Akliouche, by small touches, the (beautiful) promises of the attacking midfielder of AS Monaco
His first two appearances in the eleven in Ligue 1 showed promise (technical quality, vision of the game) and progress to be made (impact in duels, management of recklessness and finishing).
A big character
In the Marne, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder won over with his one-touch play and his placement between the lines. Even if he came close to expulsion in the second half for a tackle leaning on Diouf, the Reims goalkeeper. He played with serenity despite his young age, as he had already done in Paris when he entered during the game.
In the Hérault, he was more timid, caught up by a slight pressure. He crosses at the start of the action leading to the Embolo goal, but he made little difference on the right side and Philippe Clément logically replaced him at the break. The native of Tremblay-en-France (Seine-Saint-Denis) was disappointed but did not hold it against his coach. Lucid, the one who grew up in Montreuil knows that he was not transcendent. And he should not be established for the first time in the European Cup, tomorrow in Trabzon in the Europa League.
Close to Matazo, Disasi or Badiashile, who facilitated his integration when Niko Kovac joined him in the pro group in July 2021, he also gets along with foreigners in the locker room including Breel Embolo. The striker and Akliouche see each other outside La Turbie. “They have a bond and are friends. Breel talks to him a lot”, specifies its close circle. The left-hander feeds on the experience of the Swiss international and the many matches he devours on TV.
Boy “silent” and “shy”like the presenter who rubbed shoulders with him, Akliouche won over the group’s executives with his humility. “He didn’t come in saying, ‘I have potential and fuck you’. He’s a thoughtful person”, delivers his close guard. Discreet, blue-eyed Mickey, a nickname he was given at the training center for his azure gaze, remains a character player. This asset has already been useful to him in his career, from Villemomble to ASM, via Torcy and INF Clairefontaine (2015-17). The signing of his first professional contract, effective in February, was far from being won last. “In 2020, the leaders did not know if he would pass the course physically, we explain around him. The club doesn’t want him to be a pro. He believed that it should not do with the N2 and that he should even play with the III team in Regional. Fortunately, it has grown.”
“At that time, he told me that he was not going to let go”rewinds Aimé Makabi, coach son at Villemomble from the U9s to the U11s, with whom he remained close.
New update on his future in November
This summer, his future seemed linked to those of Diop and Gelson Martins. The first joined Nice late, the second was to be sold but he never left. In a period when sales took time, the ASM board advised him to find a base before blocking it in the last days of the transfer window. Philippe Clément notably worked for the curator. Werder Bremen and Real Sociedad have recommended a loan with an option to buy. Strasbourg and Lorient wanted to attract him on a dry loan but all these advances were rejected, including a transfer offer of 10 Me from Lille. ASM sporting director Paul Mitchell considers the playmaker worth much more. Hazards which the ex-international U20 has come to terms with. “He was not paralyzed”blown clan son.
Winning in Monaco is his will but his progress requires regular playing time. His contract runs until June 2024 with talks over a possible extension set to begin in the coming months. The player and his relatives make a point in November, just before the World Cup. If its use is not considered sufficient, a departure will be studied again this winter. Mature and enduring, he considers that he expresses himself better by chaining matches. Clément predicts a good career for him but does not want to burn his wings. An Akliouche to convince him. The kid knows what he wants: to take on responsibilities.
The eleven likely face to Trabzonspor: Nübel – Vanderson, Disasi, Maripan, Henrique – Minamino, Fofana, Camara, Golovin – Ben Yedder (c), Embolo.