Hannibal Mejbri | Birmingham Loan Watch

Jeppers7 said:
Why are people going on about Chong or desperate for Hannibal to prove their agenda’s?

If you’ve nothing positive to say about a 19 year old ripping it up in the championship on loan then just stay out of the thread and give him time to develop.

Hannibal is a special talent. Chong, I could see after about two minutes of watching him would never make it at United.
Click to expand...

Yes, Chong was nothing special for the first team, and he got plenty of chances under Ole to show some glimpses, which never happened. The issue is he has no position yet where he would excel. He is not a midfielder and not good enough on the wing for the senior game.

The thing with Chong is that he also always got injured at important moments in his career and never could kick on once he had some momentum. He is not good enough for United, but could still have a decent career somewhere else.

Hannibal is on a different level talent wise, he has the x factor.
 
Messier1994 said:
For sure, I think that Hannibal’s potential is much higher than Zidane’s — but the fact that Zidane is here and Hannibal isn’t highlights what the later’s issue is, doesn’t it. Zidane is calmed on the field, he doesn’t run around too much, and so forth. Play Hannibal in a game in the PL and he could be the story of it — in a good or bad way. And under those conditions you don’t want a kid on the field. We saw with Guendozi in Arsenal how costly it can be.

And this is why I like what I saw from Hannibal in his last game so much. He focused more on his role. Taking care of his duties first and foremost. When he got that pinned down he can be given a chance in the PL because we can count on that his confidence won’t be blown by him costing us games and so forth. But from that point and forward — my bet is that his stock will sky rise. He really has a unique combination of abilities and someone with his attitude, the emotions he plays with, he will get noticed. He is so effective when he runs, can out pace most. He got a great passing foot. He can dribble.
Click to expand...

Zidane certainly took the chances he got in preseason games well. Of course, we don’t see training. What might also have played a role, though, is that Ten Hag was aiming to build around De Jong at the time. Iqbal was really the only candidate at the club with those qualities (calm amd collected, good at advancing with the ball from deep. Mejbri for Ten Hag I would imagine is more a candidate for playing the roles he already had Fred, McTominay, Bruno and Van de Beek for. Thus a loan might always been the best option for the player’s development.
 
Messier1994 said:
For sure, I think that Hannibal’s potential is much higher than Zidane’s — but the fact that Zidane is here and Hannibal isn’t highlights what the later’s issue is, doesn’t it. Zidane is calmed on the field, he doesn’t run around too much, and so forth. Play Hannibal in a game in the PL and he could be the story of it — in a good or bad way. And under those conditions you don’t want a kid on the field. We saw with Guendozi in Arsenal how costly it can be.

And this is why I like what I saw from Hannibal in his last game so much. He focused more on his role. Taking care of his duties first and foremost. When he got that pinned down he can be given a chance in the PL because we can count on that his confidence won’t be blown by him costing us games and so forth. But from that point and forward — my bet is that his stock will sky rise. He really has a unique combination of abilities and someone with his attitude, the emotions he plays with, he will get noticed. He is so effective when he runs, can out pace most. He got a great passing foot. He can dribble.
Click to expand...
Hannibal was much further in his development thats why he is on loan
 
Some high praise in those tweets. Any Birmingham fans in here able to tell us how he compares to Bellingham when he was in your side? Bellingham was probably two years younger though.
 
Nice to see. So happy he took the chance to go to the championship and play regularly.

I have no doubts he will come back next year ready to challenge for first team minutes. let's hope he can get fit and playing all season.
 
His best asset is his work rate and passion. Not always the best thing to say about a footballer but he does have quite a bit of ability to back it up.

I think any set of fans would love him at that level because he's a fighter, so difficult to read too much into that one way or the other.

I can't see him not getting a chance in the PL though. Even if not with United sooner or later there'd be 5-6 other teams who'd want to take him.
 
footballbite said:
Exactly.

It's not really much different from what I've seen of him in the reserves - it's mostly short simple passes, running around a lot, falling over and kicking people. The few times he tries anything more adventurous than a simple pass along the ground to a player in loads of space he overhits it.

