Martin Jol has revealed that Rafik Halliche is set to leave Fulham after an unhappy year at Craven Cottage.
The Algerian centre back joined Fulham from Benfica for £1.3m after a successful World Cup in South Africa. Having starred as the Algerians qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 24 years, Halliche played all three group games at the finals, including an impressive performance in the goalless draw with England.
His Fulham career amounted to two substitute appearances. His first saw him concede a penalty, for tripping Craig Makail-Smith, in the 6-2 FA Cup third round win over Peterborough and in January and his second came as a replacement for the injured Aaron Hughes against Stoke later in the same month. He has been frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities, which were further limited by the emergence of Philippe Senderos towards the end of last season.
Jol confirmed in his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s opening league game against Aston Villa that Halliche would be allowed to leave the club:
We’ll try to get something for him because he’s an international player who looks good, and if I was in Europe I would take him.
