Ayyoub Bouaddi: maths student, chess fan and Manchester City’s new Rodri

The £85m midfielder passed his exams a year early, is studying for a degree and is ready to tackle Premier League learning curve “He’s like a computer,” the former Lille head of academy recruitment Mathieu Frison says of the £85m Manchester City recruit Ayyoub Bouaddi. “You teach him something, he learns it and can do it immediately.” Bouaddi has the mountainous challenge at his new club of replacing the best central midfielder in the world. It would be difficult for any player but at 18 years old it feels monumental, although those who know the Morocco international best would not bet against

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