Eliesse Ben Seghir: Between promise and reality
One To Watch
At 19, Eliesse Ben Seghir is one of AS Monaco's most promising players. Full of ambition, the Moroccan international intends to have a breakout season.
Eliesse Ben Seghir is, at 19, a product of the AS Monaco academy and someone who has a lot of ambition this season. After last season was marred injury, the young Monegasque intends to make up for lost time. Also, sure of himself, he reveals without fear his personal objectives ahead of Saturday's trip to face Racing Club de Strasbourg.
"I always set the bar high, I want to try to score a double double (10 goals, 10 assists, editor's note). I know it's tough, that it hasn't often been done in Ligue 1 McDonald's. I will try to do my best", he indicates, blending confidence and humility.
Thrown into the deep end two years ago against Red Star Belgrade (4-1), at 17 years and 8 months, by Philippe Clement, Adi Hütter's predecessor, Ben Seghir had especially attracted attention from his first appearance in the top flight, by scoring a double in one half at Auxerre (2-3, on December 28, 2022). Shortly thereafter, the native of Gassin (Var), who arrived in the Principality at 15, was named best player of the Maurice-Revello Tournament in Toulon, playing alongside Leny Yoro, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Mathys Tel.
Moving through the gears
Today, and despite his physical problems, he has already played 50 matches with AS Monaco (including 42 in Ligue 1 McDonald's and 6 in Europe), where he extended his contract until 2027 last January while he was dealing with a shoulder injury.
Since March, he has even been a Moroccan international. After an Olympic interlude where he won bronze, coach Walid Regragui is starting to use him frequently. In six appearances, Ben Seghir has scored three goals (including a double in October) and provided one assist.
Definitively choosing the country for which he would play from now on "did him a lot of good", says a player who had played with the French under-20 team. "I have the confidence of the coach. It allowed me to free my mind. Because it is always tough to play with a difficult choice to make. It also made me mature, because I joined a World Cup semi-finalist squad."
Ben Seghir broadened his "range" in the national team, where "Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd welcomed him very well. I also have the confidence of the coach, the staff. I go for it without holding back"
"However, he remains a young player", who must "stay healthy" to achieve his goals, insists Hütter. "To feel better about myself, I try to improve in this area", says the youngster. "I took on a personal physiotherapist. And if I can stay for treatment with the team, I do it".
Better defense, more decisive
At the same time, Hütter imposed three areas of improvement on him: making better decisions with the ball at his feet, improving his defensive replacement work, and being more efficient.
Regarding the first, the Monaco coach explains: "his dribbling is incredible but against a midfield block, it's sometimes dangerous. Eliesse knows that. He has to learn when to dribble, when to do a one-two, when to serve a teammate in a better position".
The player, himself, is more concerned with his defensive obligations. "Even after a counterattack, you have to come back and help", he says. "This is the season where I've defend the most". However, that doesn't stop Hütter from pushing him. "He reminded me that great players were decisive, that you also had to help the team with statistics. I try to do my best".
For the moment, it's 2 goals and 2 assists. We're far from a 10-10. However, "Eliesse is young and talented. Young people dream, I let them dream. But, above all, there is work to be done," smiles Hütter, who concludes: "if he achieves his goals, we will be very happy. He is on the right track, in good shape, and helps the team defend well. He has already taken a very big step in this direction."
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