20 Iranian PGL players to watch – Part 2

Persianfootball.com – TEHRAN, Only four days to go until Persian Gulf League 2015/16 begins. We bring get you into the right mood with the second of three part’s of Dara Zarandi’s look at the 20 most interesting PGL players of the upcoming season, featuring spots 14-8.

Find the first part, covering position 20-15, here: https://www.persianfootball.com/news/2015/07/23/20-iranian-pgl-players-to-watch-part-1/

#14 – Saeed Lotfi
Age: 23
Position: Right back/Left back
Club: Naft Tehran

One of many raw talents utilized by Alireza Mansourian, the young full back proved to be one of the most polished and complete defenders in the league last season. Full of energy, strength, and stamina, Saeed is one of the most worthy candidates to fill the current void for Team Melli’s current left back problem. Lotfi was called up to Iran’s U23 team in 2012 when Mansourian was in charge of the team and was primarily used as a left back. Mansourian wasted little time in getting re-connected with him by making Saeed one of his first signings when arriving to Naft Tehran last summer. Mansourian’s trust he invested in Lotfi tremendously paid off throughout the 2014-15 PGL season and in the 2015 Asian Champions League, playing an integral role in what was considered by many to be the strongest defensive line in Iran.

#13 – Behnam Barzay

Age: 22
Position: Striker/Winger
Club: Esteghlal

Those who are familiar with Barzay were likely not surprised when the young forward was recently linked with a move to La Liga outfit Getafe CF. The current Iran U23 captain has managed to score 7 goals in 12 appearances for his country. Newly appointed Esteghlal head coach Parviz Mazloomi has big plans for the young star which is likely the reason he didn’t even allow Behnam to fly to Spain to pursue his trial offer with Getafe. Perhaps that isn’t much of a shock when looking at the group of youngsters brought in by Mazloomi who is looking to change the image of the aging Esteghlal team he took charge of a month ago – kicking out old timers such as Gholamreza Enayati, Hashem Beikzadeh, Amirhossein Sadeghi, and more. Behnam’s experience and consistency on the international level is one of several major upsides of having him in your roster. Barzay’s combination of technical abilities, blistering shots, and quickness proves him to be a really rare talent. If he can manage to have a goal per game ratio at Esteghlal similar to that of his U23 stint, don’t be surprised to see Behnam in Queiroz’s future plans for Team Melli.

#12 – Hojat Haghverdi
Age: 22
Position: CB
Club: Zob Ahan

One of the more under rated central defenders in Iran, Hojat broke into Zob Ahan’s starting line-up towards the end of the 2014-15 season. Hojat is a physically strong and high IQ guy – two of the more important attributes any successful defender needs. His ability to read the game in front of him is quite remarkable for someone as inexperienced as him. With all the recent success Zob Ahan has able to achieve in the last 6 months, don’t be surprised to see that run continue with players like Haghverdi on the team.

#11 – Rouzbeh Cheshmi
Age: 24
Position: CDM/CB
Club: Esteghlal

Standing at an impressive height of 6 feet 3 inches tall, Cheshmi could make a great case to become Javad Nekounam’s successor in Team Melli if he can impress the way he did last season with Saba. Similarly to Daneshgar, versatility is something one can easily associate with Cheshmi as he is often played as both a defensive midfielder and as a central defender. To add to his physique, Cheshmi is a major threat on set pieces and is able to hold the back line well. Sounds a bit similar to Amirhossein Sadeghi, doesn’t he? After taking Sadeghi’s spot in Esteghlal, perhaps Team Melli could be next? That’ll be up to Queiroz to decide, but when seeing how the aging back line of Team Melli is in need of some young blood, the chances of seeing Cheshmi in the mix is quite good.

#- 10 Saman Narimanjahan
Age: 24
Position: Forward/Attacking Midfielder
Club: Tractor Sazi

A key element of Tractor Sazi’s successful 2014-15 PGL campaign, Narimanjahan’s ability to create opportunities for his team mates is impressive to say the least. You can say he is one of those guys that makes everyone around him a better player. Scoring a hat trick against Esteghlal in Azadi Stadium to keep his team’s title hopes alive isn’t to shabby either. With an improved squad, it would be fair to expect him to increase his scoring tally from last season. Able to play pretty much anywhere on the forward line or as an attacking midfielder, Saman’s consistent play was noticed by Queiroz when he invited the Tractor Sazi forward to take part in Team Melli’s extended camp in Tehran a little over a month ago.

#9 – Ahmad Nourollahi
Age: 22
Position: CDM/CM
Club: Persepolis

Nourollahi was brought in by former Persepolis head coach Ali Daie prior to the start of the 2014-15 PGL season from Foolad Yazd. Dubbed by some to be the next Karim Bagheri, a fantastic first season with Persepolis proved Ahmad’s combination of strength, technical abilities, and rocket-like shooting is enough to solidify his spot with the Reds for the next 2 seasons. With Queiroz looking for a replacement for former Team Melli skipper Javad Nekounam, there is a good chance Ahmad will be given an opportunity to showcase his abilities.

#8 – Mehdi Torabi
Age: 20
Position: RB/RM/LM/RW/LW
Club: Saipa

Mehdi is yet another one of those extremely versatile utility players that Carlos Queiroz will definitely look to exploit going forward. He has the hustle of a young Pejman Nouri and the explosiveness we see in guys like Vouria Ghafouri. His team, Saipa, has gotten a lot stronger this season and he will have a lot of room to grow and become the great player he has the potential to be. Most Team Melli fans probably already saw his game winning goal vs Uzbekistan on his Team Melli debut which perhaps turned a few heads which is a prime example of the drive and hunger we see in this young kid. Mehdi is definitely worth keeping an eye on this season.