Wizard Taarabt left Martin Jol spellbound

Martin Jol fell under the spell of QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt so totally that he tried to sign him three times.


The Dutchman was in charge of ­Tottenham when they brought the man known as ‘The Wizard’ to England as a temperamental teenager.


Jol was so impressed with the Moroccan’s talents that following his north London exit, he tried to take him to two other clubs.


Only Spurs’ hefty price-tag prevented 22-year-old Taarabt from teaming up with Jol twice more.




They come face-to-face today with Jol fearing the man who once saved his skin. He explained: “Damien Camolli recommended him but I knew about him and wanted to sign him for Spurs. He was a gamble and unfortunately didn’t break through.


“After I went abroad I tried to sign him at Ajax and with Hamburg but they ­wanted too much for him – or maybe I just wanted him on the cheap. He never played 90 ­minutes in the first team at Tottenham but he saved our necks against West Ham when we beat them 4-3 in the League Cup.


“He came on and nutmegged somebody, as he likes to, and won a free-kick that Berbatov scored to make it 3-3. Paul Stalteri scored the winner.”


Such talent is what made Neil Warnock take Taarabt to Loftus Road but it has not all been plain sailing.


“He didn’t frustrate me, he made me happy,” Jol said.


“But I can imagine Neil will be frustrated if he keeps on doing the same things.


“He has varied his game now. He’s playing one-touch, two-touch and he’s getting better and better. He’s one of the best No.10s around.”






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TAARABT FAN DANNY MURPHY

The picture is not from the source.

DANNY MURPHY fears Fulham could be sunk tomorrow by a player he wanted at Craven Cottage.

QPR’s star midfielder Adel Taarabt was a team-mate of Murphy during his spell at Tottenham five years ago.

The Moroccan had just arrived at White Hart Lane and Murphy was so impressed he later tried to get ex-boss Roy Hodgson to sign him for Fulham.

Instead Taarabt ended up at QPR, where he scored 19 goals in his first season.

“He had a superb temperament,” Murphy said. “If he got kicked he never moaned. 

“He had a strong mentality and he’s reaping his rewards now, so he’s probably destined for bigger and better things.

“We’ve got to deal with him on Sunday, so we’ll have to be careful.”

Fulham could bring back Bobby Zamora for the visit of QPR with two-goal Europa League hero Andy Johnson potentially dropping out.

But Murphy is hoping Johnson will shake off any disappointment and sign a new long-term deal.

dailystar

Neil Warnock lift for Adel Taarabt

ADEL TAARABT has been reassured he is still QPR's main man.

The Moroccan maestro led Rangers to the Championship title last term.

But new signing Joey Barton was immediately given the captain's armband and the club's glut of other big-name arrivals have also pushed Taarabt out of the limelight.

Hoops boss Neil Warnock insists, though, temperamental Taarabt, 22, remains his team's star player.

Warnock, whose side face west London neighbours Fulham tomorrow, said: "Adel's been the main man. He is our shining light and has been instrumental to where we are now.

"He's played well this season. Having the other players in has given him a lift because he is just concentrating on playing. I think you can see how hard he is trying."

Ex-Spurs ace Taarabt missed out on a big-money move to Paris St-Germain when it broke down in the summer. Warnock added: "The ability that Adel has got is not in question.

"He's got to put the other part into his game and is trying hard to do that. I've said to him if you look at the top clubs like Barcelona, all the players work their socks off.

"I don't think he is thinking about his next move — not now. I think he just wants to play well and keep his position in the team. He is a lovely lad, trains hard — that's how he is."

Warnock last night slammed Manchester City bad-boy Carlos Tevez and said: "He's done himself a load of harm.

"There are many English and foreign players who kiss the badge when really all they are bothered about is how much they take home at the end of the day.

"I think the sooner he leaves the country the better."

thesun

Arsenal Plan £12m January Bid for QPR Playmaker Adel Taarabt

Arsene Wenger will reportedly attempt to lure Qpr youngster Adel Taarabt into a move from West to North London this January. The Arsenal boss is looking for further creative midfield options having lost Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in the summer and has earmarked a move for the Moroccan

Sevilla see QPR ace Taarabt as ideal Negredo partner

Sevilla are ling up a January move for QPR attacking midfielder Adel Taarabt.

Diario de Seville says Sevilla coach Marcelino wants to pair Taarabt in attack with in-form centre-forward Alvaro Negredo.

Taarabt is demanding new contract talks at QPR, which have been shot down by manager Neil Warnock. The midfielder has also lost the captaincy this season to former Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton.

Sevilla's pursuit of Taarabt may end their plans to prise Giovani dos Santos away from Tottenham.

tribalfootball

QPR facing month without star man Taarabt

QPR manager Neil Warnock could lose star midfielder Adel Taarabt for a crucial month in January as Morocco want him back in their squad.

The temperamental 22-year-old walked out on his country after an African Cup of Nations qualifier in June after being asked to be a substitute and he vowed never to return to the side under manager Eric Gerets.

But, with Morocco top of their group and nearing qualification for the finals, Gerets has named the talented forward in his preliminary squad to face Tanzania in October.

"I could not kill Taarabt's international career and that is why I have called him back into the squad but we have still not addressed the issue," Gerets said.

"He is young and I hope he has the right reaction. When I was young I also made crazy decisions so I will definitely not close the door on him.

"I really love him because he creates a good environment but I want to talk to him and he has to grow."

Neil Warnock recently revealed his joy that Fabio Capello was continuing to overlook Joey Barton for England duty and losing Taraabt for what could be up to six weeks will come as a blow to the R's.

talksport

Gerets wants Taarabt talks

Moroccan coach wants meeting with QPR star

Moroccan coach Eric Gerets insists he is yet to patch up his differences with Queens Park Rangers ace Adel Taarabt.

Taarabt fell out with Gerets earlier this year and walked out of the squad, insisting he would not play for them again under the Belgian.

Now Gerets has included him in his squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania next month.

But despite this Gerets says he still needs to talk things over with the QPR star.

"It has not been sorted out so far. I want him to know he did a huge stupid thing," Gerets toldFranceFootball.

"He is very young, and I can't kill his international career. When I was young, I did blunders too. I don't definitely close the door, he will come back.

"Moreover, I like him. He is a clown, putting good atmosphere in the group. You need boys like that, and considering his talent, I am keen to talk with him and his agent."

skysports