Walid Regragui says Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd ‘was not valued properly’ during Premier League spell

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui believes Nayef Aguerd has made the right move by joining Olympique de Marseille and claims the defender never received the recognition he deserved in England.

Speaking to L’Équipe, Regragui praised Aguerd’s early impact in Ligue 1 and described the transfer as an excellent decision for both club and player.

He emphasised that Marseille’s decision to hand the 28-year-old greater responsibility will allow him to thrive at the highest level.

“Aguerd needed responsibilities,” Regragui said. “At his age, he had to understand his importance to the team. I think Marseille made a very smart move.”

The coach explained that he has closely followed Aguerd’s development since the defender’s teenage years.

He expressed frustration at how Premier League clubs had perceived the Moroccan during his time with West Ham United.

“I might not be completely objective because I have known Aguerd since he was 16,” Regragui added. “But I think people did not value him at his true level.

He is a left-footed centre-back with excellent technique and strong pace. But in England, if you lose one or two seasons, people quickly label you as a player who failed to adapt.”

Aguerd joined Marseille in the summer after two mixed seasons in the Premier League, where injuries and inconsistent playing time limited his impact.

Despite flashes of quality, he struggled to cement a regular starting role at West Ham, leading to questions about his long-term future in English football.

Regragui believes a return to France was the ideal solution. Aguerd previously impressed in Ligue 1 with Stade Rennais, where his defensive intelligence, ball distribution and leadership caught the attention of top clubs across Europe.

The Moroccan coach also applauded Marseille’s sporting director Mehdi Benatia, himself a former defender, for recognising Aguerd’s qualities and facilitating the transfer.

He said Benatia’s understanding of the player’s strengths played a vital role in the move.

“Mehdi Benatia knew exactly what Aguerd could bring,” Regragui said. “He had already proven himself in Ligue 1 with Rennes.

Now, he has a club that trusts him and a system that suits his strengths.”

Aguerd’s arrival at Marseille has strengthened their defensive line and brought leadership to the squad.

His performances in the opening matches have drawn praise from fans and analysts, who see him as a key figure in the team’s ambitions this season.

For Regragui, the defender’s revival in France reflects a broader lesson about how players develop under the right conditions.

He believes that with proper trust and responsibility, Aguerd can establish himself among Europe’s top defenders and continue to play a vital role for the Moroccan national team.

The coach remains confident that Aguerd’s decision to leave England will prove decisive for his career. “Sometimes, a change of environment is exactly what a player needs,” he said. “Aguerd now has the platform to show his full potential.”