Nabil hoping to make Algeria debut

Nabil Bentaleb has spoken of his pride after being named in Algeria’s squad for their friendly against Slovenia this evening.

The 19-year-old midfielder has quickly adjusted to the demands of the Premier League since his elevation from our Development Squad into the first team picture in December.

On the bench for Sunday’s win against Cardiff, he’s now made 13 appearances for us in all senior competitions, and his hard work has been rewarded with a call-up to the Algerian senior national side – a team he’s eligible to represent through his parental roots – as they prepare for this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

“I’m really looking forward to helping Algeria,” he said. “It’s a country that I really love and I really want to play for them with all my heart.”

Born in France, Nabil played once for the French Under-19 national side in November, 2012.

But having committed his international future to Algeria, he’s hoping to win his first cap in the build-up to this summer’s showpiece competition.

“I hope good things will happen over there,” he added. “I feel proud to be on the international stage and I feel proud to be with Algeria.”