A new piece of the Manchester City midfield is ready to go as Crystal Palace await Enzo Maresca’s side

A new piece of the Manchester City midfield is ready to go as Crystal Palace await Enzo Maresca’s side Manchester City confirmed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille yesterday. The 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder is expected to be a key component of the City’s future midfield. Bouaddi also possesses enough quality to come in and contribute to Enzo Maresca’s squad straight away. City take on Crystal Palace tomorrow night at Selhurst Park in their second Premier League match of the 2026-27 season. Enzo Maresca has today revealed that Bouaddi is ready to go for the match, although he has urged everyone to be patient with the Moroccan midfield sensation. Ayyoub Bouaddi is ready to slot into the Manchester City squad against Crystal Palace, but Maresca adds that Bouaddi needs time to adapt to his new home. Enzo Maresca faced the media today in his pre-game press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace tomorrow night. Maresca was asked if Bouaddi was ready to play in tomorrow night’s match at Selhurst Park. The Italian manager said that Bouaddi was fit and ready to play tomorrow night. He explained: “ He is ready, he was working with his former club so he is fit. We will see how long it is in terms of adaptation but for sure he is ready to go. ” Enzo Maresca added that patience is required with Manchester City’s new signing. Ayyoub Bouaddi is arguably the best teenage midfielder in football, however he will need time to adapt to a new team and a new league. Maresca added that it is his, and Manchester City’s, duty to guide Bouaddi through this process. Maresca added: “ He’s quite calm. He doesn’t look 18 – he looks older which is important but in this case we need to go slowly because he is young, came from a different country. ” “ No rush for him. For sure he will help us now and in the future. But he is just 18. It is my job and it’s the club’s job to manage him in the best way, don’t put pressure on him, he is young and he needs time. ” A spot on the bench may be on the cards for Ayyoub Bouaddi at Selhurst Park as City take their time with their new midfielder. Ayyoub Bouaddi will make an impact at Manchester City at some stage this season. Probably sooner rather than later. However, the elegant midfielder will need time to settle into Enzo Maresca’s squad and the Premier League. Ligue One is a quality league and the physicality in the French top flight is good preparation for life in the Premier League. The Premier League is, however, a different beast entirely to Ligue One. Therefore, Bouaddi will need time to grow into his new surroundings. Based on this, it would seem unlikely that Bouaddi will start at Selhurst Park. If Bouaddi can get minutes into his legs against Crystal Palace that will be a good start for him. Ayyoub Bouaddi is ready to go and should be in Enzo Maresca’s squad for tomorrow night’s match against Crystal Palace. It would be a surprise to see Bouaddi start on the bench. Also, the Moroccan midfielder will need time to grow into life at City as Enzo Maresca has explained today.