Ayyoub Bouaddi impresses on first start for Man City
Eighteen-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi shone on his first Man City start during a 2-0 Champions League win over Porto on Tuesday.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Ayyoub Bouaddi made his first start for Manchester City in the Champions League.
- Produced an assured display in a 2-0 victory away against Porto on Tuesday.
- Topped match metrics for passing accuracy, successful dribbles, and duels won.
Ayyoub Bouaddi belied his tender years with a remarkably mature performance on his first starting appearance for Manchester City, helping his side secure a 2-0 victory over Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday. The 18-year-old midfielder joined City from Lille for 86 million pounds, making him the most expensive teenager in the history of the Premier League.
While Erling Haaland grabbed the headlines with his two goals, it was Bouaddi who stole the show in the middle of the pitch with a tidy and composed display. At 18 years and 341 days old, he became the fourth-youngest player to start a Champions League fixture for the club, easing fears among supporters regarding the eventual successor to Rodri in defensive midfield.
The Moroccan youngster dominated key statistical categories across both teams during the match in Portugal. He successfully completed 54 of his 55 passes while also leading the metrics for most dribbles with 4, most times possession won at 7, and contesting a game-high 13 duels on the night.
"His age, his game – he looks absolutely born to do it,"
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin expressed his admiration on BBC Radio 5 Live during the broadcast, stating that the teenager looked extraordinarily special on the pitch. Even teammate Erling Haaland praised the midfielder's overall contribution, though he humorously joked that Bouaddi should have played him through during a second-half counterattack.
Manchester City's hefty investment of 86 million pounds for Ayyoub Bouaddi highlights their proactive approach to securing elite youthful talent for long-term squad renewal. The teenager's immediate composure in high-stakes European fixtures suggests he possesses the temperament required to shoulder heavy responsibilities in Pep Guardiola's squad.
Having previously earned a standing ovation against Real Madrid two years ago while playing for Lille, Bouaddi has now proven on Tuesday evening that he thrives under the brightest spotlight, vindicating City's decision to integrate him directly into the first-team squad rather than loaning him back.
Source: BBC Sport
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