I still don't really know what he's actually good at, or going to contribute at a high level to a senior team, aside from running around a lot and kicking people (and sometimes getting the ball as well)? He fouls more often than he wins the ball, his passing isn't anything special, he doesn't really score goals. The only thing that's slightly above average with him is his dribbling, but it's not really the most useful skill for a central midfielder to specialise in as silky but ultimately limited players like Barkley and Loftus-Cheek show.
Click to expand...
How often have you watched him? Serious question.

I ask because you're way off - the boy has ridiculously good long passing, brilliant short passing, is a very good dribbler, progresses the ball brilliantly, and is a bonafide grafter off the ball. We've often wondered whether he can translate that to men's football and now he's doing it
 
footballbite said:
Exactly.

It's not really much different from what I've seen of him in the reserves - it's mostly short simple passes, running around a lot, falling over and kicking people. The few times he tries anything more adventurous than a simple pass along the ground to a player in loads of space he overhits it.

I still don't really know what he's actually good at, or going to contribute at a high level to a senior team, aside from running around a lot and kicking people (and sometimes getting the ball as well)? He fouls more often than he wins the ball, his passing isn't anything special, he doesn't really score goals. The only thing that's slightly above average with him is his dribbling, but it's not really the most useful skill for a central midfielder to specialise in as silky but ultimately limited players like Barkley and Loftus-Cheek show.
Click to expand...

I think that his overall engine, how much of the field he can cover, how fast he can close down on the ball and get into open areas -- that is definitely world class.

I definitely think that his physic is fully compareable to were like Wilfried Zaha was at the same age. He will become even stronger and more explosive with age, but he can definitely get to a level were he manhandles opponents in battles for the ball.

You definitely have a point that his abilities have not always amounted to much on the field, to play regularly for us he can't have stretches were its "mostly short simple passes, running around a lot, falling over and kicking people".

But there are some unique combination of abilities in his game. If he puts everything together he will become a special player, no doubt.
 
Sea-Cow said:
I admit to being way wrong about a number of United players, but your post makes me question if you've actually ever watched highlights of him, or if you simply have insanely high expectations for a 19 year old kid! I agree that he is not without flaws and he could obviously look to add goals to his game, and obviously needs to work on his temper, but read those texts from Birmingham fans! That doesn't sound like they are watching the same player that you described in your post.

Eye of the beholder and all that but I see an extremely talented footballer when I watch those comp videos. I will be flabbergasted if he doesn't go on to have a wonderful career at top clubs.
Click to expand...

I have read those texts from Birmingham fans, but I also trust my eyes. Where is there a moment in those highlights when he does something especially good?! I also seem to recall Birmingham fans being pretty enthused with Chong when he first arrived there as well, plus it seems they might not even think he's their best current loan player.

I'm not just basing my opinion of him on his Birmingham appearances either btw, I haven't thought he was that effective a player at youth level either - he runs around like a maniac with tunnel vision, like Bruno Fernandes without the goalscoring, or creativity and range in his passing. A lot of huff and puff to little avail, and at times more of a liability.

Nothing to do with "insanely high expectations" - I think I've said this before but I reckon he's ultimately a mid-table La Liga player, maybe up to the level of a Real Betis who qualifies for the Europa League sometimes That's still pretty good, but it's just not Utd first team. Mainoo looks a bigger talent in CM and more likely to ultimately make it at Utd.

Glorio said:
How often have you watched him? Serious question.

I ask because you're way off - the boy has ridiculously good long passing, brilliant short passing, is a very good dribbler, progresses the ball brilliantly, and is a bonafide grafter off the ball. We've often wondered whether he can translate that to men's football and now he's doing it
Click to expand...

I would have seen probably 4 or 5 U21/FA Youth Cup games with him last season. Plus his first team cameos off the bench and in this pre-season.

I don't recall his supposed "ridiculously good long passing".

I also don't know what the "it" is he's doing yet in men's football given his performances so far for Birmingham?
 
Last edited:
footballbite said:
I have read those texts from Birmingham fans, but I also trust my eyes. Where is there a moment in those highlights when he does something especially good?! I also seem to recall Birmingham fans being pretty enthused with Chong when he first arrived there as well, plus it seems they might not even think he's their best current loan player.

