Football world hails Ayyoub Bouaddi after Porto display | OneFootball

Ayyoub Bouaddi drew widespread praise after starring in Manchester City’s 2-0 Champions League win over Porto on Tuesday.

According to L'Équipe, Erling Haaland, Enzo Maresca, Wayne Rooney and Clarence Seedorf all lauded the 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder. Haaland scored both goals.

Haaland said Bouaddi is outstanding in training, noted he had even mentioned him to the chairman, and said City have a gem. He playfully added he was frustrated not to receive a second-half pass and would tell the youngster.

Maresca praised Bouaddi’s composure, saying many players panic after a couple of stray passes, and he thought the teenager was excellent. He added that while Erling, Ruben or Mateo are expected to handle such nights, it is not usually anticipated from an 18-year-old.

Rooney said operating in Rodri’s role with such discipline and maturity at 18 is extremely difficult, highlighting Bouaddi’s calm, technical assurance and ability to beat opponents with body feints. Seedorf noted some consider him slow, pointed out Busquets was too, and hailed his ball retention, positioning and reading of the game as exceptional for his age.

Source: L'Équipe

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