Ayyoub Bouaddi is one of the hottest properties of the transfer market. And it’s easy to see why Arsenal and Manchester City are showing an interest.
At the age of 18, Bouaddi is already an established senior player for both club and country. The midfielder has already amassed 63 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille and eight caps for Morocco.
Bouaddi played five of Morocco’s six games at the World Cup, announcing himself on the biggest stage.
Bouaddi isn’t the flashiest of midfielders or even a phenomenal ball-winner. But he’s a player who keeps things ticking over, showing technical quality in deep areas to help his team build out from the back.
It’s scary to think where Bouaddi could be in five, even 10 years time. And that’s why clubs like Arsenal and Man City might be looking to bet on his potential.
Ayyoub Bouaddi analysis:
Bouaddi’s profile
Bouaddi often plays as a deep midfielder, but he’s capable of driving forward with the ball. He’s comfortable receiving in tight spaces in deep areas, making it easy for his side to build out from the back.
The Moroccan international isn’t the most progressive passer of a ball and prefers to keep things ticking over. Despite that, he’s a progressive player in the way he likes to carry the ball from deep, taking players on to evade pressure and break lines.
Bouaddi is capable of playing different roles in midfield, and as he develops and evolves, it will be interesting to see what position he lands in. For Morocco at the World Cup, Bouaddi played in the No.6, but also further forward as a No.8.
At this stage of his development, Bouaddi does suit both roles. He’s capable of receiving with his back to goal from deep and turning on the ball to play forward. He’s also able to play in the No.8 in order to utilise his ball-carrying ability more often, getting into more dangerous areas of the pitch.
Sky-high potential
For Bouaddi to be so confident in possession at senior level at the age of 18 is almost unheard of. The Moroccan international was also showing this at the age of 17 in Ligue 1.
Bouaddi made his Uefa Conference League debut at the age of 16 years and three days, while his Ligue 1 debut came just weeks later.
What Bouaddi has done in senior football is sometimes not even achieved by many at the age of 20. The 18-year-old has already played 25 times in European competitions, while playing almost 100 senior games for Lille.
Many players would be happy to have the ability of Bouaddi in their prime years, but in reality, the Lille midfielder might not reach his full potential for another 10 years. That shows the level of potential he has in him.
The likes of Arsenal and Man City won’t be considering purchasing Bouaddi for what he can produce now, but in the future. Despite that, he’s a player already capable of playing at Premier League level, so it’s scary to think what level he’s going to be at in a few years’ time.
Bouaddi has all the fundamentals of a midfielder. He doesn’t have any real weaknesses that would be a concern in the future. Of course, there are areas of the game where Bouaddi can improve, but at the age of 18, that’s more than expected.
Can Bouaddi make the step up?
As mentioned, there are areas of his game that Bouaddi may need to work on to play for the elites. If Bouaddi wants to be Rodri’s replacement at Man City, for example, then becoming more of a line-breaking passer will be crucial.
Bouaddi isn’t a complete controller just yet, but the teams he plays for do have an impact on that. Lille and Morocco aren’t possession-dominating sides like Man City.
The Moroccan midfielder is often safer with his passes, which can be system-based.
Becoming more of a progressive passer of the ball could make Bouaddi explode. It’s the type of trait that clubs like Man City and Arsenal value significantly given their styles.
There’s no doubt Bouaddi has what it takes to develop that skill set. At the age of 18, the world is his oyster, and he has the technical quality to be able to take his own game to the next level.
If Bouaddi is unable to break into the starting XI of a top Premier League side such as Arsenal or Man City right now, then there’s no doubt he will in the future. Signing Bouaddi won’t be to make an immediate impact, but instead to be a starting midfielder for years to come.
The Lille superstar is destined to become one of the best in the world in his position, and it’s no surprise that he’s attracting a lot of interest in the summer transfer window.