Chebel, 29, arrived in Wellington on Saturday after representing Algeria in two internationals against Nigeria and is hoping to make her A-League debut in the Nix\u2019s home opener against Canberra United this Sunday.
She hails from Canada, where she played football at Concordia University before spells in the top divisions in Kazakhstan, France, Norway and most recently Brazil, where she played for the famed Flamengo club in Rio.
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple \u201clooked at 50 plus centre backs\u201d before coming across the left-footed Chebel.
\u201cI was getting very picky,\u201d Temple said. \u201cI was pretty convinced I needed a centre back that was really balanced on that left-hand side, and somebody that could play out from the back and play our style.
\u201cWith Imane not only are we getting the player that fits our style on the pitch, but we\u2019re getting a really experienced and mature person off of it as well.\u201d
And Temple is delighted with the depth he now has in the heart of defence.
\u201cImane is another really high quality centre back, adding to the ones that we\u2019ve already got.
\u201cWe\u2019ve got Mackenzie Barry, Rebecca Lake and Tiana Jaber who are the centre backs in the squad that have proven themselves at this level, and we\u2019ve got Ella McMillan coming through as an up and coming defender.
\u201cNo matter what the combination is of those five we\u2019re pretty confident we\u2019ll put out a strong backline, and there\u2019ll be competition for places which is always good when you\u2019re trying to push the team into playoff contention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wellingtonphoenix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2024\/11\/Chebel-Algeria.jpg?w=1200\")
Imane Chebel is looking forward to playing football on her sixth continent, having already played in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.
\u201cI\u2019d never been to this part of the world so I thought it would be a great experience and a great challenge to try something completely different,\u201d Chebel said.
\u201cWhen I spoke to Paul, I really liked his ideas and I liked how he sees the game. I really related to him.
\u201cAnd I think the A-League is a growing league and I\u2019ve heard a lot about it over the last few months, how it\u2019s getting better and better.\u201d
Chebel believes she can bring a lot to the Nix.
\u201cI like to be on the ball and play out from the back.
\u201cI guess I\u2019m a smart player and I\u2019m experienced so hopefully I can bring that and every little thing I\u2019ve picked up in different countries to the Phoenix.\u201d
And even though she is still getting to know her new teammates she\u2019s putting her hand up to make her club and A-League debut this weekend.
\u201cHonestly, I\u2019m feeling good. I\u2019m so motivated by this new challenge that I feel ready.
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have said yes to joining the Phoenix if I didn\u2019t feel like I was ready to take on this new challenge.
\u201cMy time with the national team kind of gave me an extra boost and now I feel more ready.\u201d
Imane Chebel will wear the no. 5 shirt for Wellington Phoenix and is the 21st<\/sup> player confirmed in the women\u2019s squad for the 2024-25 season.
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