I'm not just basing my opinion of him on his Birmingham appearances either btw, I haven't thought he was that effective a player at youth level either - he runs around like a maniac with tunnel vision, like Bruno Fernandes without the goalscoring, or creativity and range in his passing. A lot of huff and puff to little avail, and at times more of a liability.
Click to expand...
I can't think of many times he was a liability for the youth team. In fact, there were many performances where the rest of his teammates weren't great, but he still stood out. Effectiveness as a youth player is something that will always favor attacking players who directly impact the match in a quantifiable way (goal/assist).

Unlike Bruno (assuming we translate Bruno's relative performances to his teammates and compare that to Hannibal's relative performance to his teammates), Hannibal is usually a safer pair of hands. Bruno is far more hollywood style compared to Hannibal. So if you want more control, Hannibal would be the player to give you that compared to Bruno. Bruno has a bigger ceiling, but also the lower floor.

I don't see Hannibal as a Bruno type player anyways. Apart from having insane workrate, and being able to occupy #10 positions, the two have very different games as I stated. Hannibal is more of a midfielder, not an attacker. Bruno is just an attacker.
 
footballbite said:
I would have seen probably 4 or 5 U21/FA Youth Cup games with him last season. Plus his first team cameos off the bench and in this pre-season.

I don't recall his supposed "ridiculously good long passing".

I also don't know what the "it" is he's doing yet in men's football given his performances so far for Birmingham?
Click to expand...


So pre-season where he played as a centre forward, and a handful of games. That's painfully obvious from your views. Long passing is actually one of his strengths.

You actually know very little about Hannibal's game, so I wonder why you felt the need to comment with so much alacrity :wenger:
 
In Rainbows said:
I can't think of many times he was a liability for the youth team. In fact, there were many performances where the rest of his teammates weren't great, but he still stood out. Effectiveness as a youth player is something that will always favor attacking players who directly impact the match in a quantifiable way (goal/assist).

Unlike Bruno (assuming we translate Bruno's relative performances to his teammates and compare that to Hannibal's relative performance to his teammates), Hannibal is usually a safer pair of hands. Bruno is far more hollywood style compared to Hannibal. So if you want more control, Hannibal would be the player to give you that compared to Bruno. Bruno has a bigger ceiling, but also the lower floor.

I don't see Hannibal as a Bruno type player anyways. Apart from having insane workrate, and being able to occupy #10 positions, the two have very different games as I stated. Hannibal is more of a midfielder, not an attacker. Bruno is just an attacker.
Click to expand...
Hannibal reminds me of Modric or I'm just hoping he will be a Modric type of player.
 
footballbite said:
I have read those texts from Birmingham fans, but I also trust my eyes. Where is there a moment in those highlights when he does something especially good?! I also seem to recall Birmingham fans being pretty enthused with Chong when he first arrived there as well, plus it seems they might not even think he's their best current loan player.

I'm not just basing my opinion of him on his Birmingham appearances either btw, I haven't thought he was that effective a player at youth level either - he runs around like a maniac with tunnel vision, like Bruno Fernandes without the goalscoring, or creativity and range in his passing. A lot of huff and puff to little avail, and at times more of a liability.

Nothing to do with "insanely high expectations" - I think I've said this before but I reckon he's ultimately a mid-table La Liga player, maybe up to the level of a Real Betis who qualifies for the Europa League sometimes That's still pretty good, but it's just not Utd first team. Mainoo looks a bigger talent in CM and more likely to ultimately make it at Utd.



I would have seen probably 4 or 5 U21/FA Youth Cup games with him last season. Plus his first team cameos off the bench and in this pre-season.

I don't recall his supposed "ridiculously good long passing".

I also don't know what the "it" is he's doing yet in men's football given his performances so far for Birmingham?
Click to expand...
Fair enough mate. I think you're way off and that, as I said, he will have a great career way above the level of Real Betis. But what the f do I know, I thought Adnan Januzaj could be as good as Kaka.
 
Great to see a loan going well. I'm glad he's playing deeper, I think that's where he can be the best version of himself.
 
