8/9/2005
John Duerden
Goal.com

If, as expected, FC Kaiserslautern manage to complete the transfer of Iran’s Javad Nekounam, they will have captured one of the most accomplished and energetic midfielders in Asia

Still young at 24, Nekounam made his debut for the national team in May 2000 and impressed those present with his tenacity and enthusiasm. It was clear from the beginning that the youngster had the potential to go far in the game. Since that match against Syria, he has won another 65 caps for his country, becoming an integral part of Iran’s midfield.

His youth and experience are an attractive combination for any suitor as is his dynamism, energy and an eye for goal that has helped him to score a respectable ten goals for his country, often from the position of defensive midfielder.

As one may expect, anchored in such a position in a team that is renowned for its attacking and creative stars, Nekounam’s qualities on the ball were initially overlooked. As time has passed however, his attacking skills have come to the fore. His energy remains but his vision and touch are improving. The same can be said of his movement and fierce long shots and, as he is tall for a midfielder, he can be a nuisance at corner-kicks.

In the past year the player has emerged from the cocoon of an anchor man into a fully fledged complete midfielder who can do everything. In the World Cup Qualifiers, he was excellent in every game and his is the first name that coach Branko Ivankovic’s writes on the teamsheet. Nekounam is the fulcrum of the team, if he plays well then so does Iran.

His influence was on display in last year’s Asian Cup. South Korean newspaper ‘The Donga Ilbo’ said after Iran defeated South Korea 4-3, “Ali Karimi took the headlines with his hat-trick but if Javad Nekounam had swapped teams then Korea would have won comfortably. In fact, if he was Korean, one feels that Korea would win most games comfortably”.

Unsurprisingly his club side Pas are reluctant to see the back of the midfielder as, similarly to his performances for his country, he never seems to have a bad game for the Teheran team and helped the club, very much Teheran’s ‘third team’ behind Perspolis and Esteghal, to their first title since 1992.

Pas was hoping that Nekounam would hang around long enough to help in next month’s AFC Champions League quarter-final with the United Arab Emirates powerhouse and 2003 winners of the continental crown, Al Ain.

Pas’s loss will be Kaiserslautern’s and the national team’s gain as international team-mate Fereydoon Zandi already plies his trade for the team that finished 12th in the Bundesliga at the end of the 2004/05 season and the two could gain some useful experience playing together week in and week out in the host country for the 2006 World Cup.

Earlier in the summer Tottenham Hotspur were interested in Nekounam but opted for Edgar Davids instead. Davids is a globally-recognised midfielder but if the Iranian’s development continues at the same rate then, with his ability and desire, he could become as famous as the dreadlocked Dutchman.