France’s answer to Kobbie Mainoo: The teen GENIUS making the Premier League dream

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 Mar 2025 11:18 GMT
• 9 min read

Analysis

Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi has emerged as one of the most promising midfielders in the world this season, with the 17-year-old’s performances attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with a potential move for the teenager, who cannot leave Lille for the Premier League until January 2026 at the earliest due to his age.

READ MORE: Arsenal sign the most rounded central midfielder in the world

Current ETV

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi

M, DM (C)

Lille

€27.6M

ETV Range

€24.8M - €30.3M

View full profile

Already Bouaddi has impressed on the highest stage, winning acclaim for his performances with LOSC in the Champions League. In particular, he sparkled against Real Madrid on his 17th birthday in a surprise victory.

SciSports compares Bouaddi in style to Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has already won England honours, yet at 17, the Franco-Moroccan star is matching what his older counterpart has achieved at Old Trafford and is ready to explode onto the big stage.

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Bouaddi vs Mainoo: Playing style: 2024/25

Bouaddi’s super strength: ‘Dazzling’ intelligence

Described as an “oddball” by L’Equipe, what is it that makes the youngster so precocious?

France U21 boss Gerald Baticle has one reason.

“When I see Ayyoub Bouaddi, I’m not shocked by how mature he is. I’m dazzled!” he told L’Equipe.

Bouaddi is something of a genius – and not just in terms of footballing ability.

The 17-year-old is already studying for a maths degree, beginning his course a year earlier than his peers because his academic performance was so high.

“He was the dream student,” Olivier Omont, his former PE teacher explained to L’Equipe. “He was top on all levels, working a year ahead. I showed prospective parents his report card and they were blown away by how exceptional he was in all subjects.”

Bouaddi transferred his smarts to sport, whether it be badminton, handball or even wrestling, as a kid, he excelled in all before picking football.

By the age of 10, he had followed Cristiano Ronaldo’s example by cutting out fizzy drinks, not eating fries and was managing his sleep like an adult.

Though eligible to play U11 football, he was touted for the U15 side.

“It was disturbing to see such intelligence and a mastery of emotions in such a young player,” coach Armand Doue Diop said.

A unique talent

Intelligence remains the base point of Bouaddi’s game. He is not exceptionally quick nor has an exceptional engine like some of the more senior pros he has found himself alongside, but he can make up for this with speed of thought – an attribute that is very difficult to teach and often only comes with experience.

To this end, he is one of the best-ranking midfielders in the whole of Ligue 1 when it comes to defensive positioning.

He offers a similarity to Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool or Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea, yet Real Madrid’s ultra-versatile midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who came through in Ligue 1 at Rennes marks arguably the best point of reference.

“He’s improved a lot,” Bruno Genesio, the Lille head coach said. “He needed to refine his game and that’s what he’s doing.

“He’s showing a lot of technical composure compared to his early days.”

Lille defender Bafode Diakite echoed this sentiment: “He impresses with his calm, his maturity, and we're happy to have him. When we face teams that come to press us, he's the kind of player we can give the ball and say to ourselves: 'He's going to get through it, control the pressure and play nicely.'

“He’s got a great career ahead of him.”

This is why Bouaddi is such a unique and interesting prospect for the best teams in the world, and why Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are all scrambling to sign him.