Ayyoub Bouaddi produced a superb display as Man City beat Porto on Tuesday night and he is in contention to start against Manchester United this weekend.
Ayyoub Bouaddi was excellent on Tuesday
Ayyoub Bouaddi was excellent on Tuesday
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It's been the perfect start to the season for Manchester City and it got even better on Tuesday night when teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi proved he is ready to help the Blues' push for silverware.
It would be remiss to suggest a player who cost £85m was one for the future rather than the present, but clearly Bouaddi's best years are ahead of him and he was always expected to take time to adapt to his new surroundings. If Tuesday night's win in Porto was anything to go by, he has already done just that.
Bouaddi was superb in City's Champions League victory, with Enzo Maresca saying of him after the game: "Tonight he was very good, you expect from Erling, Ruben, Mateo that they can manage these kind of games better but you don't expect it from a guy of 18. I didn't see him panic. Congratulations to Ayyoub, and this is why he's here with us."
Bouaddi spoke after that game, telling reporters when asked about this weekend's derby: "It’s one of the most important games, if not the most important game of the year," he said. "It means a lot for the fans and for us. We want to win and will give everything for this game."
The teenager clearly knows how big the derby is, but is he ready to start? Tuesday's showing would suggest he is, but it would also be a risk to throw an 18-year-old into such a huge game away from home.
We want you to tell us whether you think Bouaddi should start this weekend. Let us know your thoughts below: