Ismael Saibari is a 22-year-old attacking midfielder who currently is a rotational player for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie. The Spain-born midfielder is a Moroccan international. Saibari started his professional footballing career in Belgium at Anderlecht before joining KRC Genk in 2018. PSV Eindhoven picked him up in the summer of 2020 where he originally played for Jong PSV in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. After 55 matches in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, Saibari is now a squad player for the first team in PSV.
The midfielder stands at 1.85m with a strong and quite robust build. He looks very fit and has good endurance. Saibari has a decent burst and displays decent speed over longer distances. Despite his robust frame, Saibari is capable of turning away from his opponents pretty sharply and quickly. The Moroccan international displays excellent physical strength. His timing in aerial duels is also pretty decent. Saibari displays decent changes of directions in 1v1s and draws fouls well.
His tactical intelligence is what stands out in his game. The midfielder is excellent at finding space between the opponent’s left central defender and left-back, not only moving into space but also creating space for right-winger Bakayoko to cut inside to his stronger left foot. Saibari prefers to operate in that right half-space, always helping out Bakayoko and offering support to play one-two’s. He also often dives into the gap on the right-wing after the opponent’s left-back gets dragged out of position by Bakayoko. Saibari’s understanding of space is top tier. He also uses this intelligence to effectively make runs in behind and into the box. However, there is a lot of room for improvement in his finishing. His ball-striking is pretty decent but his shots often lack accuracy. There is sufficient reason to believe that he will become a lot better, as he strikes the ball well and is composed in front of goal.
Ismael Saibari has very good technique, too. The midfielder has very good close control in small spaces and feints in attacking 1v1s. Saibari always knows where his teammates and opponents are, allowing him to take a progressive touch when possible. Even though his first touch isn’t always perfect, Saibari’s tendency to drive forward when the space is there is exciting. His ball-carrying is very good. Saibari is physically strong on the ball, has a decent burst and displays good ball control. The Moroccan midfielder uses every chance to carry the ball forward and makes excellent use of space.
Once he inevitably starts adding more goals to his game, Ismael Saibari’s price tag will rise astronomically. However, clubs battling for Europa League football and maybe even Champions League football should be looking to sign Ismael Saibari this winter before his price tag rises to €50m or higher. The midfielder’s combination between tactical intelligence, ball-carrying ability and potential goal-scoring ability should be enough for those clubs to go for Saibari. Ismael Saibari is made for the Premier League.
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