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Houssem Aouar and his future with Manchester City – a thread
The reports about Aouar’s potential move to ManCity are ruling the Football headlines. But before you decide how good this deal will be for Pep Guardiola’s men, there are a few things that you should know.
The reports about Aouar’s potential move to ManCity are ruling the Football headlines. But before you decide how good this deal will be for Pep Guardiola’s men, there are a few things that you should know.
If you wish to judge the youngster’s skill, you only have to go back and watch the UCL match between City and Lyon that ended in a 2-2 draw. During this match, Aouar absolutely bossed the midfield which is quite difficult when you are up against the likes of David Silva...
..., Fernandinho, and Riyad Mahrez. Guardiola, who saw the then 20-year-old kid tearing through City’s midfield, concluded that the Frenchman is ‘incredible’.” "He's always very calm with the ball at his feet, with excellent technical quality.”
This comment shouldn’t surprise you given the fact that our midfielders couldn’t take the ball away from him even once. He also completed 100% of his dribbles which is impressive.
Despite the interest of elite clubs across Europe, Aouar wanted to stay at Lyon. As a youngster...
Despite the interest of elite clubs across Europe, Aouar wanted to stay at Lyon. As a youngster...
... he rejected a potential move to Liverpool before signing his first professional contract.
In the 2017-18 season, he had 7 goals and 6 assists in 31 appearances across all competitions which ended up gaining up a nomination for FIFA’s Golden Boy.
In the 2017-18 season, he had 7 goals and 6 assists in 31 appearances across all competitions which ended up gaining up a nomination for FIFA’s Golden Boy.
The following season he made 44 appearances, adding 7 goals and 7 assists to his name. It is easy to spot Zidane’s influence on his game, who is also someone that Aouar idealizes. Reports suggest that Zidane himself was keen on bringing him to Real Madrid.
As for the most notable qualities of his game, Aouar is extremely brilliant at reading the counters and tackles well in advance. He has quick reflexes and the constant hunt for space helps him in drifting all over the pitch. His dribbling skills, as noted above, lets him...
...dominate the possession as he ghosts past the unsuspecting players. Although his acceleration and ability to play in the deep is commendable, his aerial duels still need some work.
But hey, he is young and there’s a lot that he will learn in the coming years.
But hey, he is young and there’s a lot that he will learn in the coming years.
Aouar himself said that he would like to play for Man City as he looks up to Pep Guardiola's vision in football.
You’d argue that his arrival will Phil Foden’s playing time who has been dubbed as Silva’s replacement for quite long. But this season also was a lesson for all of us
You’d argue that his arrival will Phil Foden’s playing time who has been dubbed as Silva’s replacement for quite long. But this season also was a lesson for all of us
We can't overtly rely on just one player. Moreover, Aouar would work better as a replacement for Gundo who will turn 30 this year. With their creativity and skills, Foden and Aouar can develop a partnership that will push our team to new heights – or so one would hope.
I feel this deal -- if it goes through -- will be amazing for both Aouar and Man City. He’s the kind of talent that you don’t want to miss out on. Guardiola always insists on pressing and Aouar’s ability to the same will make him a great fit for our squad.
As for your worries about Foden, Guardiola himself won’t let that happen. After all, a little bit of healthy internal competition for the starting XI will only keep everyone on their toes – something that we would desperately need in the net season.
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