Ayyoub Bouaddi delivered a composed and impressive display on his first Manchester City start, underlining the club's confidence in the 18-year-old midfielder during a 2-0 Champions League victory over Porto.
Erling Haaland scored both goals for City, but it was the teenage signing from Lille who drew widespread attention with a mature, assured performance in central midfield. Bouaddi, who was a standout for Morocco at this summer's World Cup, joined City in a £86m deal that made him the most expensive teenager in Premier League history. Having previously appeared twice as a substitute, Tuesday's outing in Portugal was his first start for the club, and he looked entirely at home on one of European football's biggest stages.
His performance offered an early suggestion that City may not feel the departure of Rodri as sharply as some had feared. Bouaddi completed 54 of his 55 attempted passes and led all players on the pitch in dribbles (4), duels contested (13) and possessions won (7), numbers that reflected both his control and his energy in the middle of the park.
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live during the match, was effusive in his praise. "His age, his game – he looks absolutely born to do it," Nevin said. "I cannot take my eyes off Bouaddi, he looks very special. The City fans had the fear of losing Rodri - I watched Bouaddi playing against Scotland at the World Cup, he has been very impressive so far. Bouaddi is an absolute no-brainer. He is brilliant. You get him at that age and you don't think he might work, he is a class act."
At 18 years and 341 days old, Bouaddi became the fourth-youngest player to start a Champions League match for Manchester City, a landmark that speaks to the scale of the club's ambition in bringing him to the Etihad. There had been some scrutiny over the size of the transfer fee given the demands and exposure that come with his position, but his composure suggests those concerns may prove unfounded.
City boss Enzo Maresca praised the youngster's temperament, pointing to an example from a recent fixture against Coventry. "He is very good," Maresca said. "Against Coventry, he lost two balls and after that he was inside our box and calm. Other players may have panicked but at 18, he is a fantastic player. Tonight, he was very good. He speaks French, English, Spanish perfect. He is different in how mature he is. This is why the club has made the effort for him to be with us."
Despite earlier reports suggesting City might sign Bouaddi and immediately loan him back to Lille, sources close to the club indicated that such an arrangement was never under consideration. Instead, the England-based giants moved quickly to integrate him into the first-team picture, a decision that appears to be paying dividends after just his tenth appearance in the competition.
Haaland, who netted twice in the win, was quick to credit his young teammate afterward, even as he jokingly complained about missing out on a potential assist. "He did a really good game," Haaland said. "The last couple of weeks in training, he has been amazing. I think we have got a gem there, to be honest. I think he should've played me through in the second half so I was a bit angry. But he played a good game... except for that pass."
Bouaddi's rise mirrors an earlier career highlight, when he earned a standing ovation from Lille fans after contributing to a shock win over holders Real Madrid two seasons ago. Now, with City's faithful witnessing his talent firsthand, the teenager appears poised to become a fixture in Maresca's midfield plans.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.