Spanish coach and current manager of Qatar Julen Lopetegui has expressed his admiration for the Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri’s abilities, believing his potential move to Juventus would be a successful step in his professional career.
Lopetegui and En-Nesyri worked together at Spanish outfit, FC Sevilla between 2020 and 2022, impacting positively on the Moroccan career.
According to Lopetegui, En-Nesyri possesses significant room for improvement, along with technical and interpersonal qualities that will facilitate his adaptation to the Italian league, stressing the attacker has clear attributes that enable him to contribute to Juventus.
Reflecting on their time at Sevilla, Lopetegui recalled how the Andalusian side signed En-Nesyri from Leganés and quickly integrated him into a system built on intense pressing and constant movement without the ball.
Beyond his athleticism, Lopetegui praised En-Nesyri’s commitment to teamwork and his willingness to apply sustained pressure on opposing defenses.
He also pointed to the striker’s effectiveness in aerial duels, attributing it to his excellent timing, bravery inside the box, and determination when attacking crosses.
On a personal level, Lopetegui described En-Nesyri as a calm, composed, and respectful individual. He emphasized that the player is naturally reserved and deeply committed to his religious values, qualities that require a considerate and understanding approach from those working with him.
The coach also revealed that during their time at Sevilla, he often relied on fellow Moroccan international and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to help bridge communication with En-Nesyri, especially as the striker was still in the early stages of his career at just 22 years old.
Lopetegui underlined that En-Nesyri today is a far more complete player than he was during their Sevilla days, having matured significantly through his experiences with Sevilla, Fenerbahçe, and the Moroccan national team. According to him, these stages have shaped the striker both professionally and personally.
Looking ahead to a possible move to Italy, Lopetegui believes Serie A would suit En-Nesyri better than his stint in Turkey, citing factors such as competitiveness and ease of adaptation. While acknowledging that representing Juventus would come with immense pressure and expectations, he expressed confidence in the striker’s mental strength and capacity to shoulder responsibility.
The 28-year-old Moroccan striker has made 28 appearances across competitions for Fenerbahce, scoring 8 goals and providing an assist.
