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EP EXCLUSIVE: Brighton
& Hove Albion's Half-Egyptian defender Adam El-Abd
spoke to EgyptianPlayers.com, commenting openly on his
past, present and future, as well as his Egyptian identity.
EP: Could you introduce yourself as
a person and a player to the Egyptian fans...
AE: I'm 20 years old, I've been at Brighton since
I was 10, in their youth setup. I got a scholarship
at the club at 16, and got a two and a half year contract
at 19. It's my first full season as a pro, and I've
had 10 appearances this year; 9 as starter and 1 as
substitute. When I was on a run in the team I was unlucky
to be injured, and since then I've found myself in and
out for the rest of the season.
I have a English mother and an Egyptian father. I have
two brothers. The older one [Joe] plays professional
rugby for Division One team Bristol. My younger brother
Sami plays football for Crawley Town [Conference].
In terms of hobbies, I enjoy playing golf, and I play
a lot as my dad has a place in La Manga, and in the
summer I go there. I also love my rugby. I like playing,
and I enjoy watching too, but I can't play any more
because I play football. But whenever I get the chance
to watch my brother I do.
EP: How about your future prospects and aims at club
level?
AE: My main aim is to get into the side and to
have a run of games. But the season is coming to an
end and so I'm aiming to play a lot more next season.
I'm hoping to have a good preseason and get into the
side as I did this season, and then hopefully to stay
injury free and become the number one right back at
the club. And then from there, possibly be watched by
bigger clubs where I can play at a high level.
EP: Has there been any interest from clubs already?
AE: No, not that I'm aware of. I had the option
of joining Everton when I was 16, but I decided against
it as it was too far from home. I don't think it was
a wrong decision as I've done well here. I think it
was the right decision at the time as I was not ready
to move away from my family. But of course if the offer
comes again now I'd have to say yes!
EP: So the position you play best is right back?
AE: Well I play right back currently at the
club, but I can play centre back. I've grown up playing
centre back, but I'm only 5' 10", which is not
the biggest for a centre back, and so they moved me
out to right back. They say that it's difficult for
someone to be centre back at that height, although I
don't agree. But if the manager sees me as right back
then that's what I am at this club.
EP: So your favourite position is centre back?
AE: I feel more comfortable in centre back, if
I had the choice, but I play both without a problem.
EP: What about the left side of defence, as some
people feel that's what Egypt need?
AE: I've played left sided centre-half before,
but never as a left back.
EP: What about the midfield?
AE: Yes I've played as a defensive holding midfielder
for a season as apprentice, and I enjoyed it a lot.
EP: Do you have any footballing role-model?
AE: Well I loved Eric Cantona when he played,
for the awe he held. He was a legend!
EP: How about a role-model in your position, to base
your game around?
AE: Yes, Marcel Desailly, and also Barcelona's
centre-half Puyol. I watched him a lot as he's my height
and he coped with being 5' 10" and a centre-half
very well, and obviously that's where I prefer to play
despite my height disadvantage.
EP: Do you have any Egyptian footballing role-model
or favourite player?
AE: Mido stands out! He's been around for a lot
of clubs, and is a superstar really.
EP: How well do you follow Egyptian football?
AE: Yes I do follow the Egyptian national team.
When they do play I try to follow their results or take
time out to watch the games. But obviously it's quite
hard for me to follow Egyptian club football here except
a little through the internet.
EP: Some people are worried about communication problems
if you are called to the national team. How is your
Arabic?
AE: To be honest: it's not my first language.
But I do know a bit and am currently taking time out
to learn Arabic.
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