Othmane Maamma, the Moroccan prodigy shaking up the Premier League
The name Othmane Maamma is beginning to resonate insistently on the other side of the Channel. At just 20 years old, the young Moroccan international of Watford is emerging as one of the most closely followed profiles in English football, to the point of attracting the attention of Premier League heavyweights such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle.
Having arrived quietly last summer from Montpellier for a modest fee, Maamma quickly silenced the skeptics. His meteoric rise has its roots in an exceptional U20 World Cup, where he led the Moroccan national team to the top, winning the Ballon d’Or of the tournament thanks to his creativity, speed and technical maturity.
Back in England, the young winger has continued to confirm. His convincing performances with Watford have made him an essential part of Xavi Gracia’s setup, contributing directly to the club’s ambitions in the race for promotion. His versatility, being able to play both on the right and on the left and to use both feet, makes him a modern player, perfectly suited to the demands of English football.
The match against Birmingham, which Watford won comfortably, served as an ideal showcase. No fewer than a dozen clubs were represented in the stands, proof of the growing interest surrounding the Moroccan talent. While Watford are standing firm about a departure this winter, next summer could well be marked by a fierce battle to secure his services.
Othmane Maamma now embodies a new generation of Moroccan players trained to excellence, capable of imposing themselves in the most demanding leagues. At this pace, his future already seems mapped out toward the biggest stages of European football.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv
