Leicester City is reportedly interested in signing midfielder Azzedine Ounahi – here’s the lowdown on Morocco’s World Cup star
The Fifa men’s World Cup can catapult footballers into superstardom like no other competition – just ask Leicester City transfer target Azzedine Ounahi.
Before the tournament got underway in November the Moroccan midfielder was a virtual unknown, plying his for French outfit Anger at the bottom of Ligue 1. Now he’s said to be attracting interest not just from the Foxes but Barcelona and Sevilla too while earning plaudits from some of the world’s top coaches.
The 22-year-old has played a huge role in Morocco’s fairytale run to the semi-finals in Qatar, his individual performances standing out in a well-drilled and organized team who are more than the sum of their parts. They have been the giant killers of 2022, knocking Belgium, Spain, and Portugal off their respective perches and now they’re lining up world champions France on Wednesday evening.
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After defeating Spain in the round of 16, manager Luis Enrique was in awe of Ounahi. “Madre Mía,” he exclaimed following the game. “Where did this kid come from? I’m sorry, I can’t remember his name. He can really play. He surprised me.”
When Portugal was eliminated following a 1-0 win over Morocco, José Mourinho was next up to shower him with praise. “Their No.8, the young boy that plays in France in Anger, Ounahi was absolutely incredible,” the Roma manager said.
So, what is it about Azzedine Ounahi that has left such a deep impression on everyone at the World Cup?
The youngster’s nimble footwork is a sight to behold, the ball almost seems attached to his foot by a piece of string. He manages to dance his way between players with ease, pirouetting through a crowd of bodies as if they weren’t even there.
Anahi is not just some showboating dribbler, though. His work rate is phenomenal and his stamina is seemingly never-ending. He covered 14.7km before coming off in the 119th minute against Spain.
The only thing that has held him back in his career to date is his skinny frame, with many clubs in France overlooking him because they felt he would not be able to withstand the physicality of Ligue 1 or Ligue 2.
That allowed top-flight side Anger to swoop in and, although he found it difficult at times against stronger midfielders, he impressed in his first season as the club finished 14th in the league table.
It seems Ounahi will not be sticking around the Loire Valley for much longer, despite having a contract until 2026. Even club president Said Chabane has admitted that “we can never keep a player that wants to leave.”
Leicester is ‘expected’ to lodge an offer in the region of £40million for the breakout star of the World Cup – but who knows what his price tag will be if Morocco manages to do the impossible.
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