The Spotlight: Bachir Kitab
The most Spanish-like young Moroccan midfielder in recent years.
Today, The Spotlight is on Bachir Kitab, a midfielder from the 2009 generation of the renowned Académie Mohammed 6. Although this generation may not be the most promising in recent years, he stands out, in my opinion, as its brightest spark. I previously covered another promising player from this AM6 generation, Adam Boughazir, but now, let’s turn our focus to Bachir Kitab!
Early Life and Football Beginnings
As is the case for most local Moroccan players, it is very difficult to obtain verified information. However, I did find that he was born in 2009, joined Académie Mohammed VI at the age of 13, and an interesting fact he is the young cousin of a certain Azzedine Ounahi, who also developed his game at Académie Mohammed VI for three years. And that’s it.
Profile on the pitch
During this tournament, Bachir Kitab played both as a No. 8 and a No. 6. However, based on my observations, his skill set and playing style make him much more suited to a box-to-box role rather than a deeper defensive position. To give a clearer idea, his style of play reminds me of Benjamin Bouchouari (though with less dynamism and explosiveness), someone who thrives in possession, helping his team progress the ball efficiently and inject tempo into the game.
While he undoubtedly adds significant value to his team when his side has the ball, his defensive contribution leaves much to be desired. As we will explore in more detail later, his ability to win duels and recover possession is an area where he falls short.
Now, let’s break down the key aspects of his game :
Physically, he possesses the stamina required for a box-to-box role. Across four full 80-minute matches played every two days, it was inevitable that his intensity dropped in the latter stages of the tournament, but overall, his stamina stood out.
In terms of speed, he is decent over short distances but cannot rely on pace to make a difference. One of the aspects I really appreciate about his game is his balance combined with his technical abilities (we’ll see that more in depth later), which allows him to remain composed and efficient under pressure. His ability to evade pressure even in tight situations near his own box, while assessing the situation with composure and managing the tempo of the game is an asset I particularly appreciate.
Technically, Bachir Kitab seems ahead of his peers. His first touch and ball control are both high-level, and he has no trouble using both feet as well as different surfaces of his foot to manipulate the ball. What impressed me the most was his ability to quickly correct any mistakes in his control or dribbling, recovering smoothly even when he slightly misjudges a touch.
As mentioned earlier, his impact is much more significant on the offensive side. He fits the profile of a playmaker who can make a difference through his passing, particularly with assists AND second assists. His vision is excellent, and he masters La Pausa to make the best possible decision before executing progressive, high-value passes that break lines. This ability is also facilitated by his strong ankle flexibility, which allows him to adjust the angle and weight of his passes with great precision, even in tight situations.
However, despite these qualities, there is still some inconsistency in his passing execution. Given his skill set, I believe he is capable of being more efficient and precise in this area, and improving his consistency should be a key focus moving forward.
Tactically, watching Bachir Kitab move on the pitch is a real pleasure, his understanding of spatial dynamics is impressive. His off-the-ball movement when his team is in possession is a major asset, he is constantly working to create space, making micro-adjustments to always offer passing solutions to his teammates, and frequently making intelligent runs into open spaces and between the lines. His effectiveness in scanning is a key element that sets him apart tactically, allowing him to anticipate play and position himself advantageously in possession.
However, when his team is out of possession and he needs to contribute defensively, this is where he falls short. At times, he displays a degree of complacency and nonchalance, which often results in him being late to defensive duels. Despite this, his positional awareness remains decent, particularly when he uses cover shadow mechanisms to block passing lanes, again, largely thanks to his scanning ability. Overall, his defensive contribution is underwhelming, but considering his football IQ, I am convinced that he can improve his engagement in these defensive phases, and he has to because it will be crucial for his development.
On the next highlights, stay focused on him (No. 6) and watch how and where he moves + how and where he receive balls as I particularly want to highlight his positioning, off-the-ball play and defensive shortcomings.
Looking Ahead
Bachir Kitab has several standout qualities that make him an exciting prospect. Technically, he is ahead of his peers, with clean ball control and the ability to adjust quickly when making minor errors. His passing game is a real asset, supported by great vision, the use of La Pausa, and even the flexibility of his ankles, which helps him execute difficult passes. Tactically, his scanning ability and understanding of space make him a valuable presence in possession, constantly creating passing options and exploiting gaps with intelligent movements. Physically, his endurance is well-suited to a box-to-box role, and his balance allows him to remain composed under pressure.
However, there are clear aspects of his game that need improvement. His defensive contribution is his biggest weakness, he can be passive, occasionally lacking intensity and commitment in duels. Despite his awareness, his overall impact out of possession remains underwhelming. Additionally, while his passing quality is evident, he lacks consistency in execution, and given his skill set, he should be more efficient in this area.
Looking ahead, I see Bachir following the clear pathway given at Académie Mohammed 6 as a move abroad before his 18 would not be possible. He would need to develop physically and I will track that, but I can see him having a few minutes in the Moroccan first division with UTS around age 18, thanks to the partnership between the club and the academy. I personally would love to see him making a move either to Spain, Belgium or the Netherlands to continue his development, and that’s pretty much it!
Thanks for reading and do not hesitate to share your thoughts on his profile!