Several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Brighton, are tracking the Moroccan winger of RC Strasbourg, Gessime Yassine. The former international Salaheddine Bassir believes playing time must come before the prestige of the buying club.
The 20-year-old Moroccan winger of RC Strasbourg is attracting the attention of several Premier League clubs. According to AfricaFoot, Chelsea, Brighton, Newcastle United, Brentford, Sunderland, Everton and Nottingham Forest are actively tracking his progress.
In the face of this interest, the former Moroccan international Salaheddine Bassir spoke this Friday, 23 October, about the player’s future. In comments reported by AfricaFoot, he advocates an environment guaranteeing regular playing time rather than a hasty move to a big club, where competition could break his momentum.
A promising trajectory
Born in Salon-de-Provence in November 2005, Gessime Yassine announced himself at the U20 World Cup in Chile. Strasbourg paid around €5.75 million, or £5 million, in January to sign him from Dunkerque.
This season, in the Strasbourg shirt, he has 2 goals and 2 assists in 7 Ligue 1 matches.
Bassir warns against a hasty departure
Salaheddine Bassir, a legend of Moroccan football, was keen to offer Gessime Yassine some advice. “The right choice of club can be more important than the transfer fee or the prestige of the shirt. The question is not only who wants to sign Gessime, but also which club can offer him the environment and tactical development he needs to reach his best level,” he told AfricaFoot.
The former international also stressed the demands of the English league: “What matters is his ability to make the difference one against one, to move intelligently off the ball and to make the right decisions in the final third. In the Premier League, speed and technique are not enough. You also have to withstand the physical intensity, take part in the pressing and maintain a good quality of execution under pressure.”
For him, the priority must be playing time. “The best transfer for Gessime will be the one that allows him to progress while playing regularly. Chelsea can be a gateway to a higher level, but another club can offer him a more direct path to establishing himself in the Premier League,” he added, again according to AfricaFoot.
Strasbourg and Rennes in sight
For now, Gessime Yassine is with Strasbourg, who face Stade Rennais on Sunday, 25 October in the 8th round of Ligue 1. A match that will allow the player to continue his season, while his future remains open.