Many Wolves players have enjoyed brilliant campaigns this season after Gary O’Neil replaced Julen Lopetegui just days before the new season – and one man who’s seriously impressed is Rayan Ait-Nouri.
The season is finishing in a couple of weeks, and fans are delighted that there is no relegation battle, when it looked as though one would be certain before a ball was kicked this term.
O’Neil has done a sterling job, and so many players have improved under his guidance.
Ait-Nouri is one player who has taken massive strides in his development.
The 22-year-old was famously ousted from the squad at the end of last season by Lopetegui, and it looked as though his Wolves career was perhaps coming to an end.
Things have changed dramatically though this season for Ait-Nouri, to the point where he can now count himself unlucky not to be among the Young Player of the Season nominations…
Rayan Ait-Nouri is unlucky not to be a Young Player of the Season nominee
Today, the Premier League officially announced the nominees for the Young Player of the Season award.
Unfortunately, there are no representatives from Wolves. Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, William Saliba, Alexander Isak, Kobbie Mainoo and Destiny Udogie are the players in contention for the award.
While all of those players are deserving of their inclusions, one does feel a tad sorry for Ait-Nouri, who has been simply fantastic under O’Neil at Wolves this season.
The Algeria international has made 31 appearances in the league, with O’Neil having taken a shine to him very early on.
Ait-Nouri has played mainly as a left wing-back, but in the last couple of months – when key players like Matheus Cunha, Hwang Hee-chan and Pedro Neto were out injured – he played further forward. The decision to do that was branded a ‘masterstroke’ by pundit Paul Merson.
Ait-Nouri has scored two goals and made one assist in the Premier League, and should probably have a couple more goals to his name, having had brilliant chances against Aston Villa and Burnley recently.
But Wolves fans have been dazzled by this young player’s technical ability, which allows him to look comfortable in most areas of the pitch.
He can still overdo things, but Ait-Nouri is a serious talent, and it is little wonder he has recently overtaken Neto as the player at Wolves with the most transfer interest.
A shame for Ait-Nouri, but his stature has grown
So Ait-Nouri has missed out, and he and also Joao Gomes can feel a tad unlucky to not be included.
It is always difficult for players at clubs lower down in the table to get noticed. Across the two awards, there are no representatives from any team lower down than eighth.
But Ait-Nouri can most definitely hold his head high for the season he has had, and how far he has come compared to this same time last year.
The £10 million man must have been feeling pretty down when he was being left out of all those matchday squads by Lopetegui.
Now, without any doubt, he’s one of Wolves’ best prospects, and best players period. Hopefully, he can make the shortlist next season, or perhaps even win it, who knows. But ideally, he won’t be leaving the club amid transfer interest.