The Prince of Rabat: Why Abde Ezzalzouli Is Built for the Premier League

Whilst the Estadio Benito Villamarín has somewhat become a home for players on the way out of the Premier League, with Real Betis’ 2025/26 squad comprising nine former Premier League stars including Héctor Bellerín, Pablo Fornals and Antony, the man who occupies the left‑wing position in Manuel Pellegrini’s 4‑2‑3‑1 formation appears destined for future Premier League glory. Despite having already made his “big” move in 2021 when Barcelona signed him from Hércules CF for €2.00m, Abde Ezzalzouli looks destined for a second chance at superstardom after his ten goals and eight assists propelled Real Betis into the 2026/27 Champions League. With Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur all reportedly interested in the €40.00m‑rated 24‑year‑old, it is clear that the 37‑capped Moroccan holds traits deemed desirable by the Premier League’s elite.

Who is Abde Ezzalzouli?

Whilst Abde Ezzalzouli may not be a name instantly recognisable to many football fans, he is a player who has been making waves long before his breakout 2025/26 season. Following his €2.00m move to Barcelona in 2021, Ezzalzouli became a regular for Barça Atlètic and made 12 senior appearances, scoring one league goal for the Blaugrana. However, this form was not enough to earn him a regular spot in Barcelona’s senior squad, as the presence of Ousmane Dembélé and Ansu Fati saw him sent out on loan to Osasuna for the 2022/23 season.

Across the 2022/23 season, Ezzalzouli contributed four goals and two assists as Osasuna achieved UEFA Conference League qualification - a significant achievement for a young player experiencing regular top‑flight football for the first time. Despite his strong performances, with Ezzalzouli finishing the season as Osasuna’s third‑top goalscorer with an average of 1.00 shots on target per 90, he was sold to Real Betis for a fee of €7.50m in the summer window of 2023.

Whilst Ezzalzouli struggled across his first season in Seville, scoring just once in the league and achieving only 921 minutes across 28 appearances, the 2023/24 season saw the Moroccan get his first taste of European football as he made six appearances in the Europa League and two in the Conference League. It was within this latter competition where Ezzalzouli shone across the next season as, whilst his struggles persisted in domestic football, he flourished on the European stage, scoring six times as Real Betis finished runners‑up to heavy favourites Chelsea.

It was the 2025/26 season that saw Ezzalzouli’s game mature. Now 23 and no longer considered a young player, he ensured he would not be remembered as someone who failed to deliver on the promise that had earned him a move to the Camp Nou. Twenty‑five goal contributions, twenty domestically and five in Europe, marked his true explosion onto the scene, fulfilling what he had threatened to do in seasons prior. As Real Betis’ top assister and second‑top goalscorer across a season where the club achieved Champions League qualification despite losing star player Johnny Cardoso the summer prior, Ezzalzouli has begun to once again attract top clubs. But what makes him particularly desirable?

What makes Abde Ezzalzouli desirable to Premier League giants?

Whilst an increasing number of wingers now put up goalscoring numbers that were traditionally associated with central strikers, Ezzalzouli stands out because of his incredible ability to take on defenders. Averaging 1.56 dribbles completed, 2.93 fouls won and 0.44 big chances created per 90 across the 2025/26 LaLiga season, Ezzalzouli is a player who remains relentlessly positive in possession, frequently beating his man or drawing a foul. This is both visible when watching him and is supported by his underlying numbers, suggesting this aspect of his game is highly sustainable. 

Such an ability is particularly appealing to Premier League sides who have frequently faced criticism for their wingers being too mechanical and lacking individual flair. Ezzalzouli, therefore, offers Premier League clubs the ability to break down highly systemised opponents with a moment of unpredictable brilliance - a level of flair desperately needed, as seen through how he completes more dribbles, wins more fouls and creates more big chances per 90 than elite Premier League left‑wingers such as Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.

In addition to his dribbling ability and creative gifts, Ezzalzouli offers Premier League clubs the chance to acquire a shot monster, with the Moroccan being a high‑volume shooter. Across the 2025/26 season, the Real Betis man averaged 2.91 shots per 90, 1.04 of which were on target. Alongside being second only to Antony in the Real Betis squad in this metric, Ezzalzouli’s shots‑on‑target per 90 across the 2025/26 season surpass those achieved by Barnes (0.96), Rogers (0.88) and Gakpo (0.69), competing with Premier League superstar Bukayo Saka (1.09). This exemplifies that Ezzalzouli is more than just a flair player; he offers Premier League clubs genuine end product.

Whilst his attacking metrics are exemplary, Premier League clubs would be unlikely to give Ezzalzouli a second look if he were deemed a defensive liability, especially with the shift toward whole‑team defensive structures being one of the most prevalent tactical evolutions in recent Premier League seasons. It is fortunate, then, that Ezzalzouli supplements his attacking ability with defensive work, averaging 3.35 defensive contributions, 4.79 recoveries and 2.12 tackles per 90 across the 2025/26 season. Whilst this exemplifies his defensive work rate, it also indicates that he is an incredibly well‑rounded, hard‑working player who blends attacking flair, end product and defensive solidity - a recipe for Premier League success.

Whether he ends up tearing up the Premier League or decides to experience Champions League nights in Andalucía, Abde Ezzalzouli is a player who seems destined for the very top; a player perfectly suited to England’s top flight.