Rayan Aït-Nouri

[roy.or.r]

He’s a level above Kerkez. Take a look at the comparison between the two players online.

No he is not.

 

[dhruvblue]

One more Jorge Mendes agent from Wolves

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

One more Jorge Mendes agent from Wolves

he's not.

 

[xMatMcC]

One more Jorge Mendes agent from Wolves

Joined a new agency recently (left Mendes). Likely ready for his big club move.

 

[doobyedoobye]

Not elite at all or elite potential

 

[dubblue]

Not elite at all or elite potential

Do you not think so?..I’ve always been impressed with him. Maybe in a better side he will excel.

 

[urban genie]

Not elite at all or elite potential

because?

 

[doobyedoobye]

I don't see him as defensively sound

 

[youngbob]

I don't see him as defensively sound

Honestly think the only defensively sound left-backs we've had since the takeover have been Clichy and Delph (for about six months in 2018). Why start now? Lol.

 

[vicblueman]

Isn't he only got a year left on his contract surely would've thought £20m max. Either way I hope City get this done he's always impressed me and can rotate with Aké/O'Reilly

Whose this Ake Oreilly is he any good for back up ?

 

[Manc in London]

The comparison is a bit flawed when one plays as a fullback and the other one plays as a wingback. Based on what I have seen from them I would say that Air-Nouri is better going forward but Kerkez is significantly better at defending (while still being good, just not as good, going forward). Would prefer Kerkez since I dont really rate fullbacks who I dont trust when they have to do actual defending even if they get an attacking return (goal or assist) every third game or so.

Easier to develop defensive skills in a player (much of it is about positioning) than it is to develop offensive skills.

 

[mscenterh750]

Would be a good start of summer transfers if we sign this lad. Cracking player.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

I watched a highlights video and the main weaknesses I noticed were his lack of pace and him going to ground too often with sliding tackles (probably linked tbh). That might just be the editor choosing the most spectacular bits of defending, but I reckon if you were to do highlights of peak Kyle Walker, you'd struggle to find examples of him having to do a sliding tackle to recover.

 

[Ajm1985]

I watched a highlights video and the main weaknesses I noticed were his lack of pace and him going to ground too often with sliding tackles (probably linked tbh). That might just be the editor choosing the most spectacular bits of defending, but I reckon if you were to do highlights of peak Kyle Walker, you'd struggle to find examples of him having to do a sliding tackle to recover.

He's not Khusanov but he doesn't lack pace

 

[01cravend]

He's better than Kerkez imo...let's compare.

Ait-Nouri - 4 goals, 7 assists, 86.7% pass completion, 46 chances completed, 89 tackles, 26 interceptions, 66 clearances, 55 take ons, 22/52 aerial duels won

Kerkez - 2 goals, 5 assists, 80.4% pass completion, 36 chances created, 52 tackles, 45 interceptions, 99 clearances, 22 take ons, 28/77 aerial duels won


Very good going forward and can defend. Got a bit of Marcelo about him in that he's incredibly skillful for a fullback, can shoot and cross. The ball retention and ball carrying means he would be suited to inverting too.

 

[come-on-barney]

He's better than Kerkez imo...let's compare.

Ait-Nouri - 4 goals, 7 assists, 86.7% pass completion, 46 chances completed, 89 tackles, 26 interceptions, 66 clearances, 55 take ons, 22/52 aerial duels won

Kerkez - 2 goals, 5 assists, 80.4% pass completion, 36 chances created, 52 tackles, 45 interceptions, 99 clearances, 22 take ons, 28/77 aerial duels won


Very good going forward and can defend. Got a bit of Marcelo about him in that he's incredibly skillful for a fullback, can shoot and cross. The ball retention and ball carrying means he would be suited to inverting too.

Has pace, can beat a player, can cross a ball at pace, can cut inside and thread a through ball. Reasonable height. He would be a really good signing.

 

[GX Blue]

Dunno why but I thought he had injury issues.

But that’s not true. It’s not true at all actually.

He played 37/38 games this season. Excellent.

 

[Chak19]

Don't care until we get it done.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Dunno why but I thought he had injury issues.

But that’s not true. It’s not true at all actually.

He played 37/38 games this season. Excellent.

Had easily the most minutes for Wolves in the PL.

 

[Vester]

He's better than Kerkez imo...let's compare.

Ait-Nouri - 4 goals, 7 assists, 86.7% pass completion, 46 chances completed, 89 tackles, 26 interceptions, 66 clearances, 55 take ons, 22/52 aerial duels won

Kerkez - 2 goals, 5 assists, 80.4% pass completion, 36 chances created, 52 tackles, 45 interceptions, 99 clearances, 22 take ons, 28/77 aerial duels won


Very good going forward and can defend. Got a bit of Marcelo about him in that he's incredibly skillful for a fullback, can shoot and cross. The ball retention and ball carrying means he would be suited to inverting too.

The main problem as I see it with this comparison is that one plays as a fullback in a back 4, the other one plays as a wingback.
Here is another stat; Wolves had a 100% loss reckord in PL (7 out of 7) with Ait-Nouri playing as a fullback in a back 4 this season, compared to only losing 7 out of 30 (23%) when he was playing in a role with less defensive responsibility.
Not saying it means much but or that this record is down to him but as always there is some question marks about the defensive qualities of wingbacks if they have to play in a back 4, it's easier to look great with less defensive responsibility. Especially when it's very attacking ones like Ait-Nouri. The few games I've seen him in a back 4 he looked to be somewhat of a liability in defense, but thats in Wolves and it might look different in City.

With that said, I think he would be an interesting signing and hopefully Pep can coach him to be decent enough defensively. In attack he certainly looks very exiting!