Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi made his first Premier League start for Manchester City on Saturday, October 17, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium.
The 19-year-old midfielder was named in Enzo Maresca’s starting lineup after three previous league appearances as a substitute.
Bouaddi completed the match with 92 touches, seven line-breaking passes and seven ground duels won, according to Manchester City’s official post-match figures.
The result extended City’s perfect start to the Premier League season to seven consecutive victories.
Bouaddi completes 90 minutes in City midfield
Maresca selected Bouaddi alongside Mateo Kovačić in central midfield, following the Moroccan’s second-half appearance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on October 14.
City took the lead in the 19th minute through Phil Foden, who converted a pass from Jérémy Doku.
Ipswich responded two minutes later when Daizen Maeda equalized, but Erling Haaland restored City’s advantage in the 34th minute.
Haaland scored again in the 69th minute to make it 3-1 before Zian Flemming converted a late penalty for Ipswich.
Bouaddi remained on the field throughout, recording seven line-breaking passes that helped City move possession through midfield.
He also won seven ground duels as the home side held on for its seventh league victory of the campaign.
Another Morocco international, Issa Diop, started in central defence for Ipswich.
A first league start following his move from Lille
Bouaddi joined Manchester City from Lille in August, completing a high-profile transfer to the Premier League.
His first league start came less than two months after the move and followed a series of substitute appearances as he settled into the squad.
Speaking to Manchester City’s official website after the Ipswich match, Bouaddi expressed satisfaction at receiving his opportunity.
He acknowledged the pressure of protecting a narrow lead and said playing alongside City’s established first-team players made the experience easier.
The appearance also comes shortly after Bouaddi overtook Achraf Hakimi in Morocco’s market-value rankings, with his estimated value reaching €90 million in Transfermarkt’s October update.
For Morocco, the midfielder’s increasing involvement at City provides further competitive experience ahead of November’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Atlas Lions face Niger twice on November 13 and 17, with head coach Mohamed Ouahbi yet to announce his squad.
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