Gouiri made a significant impact in his recent match, scoring two remarkable goals and contributing to three others as Marseille triumphed over Saint-Etienne with a 5-1 victory in Ligue 1 last Saturday. Since his transfer from Rennes for 22 million euros ($23 million) during the January transfer window, he has also recorded three assists in his first three appearances.
“He is not fully aware of his own strengths and the qualities he possesses. I aim to help him build that self-belief,” De Zerbi stated on Friday, ahead of Marseille's upcoming Ligue 1 match against Auxerre. “He reminds me of exceptional No. 9s, like Gonzalo Higuain, particularly in his movement and ability to facilitate team play. Amine has all the attributes to become one of the best center forwards in Europe; he just needs to have faith in himself.”
At 24 years old, Gouiri, who now represents Algeria, was once regarded as one of the most promising talents in French football, having been the top scorer for France at the European Under-17 Championship in 2017. However, a serious knee injury while playing for Lyon the following year set back his career.
After his time at Lyon, he transferred to Nice and then to Rennes in the summer of 2022 for 28 million euros ($29.3 million), where he achieved a personal best of 15 league goals in a single season.
Gouiri is adept at playing as a central striker but is also capable of making runs from the left flank or deeper positions, which can make him challenging for defenders to track. His smooth playing style allows for effective combinations during fast-paced attacks.
However, this versatility may also pose a challenge.
De Zerbi believes that Gouiri's diverse skill set and natural adaptability could be hindering his development, suggesting that he needs to refine his approach to become a more focused finisher.
“He possesses the qualities of a No. 10 (playmaker),” De Zerbi remarked. “Yet, in front of goal, he must exhibit the efficiency of a No. 9 and consistently position himself well in relation to the goal.”
Currently, Marseille sits in second place in Ligue 1, trailing the unbeaten Paris Saint-Germain by 10 points.