Wolves wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri enjoyed a tremendous campaign at Molineux, with his departure from Molineux now looking inevitable.
After producing the most goals and assists of any defender in the Premier League, Manchester City want to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri before the Club World Cup commences.
The Algerian has emerged as a top target for the Citizens in the wing-back role, with Wolves already eyeing multiple replacements for Ait-Nouri, including Sheffield United dynamo Harrison Burrows.
Premier League stats Apps Goals Assists
Rayan Ait-Nouri 37 4 7
Matheus Cunha 33 15 6
With Matheus Cunha joining Manchester United and his teammate soon to follow, Vitor Pereira faces a job on his hands to replace a left side that is being decimated.
Now, ahead of his potential transfer to the Etihad, the 23-year-old has spoken about his development at Molineux and his true assessment of the 2024/25 campaign.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Rayan Ait-Nouri shares his verdict on Gary O’Neil in assessment of Wolves season
When Gary O’Neil was coming towards the end of his tenure in Wolverhampton, Ait-Nouri was suspended for his actions against Ipswich Town, alongside his teammate Cunha.
It was a clear sign that the Wolves players were losing their heads after just two wins in 16 under the Englishman in 2024/25, with a change in management required.
But when reflecting on the season as a whole, Ait-Nouri refused to blame O’Neil for their downfall, and instead pushed responsibility onto himself and the players, knowing they had the tools in their locker to turn the situation around.
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“To be honest, since the beginning of the season, we were very confident because we know the team, we know we have great players,” Ait-Nouri told the Wolves official website.
“Also, with Gary O’Neil, we had some amazing moments, and then after, when Vitor Pereira came, a new coach, he also did a very good job and he had a really good impact on the team.
“Although we did not start the season well, that’s us as players, I wouldn’t blame anyone but us, as it was our responsibility as players, but we also did very good things. But for me, I was confident since the beginning of the season because I know the quality of our players.”
How Ait-Nouri has matured as a player
Ait-Nouri didn’t want to throw his former manager under the bus, perhaps respecting how much he enabled his development.
It was during O’Neil’s tenure that he truly became an established Premier League left-back, with Ait-Nouri improving his final ball.
For that reason, the Algerian perhaps respects the manager, who played a huge role in his development as an all-round player.
Speaking about how he’s matured this season, he said: “I try to play my football, I try to be confident on the pitch and give everything for all of the people.
“I try to be professional outside of the pitch because the nutrition and how you sleep is important, and I’ve put a lot of effort into this kind of thing, so we can see this season that it’s helped as I played a lot of games.
“But it’s good also for me because I want to play every game. When the coach puts me on the pitch, I try to give everything and try to play my best football.”
It will be a sad day when Ait-Nouri exits Molineux, and sadly, with Man City keen on landing his signature, that moment doesn’t seem too far away.