US May Face New EPL Opponent

United States’ Group C opponents Algeria are in the process of seeking to add a top EPL player to their ranks, with a view to him playing in their World Cup squad in 2010.

West Ham’s French midfielder Julien Faubert has played one match for his native France although that was a friendly. He has now applied for an Algerian passport in a bid to achieve his dream of playing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the player told AS sports daily Friday.

Faubert’s wife is Algerian, but was born in Le Havre, one of the closest points on the French mainland to Group C opponents England. As well as the USA, the ‘Desert Foxes’ will play in Group C alongside England and Slovenia.

West Ham loaned Faubert to Real Madrid last season, making his debut against Racing Santander in February. However he made just two appearances playing a total of one hour in the last few months of the 2009 season and became a figure of fun after two episodes which cast doubt on his commitment. In April, he missed training when he mistakenly thought he had the day off, prompting coach Juande Ramos to say “The boy got confused, nothing more.” Secondly during Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal, cameramen caught him sound asleep on the bench.

He returned to West Ham at the end of the season.

In August 2006, he attained a unique distinction when he donned the France number 10 shirt in that friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, becoming the first player to do so for France since the retirement of Zinedine Zidane. He scored the winning goal in the game’s final minute to secure France a 2–1 victory, but hasn’t featured since in Raymond Domenech’s plans.

In an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe published on December 24, 2009, Faubert admitted he had been approached by the Algerian FA about representing the North African side due to his wife being Algerian. He said he would consider the option if he fails to get recalled by Les Bleus and now that appears to be happening.

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