Wow a loan move that seems to be working...Hannibal should take credit for that! he has the fire inside that you need.
 
So as I understand it Birmingham were really bad last year and were 'favourites' to get relegated this year. So they're a team in need of consistency and the main goal is staying up?

I've had a casual look at the last 5 games stats, so does that explain why they are averaging way less possession than the opposition? I assume Hannibal is playing in a 3 man midfield and the team that is more combative and competitive than pure footballing at the moment?

He looks good in the compilations and is performing exactly what I had hoped of him tbh. Solid work rate/positioning on and off the ball with real flair, short incisive passing and fleet footed enough to beat presses and carry the ball. He could legit become an option for us next year if he continues his progress and gets games.
 
criticalanalysis said:
So as I understand it Birmingham were really bad last year and were 'favourites' to get relegated this year. So they're a team in need of consistency and the main goal is staying up?

I've had a casual look at the last 5 games stats, so does that explain why they are averaging way less possession than the opposition? I assume Hannibal is playing in a 3 man midfield and the team that is more combative and competitive than pure footballing at the moment?

He looks good in the compilations and is performing exactly what I had hoped of him tbh. Solid work rate/positioning on and off the ball with real flair, short incisive passing and fleet footed enough to beat presses and carry the ball. He could legit become an option for us next year if he continues his progress and gets games.
Click to expand...
Birmingham have been tipped for relegation this season, but they're currently playing well and it would be a surprise to see them relegated after their turn around in performances in recent weeks.

And as far as their approach to the game is concerned, their manager seems to have taken the pressing/counter pressing approach with a clear emphasis on a direct/vertical path towards goal in a high tempo, fast transition style which looks to bypass the midfield. So to execute the idea, the Birmingham manager requires his players to play with high intensity, which the Birmingham players (including Hannibal) have responded to. So it's less about possession but more about getting the ball forward quickly and trying to win the second ball high up the pitch via counter pressure if the move breaks down.

There's also talk of Derby County recalling their midfielder (Bielik) in January, which would be a bit of a blow to Birmingham due to Bielik being a very good DM for them. But there's been talk of Hannibal potentially filling the void as the deep lying play-maker with Chong and Bacuna either side of him in a 3 man midfield. And if that happens, then it would require Hannibal to alter his game slightly and maintain positional discipline and show a different skill-set with far more responsibility in a deeper role. And I think that would aid his development further.

Also from the games I've seen so far in the Championship, there's hardly any space to play the game due to how competitive the teams in the league seem to be.
 
Adnan said:
Birmingham have been tipped for relegation this season, but they're currently playing well and it would be a surprise to see them relegated after their turn around in performances in recent weeks.

And as far as their approach to the game is concerned, their manager seems to have taken the pressing/counter pressing approach with a clear emphasis on a direct/vertical path towards goal in a high tempo, fast transition style which looks to bypass the midfield. So to execute the idea, the Birmingham manager requires his players to play with high intensity, which the Birmingham players (including Hannibal) have responded to. So it's less about possession but more about getting the ball forward quickly and trying to win the second ball high up the pitch via counter pressure if the move breaks down.

There's also talk of Derby County recalling their midfielder (Bielik) in January, which would be a bit of a blow to Birmingham due to Bielik being a very good DM for them. But there's been talk of Hannibal potentially filling the void as the deep lying play-maker with Chong and Bacuna either side of him in a 3 man midfield. And if that happens, then it would require Hannibal to alter his game slightly and maintain positional discipline and show a different skill-set with far more responsibility in a deeper role. And I think that would aid his development further.

Also from the games I've seen so far in the Championship, there's hardly any space to play the game due to how competitive the teams in the league seem to be.
Click to expand...

Nice summary! Thanks.

I may try to watch one of their games someday then. I'm really interested in seeing how he progresses. He's one of the few youth talents over the years, I actually have an interest in, most probably because he seems to me the closest to proper long term first team material.
 
Glorio said:
So pre-season where he played as a centre forward, and a handful of games. That's painfully obvious from your views. Long passing is actually one of his strengths.

You actually know very little about Hannibal's game, so I wonder why you felt the need to comment with so much alacrity :wenger:
Click to expand...

