Have a Look Europe, a Useful Iranian: Ali Karimi

This is the start of a new series where I take a look at some of the top Iranian players who could be a good buy for some of the top clubs in Europe.

Being half Iranian myself, I have always had great pride in my fellow Iranian footballers, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that there are some really talented Iranian players out there, and ones who can definitely cut it at a top European club.

And who better to start with than the 2004 Asian player of the Year, the "Asian Maradona" (dubbed by newspapers all over the world). Well, Mohammed Ali Karimi Pashaki is his real name, or just Ali Karimi for short.

Karimi, who is currently the vice-captain of the Iranian national football team (Team Melli), is currently plying his trade at Persepolis FC, who are the best team in the IPL (Iran Pro League) alongside Esteghlal FC.

The midfielder’s previous clubs include; Al-Ahli of the UAE, Qatar SC of Qatar, and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, with whom he was only the third ever Iranian player to play, following in the footsteps of Iranian legends Ali Daei and Vahid Hashemian. He started his professional career at Persepolis, and has now returned to the club seven years after leaving them.

It was with Persepolis that Karimi first rose to fame. His fantastic performances for “The Reds”, and Team Melli during their 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign, led to serious interest from a host of top European sides, with Atlético Madrid coming close to securing his signature. Karimi shunned the European interest and chose to play for Al-Ahli, saying that he wanted to stay close to Iran.

His performances continued to get better and better in the UAE, and also with Team Melli, and in 2005 this prompted a bid from Bundesliga big boys, Bayern Munich. With Iranian football fans crazy with excitement, the two seasons he would spend at the club would turn out to be something of an anti-climax.

Coupled with his persistent injuries and lack of form, his relationship with then Bayern coach Felix Magath, and Ottmar Hitzfeld after that, meant that Karimi became a bench regular, making only 33 appearances in all competitions, over two seasons.

On 3rd July 2007, he came back to the Middle East and signed for Qatar Sports Club, on a contract worth around £3.2million over two years. He went back to his pre-Bayern days and continued to have several impressive performances, prompting bids from the top clubs in Iran, Australia, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Qatar SC held on to him, turning down bids from teams in these countries. However, there’s no need for Europe’s elite to worry—in Karimi’s contract with Qatar SC, there is a clause allowing him to return to Europe at any time should he want to go.

And although now he has decided to return on loan to Persepolis, there is no need for Europe’s elite to be concerned about his availability. He still has his contract with Qatar SC, and that clause is still there.

The player himself seemingly wants to return to Europe, and there is nothing to lose for Europe’s elite, as by signing him they are giving him the chance to showcase his extraordinary dribbling and ball skills.

For Team Melli, he has no trouble showcasing these skills; the playmaker is always part of the manager’s plans, and he has the caps to prove it. At 29 years of age, he has amassed 109 appearances for Iran, scoring 33 goals. An impressive statistic that shows he is capable on the international stage as well as the club stage.

So all in all, he would be a great buy for a top European club. No transfer fee involved, easily available, previous experience at the best team in Germany, the ability to unlock defences and gift teammates several goals, the ability to score quite a few himself (he’s a versatile player, anywhere in midfield or up front).

There really is nothing to lose for a top six EPL, La Liga or Serie A side. So go ahead Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, if you need a midfielder, Ali Karimi is your man.