Anass Zaroury: Meet Lens' new playmaker

It's not every day that a player hits the ground running the way Anass Zaroury did for Racing Club de Lens on Sunday. Making his debut for Will Still's team in a playmaking role, he set up Jhoanner Chávez for the hosts' opening goal in a 2-0 win, and also earned a place in l'Équipe's team of the round, despite only having signed from English club Burnley on Thursday. With Lens set to be back in action in UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying on Thursday, we take a closer look Zaroury, a Belgium-born Morocco international who looks set to shine for his new side.

A precocious start

Born in the Belgian city of Mechelen to Moroccan parents, Zaroury cmae through the academy at Zulte Waregem before joining second-division side Lommel SK. After two seasons at the Limburg-based club, he joined top-flight side Charleroi in 2021, working under a certain Edward Still and helping them to a top-six finish with as he became a regular at youth level for his country. As is so often the case, following on from his strong play, a move across the channel beckoned, and he joined Burnley following their relegation in 2022.

أول ماتش أول أسيست 🤩🇲🇦

بداية رائعة للأسد أنس الزروري رفقة نادي لانس ⚽️✨#الدوري_الفرنسي pic.twitter.com/cI8X804DVh

— الدوري الفرنسي (@Ligue1_Arab) August 26, 2024

IN GOOD KOMPANY

Under the management of Vincent Kompany, he became a linchpin in a versatile and fast-moving attack, netting 11 goals in all competitions as the Clarets won promotion at the first time of asking. He even won his first senior international caps, although not for the Red Devils. With Amine Harit having suffered a serious injury ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Zaroury was included in Morocco's squad, choosing to represent the country of his parents. 

While he played sparingly in the competition, featuring only in the team's third-place loss to Croatia, he nonetheless sealed his reputation as a player to watch. Speaking to local outlet Lancslive at the time, he reflected "It was a dream that came true. Since I have been playing football and since I was young I always wanted to play in the biggest competitions and it was special to represent my country of Morocco. I was like a little kid in front of these guys and enjoyed every day I was there."

The following season saw him struggle to make a mark in the Premier League, ignominiously being sent off in the team's first match, and a mid-season loan to Hull City followed. Back in the second tier, he looked comfortable in the expansive play of Liam Rosenior, as the Tigers narrowly failed to make the playoffs. That display caught the attention of Lens, who have been busy restructuring their squad in the mercato, with Zaroury joining the likes of Martín Satriano and M'Bala Nzola as the team restructure their attack.

Thrust into the starting eleven in what looked a challenging match against Brest, who finished third last year, Zaroury looked plenty comfortable, with his assist being one of three key passes in the match. Speaking after the match, he averred that this was only the beginning and that the club's famously passionate fans helped to make the difference. "Lens' project really spoke to me a lot. I really wanted to play in France. When a historic club such as RC Lens asks for you, you have only one desire: come and fight for the shield and the supporters."

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