I saw him play for the youth team the season prior to last as well. I think I've watched him enough to get a good understanding of his game. You watched every single Youth game of his last season did you?

You didn't answer my question in the last post either.
 
footballbite said:
I saw him play for the youth team the season prior to last as well. I think I've watched him enough to get a good understanding of his game. You watched every single Youth game of his last season did you?

You didn't answer my question in the last post either.
Click to expand...
You watched him play 4/5 games - that's not enough to have a good understanding of anyone's game. Surely, stepping away from the fact that you're in an online debate, even you must get that?


The "it" I refer to is influencing games from the middle of the park. Yes, he's gliding past them like they're not there and completely bossing whole games just yet, but he's getting there. And his influence for Birmingham is increasing game on game
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Surely the whole team played 3 games in a short space of time. So if he’s selected as the player to sit this out then that doesn’t reflect very well on him.

Did Chong start?
Click to expand...
I don't know, I guess we should see what the Birmingham manager John Eustace says about Hannibal and if it reflects well on him.

John Eustace: "The way he has played in the last couple of games has been phenomenal. He has broken records for total distance, all that kind of stuff. It was important we also used the squad. [Juninho] Bacuna came in today and did well and Hanni came on for that last half hour and was very good.

“I have said it is a squad game, everyone will be used, we are certainty stretched at the moment but it’s important everyone gets that opportunity to play and feel wanted.”

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sp...ingham-city-blackburn-rovers-eustace-25330344

John Eustace: "has praised Hannibal Mejbri’s attitude after being made to wait for his first start for Birmingham City."

"He is a cracking young player, we are very fortunate to have him here,” the head coach said. “The most pleasing thing is that work-rate. He has come from Manchester United with a big reputation. But to earn the right to play, earn the right to do anything you have to work hard. And to play in this team as well you need a team of workers."

He has come in, he has shown he is very hungry, he has got that desire to work hard, the effort is there. He is doing very well at the moment. I haven’t seen him tired yet.

“All he does is gives me the thumbs up, I don’t think he understands what I am saying ‘Yes coach, no problems’. Listen, he’s obviously a talent, let’s hope he just continues that, there are going to be times when he has to come out of the team, going to have to be rested with rotations but at the moment he is playing fantastically well. I think the lads are really enjoying playing with him.”

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sp...ley-john-eustace-25306421#amp-readmore-target

He seems to be doing well according to the Birmingham manager and it seems he's breaking distance covered records in the process.
 
Last edited:
Glorio said:
You watched him play 4/5 games - that's not enough to have a good understanding of anyone's game. Surely, stepping away from the fact that you're in an online debate, even you must get that?


The "it" I refer to is influencing games from the middle of the park. Yes, he's gliding past them like they're not there and completely bossing whole games just yet, but he's getting there. And his influence for Birmingham is increasing game on game
Click to expand...

That was last season. I'd have also seen him in some games in the season prior to that but as it was a while ago I can't tell if it was say 2 or 5.

You've also not mentioned how many games of his you've supposedly watched?...

I didn't see him "bossing" games at youth level. He puts himself about a lot, and is sometimes a driving force in the team, but not to a degree that seemed hugely remarkable; he's not shone to me in the same way as others I've seen at youth level and didn't seem that much better than those around him. Of course the minutes have also been more limited but I also later didn't think he coped as well in his brief first team cameos as his peers did of late.

Plus how can his influence for Birmingham be "increasing game on game" when they just benched him?

My intention was not to have an "online debate" anyway, I was just posting my opinion.
 
Last edited:
Adnan said:
I don't know, I guess we should see what the Birmingham manager John Eustace says about Hannibal and if it reflects well on him.

John Eustace: "The way he has played in the last couple of games has been phenomenal. He has broken records for total distance, all that kind of stuff. It was important we also used the squad. [Juninho] Bacuna came in today and did well and Hanni came on for that last half hour and was very good.

“I have said it is a squad game, everyone will be used, we are certainty stretched at the moment but it’s important everyone gets that opportunity to play and feel wanted.”

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sp...ingham-city-blackburn-rovers-eustace-25330344

John Eustace: "has praised Hannibal Mejbri’s attitude after being made to wait for his first start for Birmingham City."

