Those who followed Morocco’s recent World Cup campaign will recognise the name Ayyoub Bouaddi. Perhaps those who only took a passing glance will remember him, too. He tends to stand out.
Aside from his throwback curly mop of hair, the way he dominated the big stage with effortless grace over the summer got people talking. The Lille midfielder excelled in his fledgling role at his first major international tournament, particularly noticeable in a group-stage bout with Brazil.
But this was not the first time Carlo Ancelotti found himself ruminating over an opposition side who were “better in the duels” than his own.
Ancelotti’s Brazilian midfield was comprised of the experienced Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes, and yet somehow it was Bouaddi that beamed brightest. It struck a familiar chord.
Bouaddi shone against Brazil at the World Cup
The French-born youngster made his competitive debut for Lille in 2023, just three days after his 16th birthday. On the day he turned 17, he embarked on his full Champions League debut to help his side beat then-European holders Real Madrid. Ancelotti’s Real.
That result ended the European giants’ 14-game unbeaten run in the competition, as Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham were contained by an “incredible” performance from a player barely anyone outside of France had heard of. He covered more ground than any player on the pitch.
That was the night, as Lille manager Bruno Genesio described it, the precocious young talent “made a name for himself”. Ancelotti’s praise since has extended as far as to call him “one of the best young players in the world”.
Bouaddi’s radar has been steadily sounding from then. Scouts have flocked from afar to watch him; Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich among his admirers. But the race appears to have been won by Manchester City as they seek to soften the blow of the likely scenario where Rodri exits this summer.
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With Rodri linked with a move away from Manchester City, Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom discusses whether Bouaddi could be brought in to replace the midfielder
Bouaddi, still only 18, has proved beyond doubt that his raw potential is somewhat more rarefied than his teenage years suggest. He out-ranked every club team-mate for possession wins (151) last season. His recovery wins per 90 (5.8) were top, too.
As it’s understood, Enzo Maresca wants to integrate the Morocco international into his squad immediately, believing firmly in his Premier League readiness given he has already made close to 100 competitive appearances for Lille.
So, what does he offer? Bouaddi functions as a deep-lying controller, in the template of Rodri. He’s much more of a tactical anchor than Elliot Anderson, signed for £116 from Nottingham Forest this summer, who is more of a box-to-box runner. Such a combination should prove complimentary in Maresca’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system.
Few of Bouaddi’s age possess such a rare blend of physicality off the ball and poise and balance in possession. His accelerated experience has given him a competitive advantage over most peers of a similar age range.
He’s tall and strong but can also glide – again, akin to Rodri’s ability to escape pressure – making him an excellent carrier of the ball over distances. His passing display at the World Cup was yet more evidence of his suitability for City and the possession-heavy style Maresca favours.
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Who could leave and who could sign for Man City during the summer transfer window?
Rayan Cherki, a team-mate of Bouaddi in France’s development teams, once dubbed him ‘Einstein’. A badge of honour from one so technically gifted himself.
Why move now, then? City’s ongoing rebuild necessitated the purchase of two midfielders, whether it was this window or next. Maresca needs the qualitative depth to meet the demands of a season across 60-plus games. The loss of Bernardo Silva and Rodri, should his move materialise, significantly shifts the dynamic and structure of a squad that requires greater balance. Tijjani Reijnders could leave too.
In Bouaddi, Maresca has found himself a defensive midfielder with very few weaknesses, both a receiver and a carrier. With preparedness but also room to grow. A player who competed for France at every youth level before switching his allegiance to Morocco because of a hunger to compete and play.
As with every new Premier League arrival, a period of adaptation will be required. That much is certain. Ligue 1 has often proved a tough leap.
But Bouaddi has not been targeted for future iterations of Manchester City; he is being signed for now. Evidence suggests he is ready to fulfil that duty.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
