Akliouche impresses Zidane but his lightness worries the coach

Maghnes Akliouche quickly won over coach Zinédine Zidane, being selected in the starting eleven twice during the France national team gathering after the withdrawal of Warren Zaïre-Emery, where he displayed notable movement intelligence and technical elegance.

First starts and qualities

These two starts highlighted Akliouche's ability to position himself intelligently in spaces, to quickly understand his teammates' intentions and to move comfortably in tight areas. His technical elegance allows him to take part in attacking combinations without losing the ball.

Zidane thus sent a strong signal by picking him from the outset, but the coach did not claim that Akliouche's place was secured in the long term. Le Parisien noted that the young Monegasque sometimes appears too light and is far from showing the “full completeness” needed to establish himself permanently.

Competition and challenges to meet

Akliouche's position is highly competitive: Michael Olise finished the gathering with considerable influence and received praise from Zidane, while Rayan Cherki continues to strive to establish himself permanently. Désiré Doué, for his part, can occupy several attacking roles, increasing the pressure on the young midfielder.

In this battle, being merely elegant or interesting will not be enough. Akliouche will need to gain physical presence, resist contact more, and more regularly create decisive differences on the pitch.

Zidane opened the door for him more quickly than expected, but if the perception of lightness persists, the coach's initial confidence may not be enough to shield him from criticism.

The challenge that now awaits Akliouche is to turn his promising sequences into real influence during matches, in order to cement his place within the France national team.