"He is a cracking young player, we are very fortunate to have him here,” the head coach said. “The most pleasing thing is that work-rate. He has come from Manchester United with a big reputation. But to earn the right to play, earn the right to do anything you have to work hard. And to play in this team as well you need a team of workers."

He has come in, he has shown he is very hungry, he has got that desire to work hard, the effort is there. He is doing very well at the moment. I haven’t seen him tired yet.

“All he does is gives me the thumbs up, I don’t think he understands what I am saying ‘Yes coach, no problems’. Listen, he’s obviously a talent, let’s hope he just continues that, there are going to be times when he has to come out of the team, going to have to be rested with rotations but at the moment he is playing fantastically well. I think the lads are really enjoying playing with him.”

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sp...ley-john-eustace-25306421#amp-readmore-target

He seems to be doing well according to the Birmingham manager and it seems he's breaking distance covered records in the process.
Click to expand...

Ok, cool. Those are great quotes alright.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Ok, cool. Those are great quotes alright.
Click to expand...
He's doing well but it does seem like his game time will be managed due to his age. And I think Eustace has done well introducing him into the team gradually and then taking him back out. I think that's good management.
 
He will come back next season and swap with Scott and maybe Fred. Just made a running distance record and has bulked up. Right place for him this season.
 
footballbite said:
That was last season. I'd have also seen him in some games in the season prior to that but as it was a while ago I can't tell if it was say 2 or 5.

You've also not mentioned how many games of his you've supposedly watched?...
Click to expand...

A lot more than 2 or 5 incidentally, I watched most games he played over the past couple of seasons, including those for his NT.

I didn't see him "bossing" games at youth level. He puts himself about a lot, and is sometimes a driving force in the team, but not to a degree that seemed hugely remarkable; he's not shone to me in the same way as others I've seen at youth level and didn't seem that much better than those around him. Of course the minutes have also been more limited but I also later didn't think he coped as well in his brief first team cameos as his peers did of late.
Click to expand...
I've seen him bossing games loads of times with the opposition resorting to all sorts of means to stop him.

What first team cameos are you referring to? The pre-season ones where ETH was experimenting with him as a CF? He's an 8 who can also play on the left and can manage on the right. One thing he isn't is a CF. Incidentally ETH didn't have a lot of options there, and so he experimented, and it's no wonder he didn't have as much impact as he usually does. ETH tried the same with the much more experienced, established Eriksen and we all saw how that went.

If you're referring to his appearances for the senior last season, like the current plight of our current crop of youngsters, they were almost non-existent.
Plus how can his influence for Birmingham be "increasing game on game" when they just benched him?
Click to expand...
He is increasing in influence and the Birmingham fans are taking to him. He is however a teenager who is playing for the first time in a league as physical and intense as where he is now, and so his minutes must be managed carefully.
 
Glorio said:
A lot more than 2 or 5 incidentally, I watched most games he played over the past couple of seasons, including those for his NT.
Click to expand...

4-5 last season, and 2-5 the season before, so from 6-10 in total.

That's a bit nuts, especially if you're also watching Tunisia matches for him. It seems like you're someone with even more time on your hands than even me! You also sound a bit like you're overly invested in him doing well and are perhaps even a tad obsessed - it could be making you overly biased. Are you his agent or something?! Or Tunisian / Parisian?

Glorio said:
If you're referring to his appearances for the senior last season, like the current plight of our current crop of youngsters, they were almost non-existent.
Click to expand...

If you actually read my comments you'll see that I already said both his appearances in pre-season and the times he came off the bench for the first team - so that was 2 PL games last season, vs Palace and Liverpool.

And even if he was out of position in pre-season you can still tell things from his general movement and sharpness; I thought he seemed more off the pace of the game and behind play than someone like Iqbal when he featured.
 
I think the most promising thing so far with this loan is that he only has 2 yellows, and no reds.

People were perhaps right to wonder if he would be a liability due to his temper, and so far he has not been at all. I saw in one of the highlights that he reacted childishly on the sidelines and pushed a guy in the back, but I think that will go away as he gets older.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.