Why Rayan Aït-Nouri Provides A Glimmer Of Hope To Wolves Fans – Premier League 2024/25

Wolves are rock bottom of the Premier League with just one point to their name at the time of writing and are one of four teams yet to win in the league this season. 

Their only point came against Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw in game three.

One of the bright spots this season for Wolves has been the performances of defender Rayan Aït-Nouri. 

Currently in his fifth full season at Wolves, having joined them as a 19-year-old in 2020, Aït-Nouri’s rise to become one of key players at Wolves has gone under the radar. 

A versatile defender who plays on the left side of the pitch, Aït-Nouri is among the four players this season who have started all league games for Wolves this season.

The visualisation below highlights Rayan Aït-Nouri’s key numbers from this season compared with the other left-backs from Tier-1 leagues.

Rayan Aït-Nouri Radar Map At Wolverhampton Wanderers

Rayan Aït-Nouri style of play is known for his attacking prowess as a wing-back or full-back. 

He quite often finds himself in advanced positions from which he can score or create good chances for his teammates. 

So far this season, he has two goals and two assists, making him the defender with the most goal contributions in the league. 

This also explains why he ranks so high for touches in the opposition’s penalty area.

When you look at his heatmap, you will see that Rayan Aït-Nouri marauds the left side of the pitch and loves dribbling, ranking in the 66th percentile for dribbles per 90 minutes.

Defensively, his numbers are average but that is also because of his role in his current team.

Rayan Aït-Nouri was carded quite often last season, and that trend seems to be continuing this season as well. 

The left-back has already been carded three times this season.

Rayan Aït-Nouri attempts 0.72 key passes per 90, but his role on the ball has quite often been to quickly recycle and drive forward.

Rayan Aït-Nouri has been Wolves’ only positive so far this season. 

If he stays injury-free as he has for the past couple of seasons, Wolves will rely on him to move higher in the table.