Ayoub Bouaddi: Lille’s Teenage Prodigy
Club: LOSC Lille
Nationality: France
Position: CM, DM, AM
Preferred Foot: Right
Height: 5’9”/175cm
Age: 17
Strengths: dribbling, composure, creativity, passing, IQ, press resistance, tackling, anticipation, carrying
Areas for Development: physical maturity
From Eden Hazard to Leny Yoro, from Lucas Digne to Benjamin Pavard, we’ve seen quite a few players go from developing in Lille’s academy to playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, and there’s reason to believe that Ayyoub Bouaddi could be the next youngster to make the leap. A silky smooth, versatile central midfielder, Bouaddi is already showcasing his skills at the top level of European football, and at 17, he’s only going to get better.
Born in Senlis, France to Moroccan parents, Bouaddi spent nine years at AFC Creil’s academy before making the move to Lille in 2021. Since then, he’s quickly rose through the ranks for club and country, representing France at the U16, U17, U18 and U20 level and signing his first professional contract on August 21, 2023.
On October 5, 2023, Bouaddi made his senior debut in a UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match against Faroese club KÍ, which ended in a goalless stalemate. In doing so, he became the youngest player to play in a European club competition game at 16 years and 3 days old, whilst he also became the youngest player to play for Lille in an official match, breaking Joël Henry’s 45-year record. A mere 17 days later, Bouaddi became the youngest player to play in a Ligue 1 match since Joël Fréchet in 1981.
Comfortable receiving the ball in deep positions whilst under intense pressure, Bouaddi’s composure belies his tender age. He’s a central midfielder who is instrumental in the build-up play and helps string together possession from deeper areas, and whose maturity and press resistance has come to the fore over the past few months.
He’s even played as a defensive midfielder on occasion, constantly demanding the ball, gliding around the pitch with poise and serenity, and taking control of the game both on and off the ball. Bouaddi is a technically secure player with an excellent long passing ability and who has the awareness to spot players in space in advanced areas. A deep-lying playmaker, he can pick out some quality passes to create cutbacks and set up goal-scoring opportunities.
Out of possession, Bouaddi is a formidable tackler. His long legs provide him with better reach in tackles, and he congests duels by quickly closing the gap between him and the attacker to win the ball. Bouaddi’s anticipation in particular is impressive, showcasing an advanced understanding of the game.
Previously, Bouaddi played as an attacking midfielder, and in the final third, his close control enables him to weave in and out of chances and remain composed whilst arriving into the box. An aspect of his game which makes him so effective further up the pitch is his awareness of space and decision-making. He often times his release well and can create high-quality chances.
One of Bouaddi’s biggest strengths is his ball-carrying. When he wins the ball or has it in a deeper area, he loves to drive forward and eat up the ground to progress into the final third. Whether that’s through central areas or out wide, he has a decent top speed. Moreover, Bouaddi works hard off the ball to press the opponent, anticipating passes in behind and putting in a shift out of possession.
Despite having a more laid-back style, Bouaddi has decent physicality in duels, although he still needs to mature physically and grow into his body. He has played various roles in midfield, whether an attacking, central or more defensive midfielder, but his best role is as a deep-lying playmaker. Nevertheless, as he builds up his physique and improves his defensive traits, he could easily become a single pivot.
All signs point to Bouaddi becoming integrated into the Lille first team and challenging Angel Gomes for the role of deep-lying playmaker, which would give him more defensive responsibility and develop his all-round game even more. However, to fully utilise Bouaddi’s creativity and ball-carrying, he should be pushed further forward. He is simply too effective further forward to limit him to being just a defensive midfielder — his composure in the box could see him excel as a box-crashing #8.
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Standing at 6’1″, Bouaddi’s recent growth spurt has seen him mature into a far more developed profile, and his long legs and aerial prowess make him both a transitional threat and stronger at stealing the ball from opposing players. The teenage midfielder is already making his presence felt under new Lille manager Bruno Génésio, racking up three appearances in the UEFA Champions League as well as nine in Ligue 1.
Bouaddi kicked off October by making his full UEFA Champions League debut…against none other than Real Madrid. With Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, Ethan Mbappé and Ngal’ayel Mukau injured, with Angel Gomes suspended, and with Nabil Bentaleb and André Gomes not registered for the Champions League, Génésio had no other choice but to start Bouaddi in the double pivot alongside captain Benjamin André.
He needn’t have worried — Bouaddi kept things tidy on both sides of the pitch, completing 43 out of 44 passes, winning a foul, and registering one clearance and one tackle apiece, whilst he also won two out of six ground duels. Jonathan David would open the scoring before halftime from the penalty spot en route to a 1-0 victory, as Real Madrid suffered their first defeat since January 18.
After the final whistle, Lille fans and players alike serenaded Bouaddi with Joyeux Anniversaire (Happy Birthday), with the youngster delivering a stellar performance on the day of his 17th birthday. Three days later, Bouaddi teed up Mitchel Bakker’s 72nd-minute goal as Lille prevailed with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory against Toulouse. In doing so, Bouaddi became the youngest player since Eduardo Camavinga to deliver an assist in a Ligue 1 match.
Bouaddi has started November off on the right foot, playing the full 90 in their 1-1 draw against Juventus. Going up against the likes of Manuel Locatelli, Khéphren Thuram, and Teun Koopmeiners, Bouaddi excelled against the Bianconeri with 26 out of 30 passes completed (including 3/3 long balls completed), 2 interceptions, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, and 1 key pass. The youngster was even given the Man of the Match award for his superb display in Lille.
Whether or not Bouaddi manages to fulfill his world-class potential, one thing’s for sure: he’s primed for success either in football or outside of it. On June 5, 2023, Bouaddi went to the Élysée Palace and won the fourth and final eloquence competition for French football academies. He’s not only training to become a professional footballer — he’s also studying for a mathematics degree. “It’s to make the most of my free time, that’s how I was educated. It keeps your mind alert.”
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He’s already broken records, impressed against some of the biggest clubs in the world, and showcased his promise on and off the ball. At 17 years of age, this is a player whose head is firmly screwed onto his shoulders, and his humility and work ethic should see him progress and emerge as one of the most talented midfielders of his generation.
By: Ben Mattinson / @Ben_Mattinson_
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Kristy Sparow – UEFA