Editorial: Sheys Rezaei’s chances with Stuttgart

Sheys is a talented footballer just like his other countrymen who started moving to German clubs around a decade ago. You could easily claim that Daei, Mahdavikia, Hashemian, Karimi and a few more have opened up the way for Sheys and other talented young Iranians. But can you also claim that there is someone else who’s being behind Sheys Rezaei’s trial?

Sure it could be. Having a few contacts never hurts, but lets face it; Stuttgart won’t invite an Iranian from Iran to practice with them unless they are at least thinking about signing him.

Rezaei though will have very little time at the beginning to play football as most of the time the club is trying to improve fitness levels and stamina at such an early stage in preseason preparation. Today though the squad was given some real football practice for more than an hour and unless Rezaei was struggling with nerves he did fine, because he’s good on the ball and has good technique for a defender. The team practiced passing exercises, and a five versus two exercise, the very same Sheys have practiced in Iran for many years now.

So far so good for Sheys who probably hasn’t started from scratch in the same way the others have, who are just off their vacations. Not only Rezaei has had a shorter summer break than the others, but he was reported to be in training under the watchful eyes of a German trainer in Tehran, before flying out to Germany.

On Wednesday Stuttgart will play a friendly game against FC Löffingen and that is when Rezaei will have to give 100% if he wants to play his football in the Bundesliga next season. Rezaei, if given the chance, will probably play in the right back position, which on Wednesday will be all about attacking. Rezaei knows this, as he will take care of the little things to do in defence, and then focus on his offensive runs. If he impresses the coaching staff another friendly game will await him on Sunday.