Game Monitoring: Adam Boughazir
A four-game report on AM6's 2009-born polyvalent striker.
This report is based on my online observations of Adam Boughazir during four matches at the 2025 Al Kass International Cup. Unfortunately, this tournament is one of the very few opportunities to watch Mohammed VI Academy players in action, making it an invaluable chance to assess Morocco’s next generation.
Adam Boughazir played four games against Aspire Academy, Seattle Sounders FC, Rangers FC, and Al Ahly SC. He played 40 minutes as a right winger, 120 minutes as a striker and 160 minutes as a left winger. While the sample size remains limited, I identified some intriguing attributes as well as areas for improvement that could help him reach his full potential. Let’s dive in!
Physical Attributes
Adam has a relatively slim build but compensates with solid body control, making him physically reliable in duels. Over the four matches, he was consistently one of the tallest players on the pitch and demonstrated a strong command of his frame, particularly in physical battles. His ability to shield the ball using his arms and body makes him difficult to dispossess, whether in direct duels or when playing with his back to goal as a pivot.
In terms of speed, Adam shows interesting qualities for a player of his stature. While he is not a long-distance sprinter, he is capable of executing short bursts of acceleration, which he uses effectively in one-on-one situations. A key aspect of his running style is his ability to manipulate tempo, he often surprises defenders with quick changes of pace, briefly slowing down before accelerating again. This is particularly useful when operating on the wings, where he creates separation from his marker without relying purely on straight-line speed.
His endurance was particularly impressive throughout the tournament. Despite playing four full 80-minute matches in a short span—one match every two days—he managed to maintain intensity until the final minutes. While he is not the most active defensive contributor, his ability to sustain high-intensity runs late in games suggests he has a strong physical foundation and knows how to manage his stamina efficiently.
Technical Attributes
Adam’s strongest qualities appear to be technical. Throughout the tournament, he displayed a high level of consistency in his ball control and execution, making him a reliable and composed presence in possession. His relationship with the ball is particularly impressive—whether in tight spaces or on the move, he maintains close control and executes quick, efficient dribbles without losing balance or fluidity. His ability to carry the ball at pace while keeping it close to his feet is a key part of his game.
One of his signature traits is his love for feints and body movements to unbalance defenders. He constantly uses sudden shifts in direction to beat his marker. In this tournament, he tended to overuse these feints but with good reason, as they were highly effective in 1v1 situations. Defenders often struggled to anticipate his next move, which allowed him to create space even in tight areas.
When positioned on the wings, primarily the left side, where he spent most of his minutes during the tournament, he operates as an inverted winger, cutting inside onto his stronger right foot. His left foot is noticeably weaker, which often dictates his decision-making. He constantly seeks to drive into the half-space or even the central areas to maximize his right-footed ability, rather than taking on defenders down the outside. When he does attempt to go wide and cross with his left, it results in a fair amount of inconsistency, either due to his weaker foot itself or the awkward use of his right foot in difficult angles. However, when he successfully moves into the half-space, he demonstrates a good level of finishing.
Aerially, though, this is an area where he struggles significantly. His anticipation and timing in aerial duels are clear weaknesses, and this aspect of his game will require notable improvement if he wants to develop into a more complete attacking threat.
Tactical Attributes
Adam has shown a good level of adaptability, capable of playing across the attacking front as a striker, on the left wing and right wing. His versatility is an asset, allowing him to take on different roles depending on the team’s tactical setup. However, one major area that stood out in my observations was his lack of awareness in certain in-game situations, particularly regarding offside positioning.
A key issue is his scanning, or rather, the lack of it. Adam rarely checks his surroundings, which often leads to poor positioning during attacking sequences. He gets caught offside frequently, not because of a lack of pace but due to misjudging space and timing. Unlike some forwards who naturally adjust their runs to stay onside, he doesn’t use curved runs to remain in play, making his movement more predictable and easier to defend against. He often seems unaware of defensive lines and does not always time his runs effectively to exploit gaps in behind.
That being said, he has a good instinct for positioning between and behind defenders, which suggests that if he works on his spatial awareness and timing, he could unlock many more goal-scoring opportunities. Improving these aspects of his game would make him a far more dangerous attacking presence, particularly when playing as a striker.
Mental attributes
Evaluating a player’s mental attributes through online observation is always a challenge, as aspects like pre-match warm-ups, on-field communication, and leadership tendencies are harder to assess. However, based on what I observed during the Al Kass International Cup, Adam appears to be a resilient and determined player who stays engaged from the first to the last whistle.
One of his standout traits is his positive mindset, especially when facing setbacks. He doesn’t seem to let mistakes affect him, whether it’s a missed dribble, a lost duel, or an off-target shot, he remains focused and continues trying to make an impact. This ability to push forward despite inefficiencies is valuable, particularly for an attacking player who is expected to take risks.
Conclusion
Adam Boughazir is an intriguing attacking prospect with a strong technical base and an impressive ability to sustain high intensity over multiple matches. His close control, quick bursts of pace, and confident dribbling style, combined with his physical presence, make him a versatile attacking option capable of playing across the frontline. However, as seen throughout the Al Kass International Cup, there are clear areas he must refine to reach his full potential.
From my observations, his key areas for improvement include:
Spatial awareness & off-the-ball movement – Adam often struggles with positioning and timing his runs, leading to frequent offside situations. Improving his scanning habits and understanding of defensive lines will help him create better goal-scoring opportunities.
Left foot usage – His reliance on his right foot limits his efficiency in wide areas, especially when playing on the left. Becoming more comfortable with his weaker foot would make him a more unpredictable and well-rounded attacker.
Aerial ability – His anticipation, timing, and effectiveness in the air remain a weak point. Developing this area could make him a greater threat inside the box and more valuable in duels.
With the right development at the Mohammed VI Academy, Adam has the qualities to become an exciting forward in Morocco’s youth system. Given that many of the top 2009-born players are already competing with Morocco’s U17 National Team, his best opportunity lies with the U16 squad, where he has already gained some experience.
However, to secure a consistent role, he will need to address these key areas while continuing to build on his strengths as they are essential. If he does, he could certainly be a name to watch for Morocco in the coming years.