Adam Tahaui’s rapid rise faces fierce Morocco competition

Adam Tahaui’s progress in the Netherlands has given Morocco another promising attacking option, but the 21-year-old faces a major challenge to break into a national team squad already packed with talented players in his position.

Only a few months ago, Tahaui was playing in the Dutch second tier for Vitesse Arnhem. He enjoyed an outstanding campaign, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists in 37 appearances. His form persuaded NEC Nijmegen to pay about €650,000 for his services and offer him a four-year contract.

The move has taken Tahaui into the Eredivisie, where he has also made his first appearances in the Champions League. It represents a rapid rise for a player who had made only a small number of professional appearances as recently as 2024.

A technically gifted and creative left-footer, Tahaui can operate as a number 10, on the right side of midfield or as a winger. NEC Nijmegen initially signed him to compete with Sami Ouaissa for the right-sided role.

Ouaissa’s move to PSV Eindhoven, confirmed at the beginning of September, has changed Tahaui’s prospects at club level. With a position now available, the former Vitesse Arnhem player has a genuine opportunity to establish himself. He was given a starting role in NEC Nijmegen’s 3-1 victory over PEC Zwolle, underlining that his manager is prepared to trust him.

Morocco competition remains formidable

The more difficult obstacle lies with Morocco. Tahaui is attempting to force his way into one of the most congested areas of the Atlas Lions squad.

Brahim Diaz remains the leading option on the right, where he can also move inside and influence the game centrally. Behind the Real Madrid player, Mohamed Ouahbi already has several young internationals who have strengthened their claims in recent months. As a result, Tahaui’s development in the Netherlands, while encouraging, is not yet enough to make a senior call-up appear imminent.

Chemsdine Talbi is already regarded as one of the promising players established within the Atlas Lions set-up. He underlined his qualities again on Tuesday, scoring Sunderland’s winning goal against Hull City with a delicate chip in a 1-0 victory that secured qualification.

Gessime Yassine has also impressed Mohamed Ouahbi after making a strong start to the season with Strasbourg. He made an impact at the last World Cup too, taking advantage of the limited playing time available to him. Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouya was also part of Morocco’s travelling squad in America.

Ouaissa, now with PSV Eindhoven, could provide another option for the future if he ultimately commits himself fully to Morocco. Tahaui is therefore not competing with only one or two players for recognition. The pathway to the Atlas Lions resembles a sizeable traffic jam.

That depth should not discourage him. At 21, Tahaui’s immediate priority is to secure a consistent run of starts in the Eredivisie and show that the statistics he produced in the second tier can be replicated at a higher level.

His versatility may become an important asset. If Ouahbi views him primarily as an attacking midfielder rather than a conventional winger, Tahaui could offer a different profile to some of his rivals. In such a fiercely contested battle for a place with Morocco, every appearance, performance and step forward will matter.