PROFILE | Amine Gouiri must resolve inconsistency to deliver on promise | OneFootball

Stade Rennais’ Amine Gouiri (23) is still struggling to find the consistency and goalscoring output expected from him since his academy days at Olympique Lyonnais. However, the now Algerian international remains one of the most threatening offensive assets in Ligue 1, as he looks to finally thrive under his new manager Julien Stéphan.

Admittedly, Gouiri’s progression since his academy days hasn’t been the easiest, as in 2018, then quoted as the next top prospect to come out of the OL academy and on the brink of fully integrating the first team, the 18-year-old had suffered an unfortunate cruciate ligament rupture. The injury had kept him away from football for six months, and according to some observers, the attacker hasn’t been the same since then.

Nonetheless, in the summer of 2020, he made the audacious decision to leave his academy club Olympique Lyonnais in order to join an exciting OGC Nice side which were looking to build their squad up for the coming seasons, in a transfer worth €7 million. The Algerian slotted straight into Patrick Vieira’s side, scoring 16 goals and providing eight assists during his first season at the club and while his second was equally prolific, criticism began to emerge surrounding his lack of consistency Indeed, as his importance in the squad grew, the player’s influence on the pitch seemed to diminish, at times costing him his spot in the starting XI.

Gouiri continues to struggle to find consistency

In the summer of 2022, the winger joined Stade Rennais in a transfer worth €28 million, while Rennes’ top scorer Gaëtan Laborde (29) went the other way. A double transfer seemed to suit both parties, as Les Aiglons looked to add experience to their front line, while Les Rouge et Noir wanted to diversify their attacking threat. The move also suited Gouiri who, playing off and around Martin Terrier (26), had his most successful season yet, scoring 17 and assisting seven in all competitions.

On top of his statistical output, he seemed relieved of the offensive responsibilities he had had at Nice where he was the major offensive outlet, surrounded by the likes of Jérémy Doku (21), Kamaldeen Sulemana (21), Arnaud Kalimuendo (21) and aforementioned Terrier, some of which have since moved on to different clubs. Gouiri played more freely, in a hybrid role between the left wing and striker position, where he could zone in and out of central areas and make better use of his chance creation and dribbling capabilities.

However, now in his second season at the club, the 23-year-old once again finds himself in a difficult period, though his lack of form could be more closely related to his team’s generally disappointing first half of the season. Injured and therefore unable to take part in the upcoming AFCON, Gouiri will look to work hard and come back stronger in 2024 playing under his new coach Julien Stéphan.

GFFN | Alfred Lalande