Noussair Mazraoui explains the nuances of playing in multiple positions | OneFootball

There are versatile players, and then there is Noussair Mazraoui. Since his initial €15 million move last year, the Moroccan has played in as many as six positions.

Under Erik ten Hag, the ex-Ajax ace was mainly used as a right-back, while he did also do a job on the left. Rather surprisingly, the Dutch manager also played the 28-year-old as an attacking midfielder in one of those games.

Since Ruben Amorim took charge, the former Bayern Munich star has mainly been deployed as a right wingback and as part of the back three.

He has also played on the left. When asked by the club’s media team whether he has any preference with regards to a position under the head coach, the Morocco international said, “I always used to do both.

Versatile star

“So, whenever I was a right-back, I always liked to do the attacking but I also liked to defend, to catch my opponent, one against one, and just win those duels.

“For me, it’s also a nice feeling so I think, yeah, those two positions just suit me and I don’t really have a preference.

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“Of course, they are different positions, so they ask something different from you. In [terms of] attacking, and in defence as well.

“I think, as one of the centre-backs, it’s more defending, controlling the game, controlling the counters of the opponent. And more building up. So that is basically what your job is during the game.

What it takes to play in different positions

“I think, as a wing-back, it’s more going up and down. So you have more of both sides. A little bit more defending but also you have to be decisive because you come a lot into the last third of the pitch, the last-third part of the pitch.

“And that asks again something different from you than being at centre-back because then you have to give like an assist or be decisive or give a great ball, where it comes to a chance. “So, yeah, I think those things are the differences between those certain positions,” Mazraoui explained.

Wherever Noussair Mazraoui has played, his intelligence shines through, and he has proven to be an asset for the first team.

While last season he was almost almost available, this term, he has already missed five games due to injury. Hopefully, he can stay fit and perform like last season again.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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