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Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat says he’s in no rush to try and re-sign midfielder Fahid Ben Khalfallah when his contract expires at the end of the A-League season.
The former Tunisian international playmaker started the season off the bench after only arriving in September from French outfit Troyes.
But after finding his fitness he has emerged as a key figure in a Victory side that boasts the best attack in the competition spearheaded by Besart Berisha, Archie Thompson and Kosta Barbarouses.
At 32 the French-born Ben Khalfallah is closer to the end of his career than the start.
But he was the stand-out player in the Victory’s 3-0 win over the Central Coast on Friday night, starting the game in the middle of midfield before switching to the right.
After spending his entire career in France highlighted by a big money move to Bordeaux in 2010 where he won the French Cup, Ben Khalfallah’s touch and vision were a joy to behold against the Mariners.
Muscat said he was delighted with his recent form but claimed it was too early to start discussing a contract extension with just under a third of the season played.
“He was good, he causes lots of problems,” Muscat said.
“We asked him to play a different position tonight and he did well for the team.
“He has been here a period now … and I am not surprised at how he’s settled because he is a very good footballer.
“He’s played some good stuff in recent weeks but there is not need to get carried away.
“We are only nine games in and we are very happy with the output from him so far. But it’s not an individual that makes this team tick.”
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