Amine Gouiri has made a blistering start to life at Olympique de Marseille, registering eight goals and three assists in just 12 Ligue 1 appearances, surpassing Didier Drogba’s early impact at the club.
Signed from Rennes for €22 million during the winter transfer window, the Algerian international has quickly become a central figure under Roberto De Zerbi.
His influence on the pitch has been immediate and undeniable, with a blend of creativity, movement and clinical finishing that has reignited Marseille’s attacking threat.
His eighth league goal came in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Lille, further cementing his growing reputation among the Marseille faithful.
The comparison with Drogba, one of Marseille’s most iconic figures of the 21st century, is inevitable.
While Drogba managed seven goals and three assists in his first dozen Ligue 1 matches for the club, Gouiri has now contributed directly to 11 goals in the same span.
It is a statistical achievement that speaks volumes about his integration and impact.
Questions over Marseille’s long-standing striker dilemma appear to be fading. Elye Wahi’s underwhelming stint, with just three goals in the first half of the season, ended with his move to Eintracht Frankfurt.
In Gouiri, Marseille seem to have found a forward capable of filling that void with both consistency and flair.
At 25, Gouiri is entering his prime and his performances suggest he is ready to shoulder the responsibility of leading Marseille’s attack.
De Zerbi has been vocal in his praise, describing him as a player with the qualities of a number 10 while adding that he aims to mould him into a goal-getter, a sniper.
Beyond his goal return, Gouiri’s vision and ability to link play have added a new dimension to Marseille’s game. His sharp passing and intelligent movement have provided attacking options that had previously been missing.
Whether creating opportunities or finishing them off, Gouiri has been at the heart of much of Marseille’s resurgence in recent weeks.
His quick adaptation is even more remarkable given the pressure that comes with leading the line at one of France’s most passionately supported clubs.
Yet Gouiri has embraced the challenge, delivering consistently in high-stakes matches and winning over supporters with his commitment and performances.
While it remains early in his Marseille tenure, the signs are promising. If he maintains this form, Gouiri could not only eclipse more records but also establish himself as one of the defining figures of a new era at the Vélodrome.
With Marseille pushing for European qualification and building momentum under De Zerbi, Gouiri’s form could prove decisive in shaping the rest of their campaign.
For now, though, his historic start has already placed him among elite company and perhaps, in time, his name will be mentioned alongside the very legends he is beginning to surpass.
