Wednesday’s announcement of the official signing of young Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi by the prestigious Manchester City club sparked widespread commentary in the British press, which hailed the arrival of Manchester City’s “next master of the midfield.”
By signing the 18-year-old Moroccan talent, the English club sends a strong message to European football , the press notes, pointing out that the Moroccan midfielder is considered among the most promising players of his generation.
Made official on Wednesday, Bouaddi’s transfer to Manchester City makes him the most expensive teenage player in Premier League history, the British press observes.
The Guardian describes Bouaddi as “Manchester City’s new Rodri,” highlighting the Moroccan international’s tactical intelligence, maturity, and technical skills.
The comparison between the two players underscores the nature of the position and the strategic importance of the move made by the Citizens, the newspaper explains.
Describing the player as a “computer,” the newspaper highlights the high expectations at Manchester City, one of the world’s greatest clubs, where a trophyless season is considered a failure.
Despite his young age, Bouaddi already has solid experience, according to The Guardian, which highlights the player’s career on the European stage—and, above all, his participation in the 2026 World Cup representing Morocco.
For its part, Sky Sports reports that Bouaddi could have joined a major European club to be gradually integrated into the team. At Manchester City, however, he arrives as a major investment to help rebuild a midfield that has just lost several of its key players.
In its analyses, the British press focuses in particular on the player’s tactical intelligence, noting that his international experience with the Atlas Lions has significantly bolstered his reputation.
During the 2026 World Cup, Bouaddi faced off against the best players on the planet and emerged as one of the standout performers in Morocco’s campaign, Sky Sports notes, highlighting in particular the player’s impact during the match clash between Morocco and Brazil, where his ability to win one-on-one duels caught the world’s attention.
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