Meet Sofiane Boufal, the Chelsea & Arsenal target drawing comparisons with Eden Hazard
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Ligue 1 has become something of a hotbed for talent in recent years with the likes of Eden Hazard, Dimitri Payet and N’Golo Kante all being unearthed from France’s top tier.
The trio, like many others from across the Channel, have lit up the Premier League while proving good value for money.
However this summer English teams have already lost out on teenage sensation Ousmane Dembele, who joined Borussia Dortmund from Stade Rennais, and it seems as if the Premier League’s elite are going to be facing a fight to lure Lille star Sofiane Boufal to these shores too.
As reported by the Guardian, both Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in securing the winger’s signature this summer but face competition from La Liga giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
The aforementioned article states that Lille are resigned to losing Boufal, who is valued at €25 million (£19.6m), during the summer transfer window so what should Premier League fans expect if the Morocco international joins the long list of players to swap France for England?
What is his background?
Boufal, who was born in Paris as one of 11 siblings, developed his trade in the Angers youth system after failing to make the cut at a bigger club.
Having made his senior debut for the team in Ligue 2 in 2012, Boufal was the subject of a €4 million bid from Lille halfway through the 2014/15 campaign – which resulted in Angers’ winning promotion to France’s top flight.
Boufal settled instantly at Lille that season, making 14 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring three times and registering six assists
How has he done this season?
Boufal has really built on his first year at Lille and this season the 22-year-old was one of the revelations of the campaign. Lille’s opening half of the season was dire but Boufal remained the bright spark, regularly serving up moments of inspiration.
When Frederic Antoinetti was appointed in November to replace Herve Renard, there were some concerns due to his penchant for solid football rather than an expansive style. However, he seemed to give Boufal a new lease of life, trying him in different positions and granting him more freedom.
Boufal finished the season with 11 goals and four assists, with all but four goals coming after Antoinetti was appointed. His crowning performance came away at GFC Ajaccio in April when he scored an impressive hat-trick as he tormented the opposition throughout.
What are his best attributes?
The trait that stands out most prominently about Boufal is his close control of the ball. He benefits from a low centre of gravity and, like the best dribblers in the world, the ball seems to be stuck to his feet at times. He won 124 take-ons this season and only five players in Europe’s top five leagues won more.
He’s also shown an impressive consistency in front of goal, although at times he can be a little bit selfish. This stems from the fact that he regularly has to do everything at Lille, though this is unlikely to occur at a better side where he could focus on his creative output.
Boufal’s versatility will also appeal to any potential suitors, as he can play on either flank or in the No.10 role. Due to his style of play and his performances at Lille, many have even compared him to Chelsea star Hazard.
Squawker
Squawker
