed arrived at Jazira despite receiving a contract extension at Ahli of two years until 2016.
“I am now a Jazira player and I will do everything within my ability and capacity to help my new coach, my teammates and the club fans to win every trophy we play for,” he said.
“I am also thankful and honoured for the faith the coach and the club management has in me. I had a good first game and am looking forward for more success with my new team.”
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