Casablanca – Former France international Olivier Giroud hailed Moroccan youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi, spotlighting the Lille midfielder’s versatility while drawing comparisons with two legendary midfielders.
Giroud noted that friends had sent him images comparing Bouaddi to former France captain Patrick Vieira and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, suggesting the 18-year-old combines qualities associated with both players.
“He’s calm, confident, staying himself! I was talking with some friends and they sent some pictures: Patrick Vieira and Sergio Busquets. They said he’s a mix of both!” Giroud said in comments reported by BBC 5 Live Sport.
The former France striker, who plays alongside Bouaddi at Lille, stressed that the youngster is not yet at Busquets’ technical level or Vieira’s physical strength.
“He’s not yet as good as Sergio Busquets technically, but still he’s got some skills. Maybe a lack of power to compare with Patrick,” Girouud observed.
The 2018 World Cup winner nevertheless believes Bouaddi has significant room to develop physically as he continues his career.
Giroud also likened the Moroccan midfielder’s movement and versatility to former France star N’Golo Kanté, describing him as a “complete player” who can influence different areas of the pitch.
However, Giroud identified one area where Bouaddi still needs to make significant progress: his finishing.
“The only thing he should improve and he has to improve and he knows it … is his finishing, being more aggressive in front of goal,” he added.
Bouaddi has continued to attract attention with his development at Lille, with Giroud’s assessment offering further insight into the qualities behind the growing expectations surrounding the young midfielder.
