Yacine Adli is France’s answer to Ryan Sessegnon.. and he can leave PSG for £250k
Adli, 17, has reportedly caught the eye of Arsenal, Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus
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IN England there is plenty of talk about 17-year-old Ryan Sessegnon being one of the brightest prospects in world football.
But across the Channel there is a French youngster of the same age who’s also attracting interest from Europe’s best.
According to L’Equipe, Yacine Adli has caught the eye of Arsenal, Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus.
And with the teenager on the radar of so many clubs, we’ve asked our friends at Football Whispers to profile the wonderkid.
Born in 2000, Adli has come through the youth academy at PSG but is yet to make a first team appearance for Les Parisiens.
He has regularly been called up to the first-team squad for training sessions, which sees him practising his trade alongside the likes of Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe.
Last year, he said: “Yes, I have trained a bit with them in the past. They are the best players in the world.
And he’s obviously impressed. Back in November Adli was named as a substitute for the Coupe de la Ligue tie at Strasbourg, although he didn’t come on to make his professional debut.
But the lack of senior game time hasn’t stopped Europe’s scouts from being impressed. And they will have got a good look at him in the UEFA Youth League, a competition for all 64 of the continent’s under-18 sides.
He’s played 11 times in that tournament for PSG since 2016 and has scored once, that goal coming in a tie with Celtic in November.
Adli mainly plays as a central midfielder, although he is capable of featuring as a No.10 too. On occasions for France Under-17s, he has featured as further forward, usually on the right wing.
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Right-footed, the teenager has impressed with his technique, deft touches and silky dribbling. He can go past opposing players with ease and can quickly help his side transition from defence to attack. Adli likes to run from deep and then pick out a pinpoint pass over the top of opposition back lines.
In his seven matches in the UEFA Youth League this season, he has averaged 43.25 passes per 90, 83 percent of which have been completed. The 17-year-old also completes 2.03 dribbles per 90.
He can perform a role in defence too, and has made 2.92 interceptions per 90 in the competition.
Adli isn’t only impressing for PSG’s youth sides. He’s represented France at Under-17 and Under-16 level, with 16 caps for the older age group. He’s scored six times for them since his debut in September 2016.
He was part of the French side at last summer’s Under-17 World Cup, with Les Bleus losing to eventual runners up Spain in the last 16 stage.
His national team manager Lionel Rouxel rates him highly, saying during the tournament: “He has the talent to go all the way. He is a good boy, got the game and the mentality. He can do what many others can’t do.”
And his ability to do what others can’t is why PSG academy sporting director Luis Fernandez is believed to have told the club to pull out all the stops to keep hold of him this summer.
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If they are unable to convince him to stay, he could be on his way to one of Europe’s biggest clubs for a pittance.
Adli would cost around £250,000, which is a nominal compensation fee at the end of his contract. Such a low price is a real contrast to fellow 17-year-old Sessegnon, who Tottenham are ready to bid £35million for.
With such hype surrounding the PSG youngster, the side where Adli ends up at will know they’ve got a real bargain.