Marseille’s head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, is actively encouraging their new acquisition, Amine Gouiri, to realize his potential as one of the premier strikers in Europe.
Recently, Gouiri showcased his exceptional talent by scoring two brilliant goals and contributing to three others in Marseille’s impressive 5-1 victory against Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 last Saturday.
Since joining from Rennes for 22 million euros (approximately $23 million) during the January transfer window, he has registered three assists across his first three matches.
In a press briefing leading up to Marseille’s upcoming Ligue 1 clash with Auxerre, De Zerbi expressed his belief in Gouiri’s abilities, stating, “He isn’t fully aware of the strengths he possesses, the qualities he brings to the team. My aim is to instill that self-belief in him.”
The coach also drew comparisons between Gouiri and legendary forward Gonzalo Higuain, particularly in their movement and overall gameplay, adding, “Amine has all the tools to become one of the top center forwards in Europe; he just needs to have that self-confidence.”
The 24-year-old player, now representing Algeria, garnered attention as a significant talent in French football after being the top scorer for France in the 2017 European Under-17 Championship.
However, his journey faced a setback when he sustained a severe knee injury during his time at Lyon, just a year later.
Following his departure from Lyon to Nice, he landed at Rennes in the summer of 2022 for 28 million euros (around $29.3 million), and recorded a personal best of 15 league goals that season.
Gouiri exhibits versatility, capable of playing as a central striker, drifting in from the left, or launching attacks from deeper positions.
This range of skills can complicate defensive strategies, thanks to his seamless integration into fast-paced offensive plays.
However, De Zerbi believes this very versatility might be hindering Gouiri’s development as a pure finisher.
“He possesses attributes typical of a No. 10 (playmaker),” De Zerbi commented. “Yet, when it comes to scoring, he must demonstrate the decisiveness of a No. 9 and ensure he consistently positions himself well in relation to the goal.”
Currently, Marseille stands in second place in Ligue 1, trailing the unbeaten leader, Paris Saint-Germain, by 10 points.
