Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has warned that while Ayyoub Bouaddi is a 'very good' player, the 19-year-old needs the correct path to continue his hugely exciting development.
Ayyoub Bouaddi starred on his full Premier League debut against Ipswich Town on Saturday.More Videos
Bouaddi, who joined Manchester City, made his first Premier League start on Saturday against Ipswich Town from Lille in a deal for £86 million this summer, lining up alongside Mateo Kovacic and producing an outstanding display in a 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
The Morocco international was eye-catching in his ability to win duels, maintain a 94 per cent pass accuracy, all while producing seven line-breaking passes. Bouaddi also had 92 touches of the ball in midfield, displaying the influence he had in large parts of the contest.
City's victory came from goals by Phil Foden and Erling Haaland on either side of Daizen Maeda’s equaliser after 21 minutes.
After 87 minutes, Haaland thought he had secured his hat-trick, but Enzo Fernandez was found to be offside in the build-up before Zian Flemming made for a nervy conclusion following his penalty conversion in the 90th minute.
Bouaddi is doing well but needs a path, says Maresca
The victory, which came following a midweek defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, made for all the celebrations as Maresca became the first manager in Premier League history to win his first seven matches at the club.
Bouaddi was a key part of the win, and the City manager believes people should not put pressure on him to succeed at such a young age as he continues to develop as a teenager.
Reflecting on the teenager's full Premier League debut in his post-match press conference, Maresca said: “Not bad, eh? I think a manager is always looking to find minutes and space for good players - and Ayyoub is very good.
“Again, he’s very young, coming from France, so we also need to help him and not put him under pressure [by playing] every game, every game, every game. He needs a path and I think he’s doing well.”
Inside Maresca’s near-perfect start to life at Man City
It has been quite the start to life as Manchester City manager for Maresca, who succeeded the legendary Pep Guardiola in the summer after an unprecedented decade at the club.
Guardiola won 20 major trophies during his tenure, including six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a historic UEFA Champions League win as part of an unprecedented Treble.
At present, Maresca has won all seven of his Premier League games so far, including memorable victories against Bournemouth, Manchester United, Sunderland and Liverpool, to place his side at the top of the table.
Not only that, but Maresca’s side has also won in the third round of the Carabao Cup against Norwich City, while beating Porto on the opening night of the UEFA Champions League.
Indeed, City have lost twice this season so far, first against Arsenal in the Community Shield before losing to PSG in the UEFA Champions League in the week.
Yet Maresca has found it easy to bounce back from such defeats, which has provided a sense of stability and belief amongst Manchester City supporters who are still trying to get used to post-Guardiola life.