Erik ten Hag praises Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi after 1‑1 draw

FC Twente technical director Erik ten Hag said he was hugely impressed by 18‑year‑old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi of LOSC Lille after the youngster’s World Cup debut in a 1‑1 draw with Brazil during the World Cup Evening programme. Ten Hag, speaking as the technical director of FC Twente, expressed his admiration for the player. "Die speler van Marokko, Bouaddi, vond ik echt fenomenaal goed spelen," he said. He described Bouaddi as "heel dynamisch" and highlighted how the midfielder moved the ball from defence to attack. "Hij bracht het spel van achter naar voren en was daarin ontzettend belangrijk," Ten Hag added.

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Defensively, Ten Hag noted Bouaddi’s ability to win duels and disrupt dangerous attacks. "Ook defensief was hij geweldig. In duels komen, duels winnen, gevaarlijke aanvallen onderbreken," he remarked. The Dutch coach admitted he had never heard of Bouaddi before the tournament. "Ik had eerlijk gezegd nog nooit van hem gehoord, maar hij heeft enorm veel indruk op mij gemaakt," Ten Hag confessed.

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Bouaddi, aged eighteen, is currently contracted to French club LOSC Lille. His performances have already drawn praise from France forward Olivier Giroud. The comments were made during the World Cup Evening broadcast. The discussion took place on the programme "WK Avond".