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Everything you need to know about new signing Mohamed Ihattaren

By James Cormack

EINDHOVEN - Mohamed Ihattaren of PSV Eindhoven during the friendly match between PSV Eindhoven and PAOK FC at Phillips Stadium on July 14, 2021 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. ANP JEROEN PUTMANS (Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images)
EINDHOVEN - Mohamed Ihattaren of PSV Eindhoven during the friendly match between PSV Eindhoven and PAOK FC at Phillips Stadium on July 14, 2021 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. ANP JEROEN PUTMANS (Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images) /
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Stuttering progress

Roger Schmidt didn’t stand for Ihattaren’s ill discipline. (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Roger Schmidt didn’t stand for Ihattaren’s ill discipline. (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

After enjoying his breakout campaign under van Bommel in 2019/20, Ihattaren would go on to notch barely 1,000 Eredivisie minutes the following season – notching a mere five goal contributions in the process.

There were several factors to the teenager’s sharp decline in Eindhoven. The first being the death of his father following a battle with cancer in October 2019. As we noted earlier, Mostapha was a huge influence and inspiration to Mohamed and this tragedy deeply affected the teenager at a crucial point in his career.

Ihattaren’s discipline started to diminish and his attitude became an issue for new manager Roger Schmidt and the PSV hierarchy. He was usurped by Tottenham academy graduate Noni Madueke in Schmidt’s starting XI and the midfielder didn’t appear desperate to win back his starting place.

Ahead of a heavyweight clash with Ajax in February 2021, Ihattaren was left out of Schmidt’s matchday squad. PSV released an official statement confirming the news before the game, which read: “Our entire staff, all the players and the board did everything to support Ihattaren and make him valuable at PSV.

“He didn’t take that opportunity though. Therefore PSV decided to keep the 19-year-old midfielder out of the squad against Ajax. On Thursday he didn’t act professionally.

“Lack of motivation, lack of discipline. Therefore we took this decision.”

After this, Ihattaren would make just four appearances (all as a substitute) in PSV’s final ten league games.

Raiola influence

Ihattaren is represented by the infamous Mino Raiola. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Ihattaren is represented by the infamous Mino Raiola. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images) /

Ihattaren is represented by super-agent Mino Raiola, who certainly didn’t help his situation in Eindhoven.

Following his client’s omission from the squad to play Ajax, Raiola said to Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf (via Goal): “I don’t agree with that statement or the decision [to keep him out of the squad]. I think the coach has lost his way when he has to justify his reasons with the players,” he said.

“It’s better to stay at home if that’s the case. Is he going to take his wife next week to let her say how she feels about his decisions? I’ve never seen this before and it makes no sense.

“From what I’ve heard, the players don’t even approve of it.”

Way to ease the tension, Mino.

Things then reached breaking point in the summer when Ihattaren was axed from the squad for disciplinary reasons. The midfielder was spotted at Nice’s training ground with Raiola despite being officially absent from PSV training due to ‘illness’. There was no way back for Ihattaren after that.

Despite his baggage, Juventus have opted to take a low-risk punt on the enigmatic creator.

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