Wins Goal of the Season, not picked for the World Cup

Once Southampton's club-record signing, Boufal has had a difficult season down on the South Coast. Due to a number of lacklustre performances, he's struggled for a spot in the Saints starting XI. What's more, Boufal was banished to the club's U23s following a spat with no-nonsense manager Mark Hughes.

As a result of his sporadic form, the Moroccan was omitted from his national side's final 23-man squad for the World Cup. A hard blow to take for a player considered one of his nation's most technically gifted exports.

Boufal showed a flash of brilliance back in October, scoring a virtuoso goal against West Brom to gave Saints a crucial three points and win himself Goal of the Season. Picking the ball up deep in his own half, the winger burst up the pitch with breakneck pace. He left five players for dead before jinking the ball onto his right foot and whipping it inside the post.

Unfortunately for Boufal, his magnum opus is one of just two goals he netted this season. A disappointing return that ultimately wasn't enough to impress Morocco head coach Hervé Renard.

 

19 May 2018