Bouaddi shone at this summer’s World Cup, starting five of Morocco’s six matches as they reached the quarter-finals, having already announced himself by starring in Lille’s 2024 Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
A deep-lying playmaker by trade, he would pair well with Anderson, who excels both as a box-to-box midfielder and in the number six role he fills for England.
Since debuting in October 2023—just three days after his 16th birthday—Bouaddi has made 88 appearances for Lille and was instrumental in their third-place finish in Ligue 1 last season.
He became Lille’s youngest-ever player when he made his senior debut against KI a few days after turning 16 in 2023.
Supporters at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy serenaded him after he helped Lille defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday.
He subsequently broke an Eden Hazard record by reaching 50 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille at just 18 years old.