Former Egypt national team goalkeeping coach, Zaky Abdelfattah, believes that Ahmed El-Shennawy should have moved to Europe.
El-Shennawy was among Egypt’s top young prospects, even participating in the 2012 Olympics which saw the Pharaohs get knocked-out from the quarter-finals.
He then moved to Egyptian powerhouse, Zamalek, in 2013 where he’s had his most successful period as a professional.
Before his move to Pyramids in 2018, he had made nearly 150 appearances for the White Knights, lifting the Egyptian Premier League title and three Egypt Cups along the way.
El-Shennawy was among Pyramids’ first signings after their rebranding.
Despite being their first-choice goalkeeper, his last appearance came in October 2020 as he fell down the pecking order behind Sherif Ekramy and El-Mahdy Soliman.
Talking to OnTime Sports TV, Abdelfattah said that El-Shennawy would’ve been the only goalkeeper in Egypt’s current generation to make it abroad.
“Ahmed El Shennawy is the only talented Egyptian goalkeeper, but he wasted his career because of money. Mohamed Awad did the same by moving to Zamalek,” he said
“In 2012 Real Betis wanted to sign El-Shennawy and the wages weren’t really high. But he refused to move and joined Zamalek instead he would receive 2 million Egyptian Pounds.
“Essam El-Hadary was a substitute for El-Shennawy against Brazil. He would’ve been the Mohamed Salah of goalkeepers in Europe.
“El-Shennawy’s career is at stake. He must leave Pyramids in order to get more playing time. Awad also must leave Zamalek.
“The mentality of the Egyptian players, especially the goalkeepers, makes their move to Europe difficult. The only goalkeeper that could have moved to Europe was El-Shenawy, but his mentality stopped him,” he added.
El-Shennawy became a key member of the Egyptian national team and was deemed as the successor of legendary goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary.
However, a series of injuries along with the sudden rise of Al Ahly’s Mohamed El-Shennawy saw him reduced to the bench, while sometimes not even receiving a call-up.
READ: Al Ahly keeper El-Shennawy handed four-game suspension
This explains why Abdelfattah didn’t include him in the list of goalkeepers he believes should play in the national team.
“Mohamed El-Shennawy, then Mohamed Abogabal, then Mahmoud Gad or Mohamed Sobhi.
“This is in the case you play a friendly match, because you give young goalkeepers experience,” he explained.
“As for a tournament, it must include 3 experienced keepers. So Mohamed Bassam may join them for his experience,” Abdelfattah concluded.
