Ayyoub Bouaddi has so far played a total of 332 minutes in seven appearances for Manchester City this season. Enzo Maresca has been patient with Bouaddi, given that the Moroccan midfielder is only 19 and is still adapting to life in England after making a big-money move from Lille to City. That is an understandable course of action for Maresca to take with the young midfielder. But as the 2026-27 season has progressed, you are beginning to sense that it is now time to start Bouaddi. He is ready and City do at times need more security in midfield. Ayyoub Bouaddi offers that and perhaps it is time for him to start regularly for Manchester City.
Enzo Maresca seems to have settled on his Manchester City midfield mix.
Across the early part of this season, Enzo Maresca has started Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and Rayan Cherki in midfield. The trio have done a very good job. However, at times the Manchester City midfield does seem to be too easy to play through. This was on full display in the first half of Manchester City’s 4-2 defeat to PSG at the Etihad almost a fortnight ago. That game changed in the second half when Ayyoub Bouaddi came on at halftime. Manchester City almost turned around a 3-0 deficit with Bouaddi being a big factor in City’s second-half resurgence.
Ayyoub Bouaddi started his first Premier League game against Ipswich Town as City picked up a 3-2 win. The Moroccan international showed at the Etihad that the physicality of the Premier League doesn’t phase him. However, Bouaddi has been an unused substitute in Manchester City’s past two matches against AEK Athens and Aston Villa.
Instead, Enzo Maresca has trusted his favoured midfield trio against AEK Athens and Aston Villa. Manchester City’s win against AEK Athens was a comfortable win. City’s midfield wasn’t the reason they lost to Unai Emery’s side at Villa Park. However, you do feel that Enzo Maresca’s side would’ve benefited from having Bouaddi’s poise and ability to quell danger in midfield. The more you watch City and how at times their midfield can be played through you do wonder if it is now time for Ayyoub Bouaddi to start on a regular basis to add what is lacking.
Ayyoub Bouaddi should now start to force his way into a regular midfield role.
Enzo Maresca’s patient approach with Ayyoub Bouaddi is understandable given his age. But you do sense that this Manchester City side will be a more well-rounded outfit with Bouaddi starting in midfield. At times Elliot Anderson is too energetic and drifts from his position too often. Enzo Fernandez’s strengths aren’t in his work out of possession or in duels. Rayan Cherki is a creative force as a number ten but he isn’t known for his work without the ball.
Starting Ayyoub Bouaddi would help cover the perceived flaws of Cherki and Enzo Fernandez out of possession. Also, Bouaddi would add cover for Elliot Anderson to do what he does best. It does seem like an obvious move to make for Enzo Maresca to begin to take the reigns off of Bouaddi. The time is coming for Bouaddi to start on a regular basis for Manchester City. It looks to be only a matter of when this move will occur.