Ayyoub Bouaddi vs Kees Smit: Which up-and-coming midfield starlet suits Liverpool more?
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool look likely to sign a new midfielder this summer, with moves for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar talked up in the press.New reports claim that Liverpool have met with Bouaddi ahead of a proposed £60m move, while Smit has been linked in what would likely be a marginally cheaper deal.Aged 18 and 20 respectively, Bouaddi and Smit look like being two of the next generation’s most celebrated midfielders, but which one is the better option for Andoni Iraola? How excited are you by Liverpool’s surprise signing of Victor Munoz?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/David Aliaga/NurPhoto Smit is more of a box-to-box midfielderThe first thing to say is that we do not yet know what Iraola will look for in his Liverpool midfield. He tended to play with a midfield two of Alex Scott and Tyler Adams last season with Bournemouth, and he has players who could do a similar job already in the squad at Liverpool.Nevertheless, in this same set-up, it is fair to say that Smit is more likely to be a more natural fit.The Netherlands international is an archetypal box-to-box midfielder, who gets forward to attack as much as he likes to defend.Photo by Ed van de Pol/BSR Agency/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Liverpool’s smartest decision of the transfer window has already been made and the World Cup is proving itHe scored three goals and registered three assists in the Eredivisie last season, pointing to his forward-facing instincts, and though his tackles per 90 minutes came in at 1.5 to Bouaddi’s 2.5, he did beat the Moroccan for ball recoveries (5.1 to 5.0).Losing the ball 10.5 times per match compared to Bouaddi’s 9.5, he is a more risky passer than the Lille man and his shooting statistics – on average he takes 1.01 shot per game compared to Bouaddi at 0.31 – shows that he is far more likely to appear in the final third.Bouaddi can do the defensive workWhile Smit looks like an exciting midfielder on paper, Liverpool fans have been crying out for a top quality, defensive-minded player since Fabinho left in 2023.Bouaddi would certainly be that, with the 18-year-old deployed as a sitting midfielder who does not venture much further than beyond the halfway line.Registering 1.43 successful tackles per match (compared to Smit’s 1.05), Bouaddi also clears the ball more (1.12 per 90 vs 0.76), intercepts the ball more (1.04 to 0.63) and has a better win percentage in ground duels (63% to 45%).Standing six feet tall, Bouaddi has around two inches on Smit, and though he looks more slender than the Dutchman, Fabinho proved that that does not have to be a disadvantage as a holding midfielder.Verdict: Liverpool need Bouaddi moreClearly, these are two of the most talented young midfielders on the market right now, and either would generate excitement as a new signing for Liverpool.
Who would you rather see at Liverpool next season, Diomande or Barcola? 🤔 One of the most exciting teens in Europe vs a Champions League winner… Photo by Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images Nevertheless, given the ease with which the Reds were played through last season, most supporters would like to see more steel added in midfield next term.Smit does like a tackle, and his all-action style could certainly help with that, but Iraola should be looking into buying a sitter who can help get the best out of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and maybe even Alexis Mac Allister.Neither of these two youngsters should expect to come in and command a starting spot straight away, but in time it looks as though Bouaddi could be one of the best holding midfielders around. Liverpool would do well to get in on the ground floor of that.The fee is expensive, but unlikely to be prohibitive, and given he would add something that this Liverpool squad doesn’t really seem to have, Bouaddi would be our choice this summer.