Canadian Premier League Scouting Database – Ayman Sellouf

To start the 2023 season, Pacific and Forge have been going toe-to-toe at the top of the table. James Merriman’s team could have just as easily crumbled without Marco Bustos and Alejandro Diaz this campaign, in addition to the likes of Jamar Dixon and Callum Irving. But instead of floundering, Pacific have only gained strength with new players rising to the occasion.

One of the most impressive players this season has been Dutchman Ayman Sellouf, entering the B.C. scene from Jong FC Utrecht, as the dynamic dribbling equivalent to Marco Bustos. Sellouf has completely lived up to his promise so far in 2023, arguably acting as the best player in the league to start the campaign. In fact, as far as our own RCES system for evaluating players, no one ranks higher than the 21-year-old.

With that, we analyze Ayman Sellouf’s potential for greatness this season and beyond, making the case for why this could be a short-lived stint inside Canada’s top flight.

attacking PRINCIPLES

Within the ‘Dynamic Dribbler’ mold, Ayman Sellouf dances his way across the grass through skillful trickery, rather than out-and-out pace. He clearly possesses the ability to rapidly react to situations as they unfold. But he’s not the fastest player you’ll ever see, nor does he attempt to use pace to beat opponents. In a race between his brain and his legs, I guarantee his brain would win.

In fact, part of moving smarter not harder is in making more progressive runs than any other player in the Canadian Premier League so far (5.0 per 90).

Instead of his pace reverberating off the grass, Sellouf prepares to slowly progress toward a defender, enticing them to make the first move. You might see moments of speed pop more on the break, where Sellouf’s skill shines in finding moments to quickly progress the play up the pitch.

But again, the emphasis is always on close control trickery as opposed to blistering acceleration. Within that approach, he loves his right-foot most of all, and will often shift the ball inside from the left wing to take full advantage. At times, this can be easy to read, and telegraphed.

But Sellouf is also quite clever about pulling the ball onto his left foot depending on his perceptions of space and opposition, therefore injecting some unpredictability to his play.

Continuing on from that clever mind, Sellouf will often shift the ball in front of the defender’s path after beating one and having space ahead to carry, ensuring the defender has no option but to foul the wing wizard.

This is how the Dutchman wins a fair share of fouls (1.4 per 90), and how he tops the charts for most ‘successful attacking actions’ (6.72 per 90), and dribbles (10.2 per 90), according to Wyscout.

On the one hand, that’s a great statistic that illustrates just how potent he’s been for Pacific. On the other hand, it also demonstrates Sellouf’s desire to go all on his own. The 21-year-old wants the ball at his feet, and is most dangerous when having the ability to drive at the opposition.

But as soon as he becomes involved in 2v1’s, he’ll need to scan his surroundings and ensure he shifts the ball where appropriate. One of the traits that ‘Dynamic Dribblers’ often need to develop is the recognition of when to stop what makes them so fantastic, and play that killer pass instead.

This is where Sellouf can find himself in trouble, sometimes trying to take the world on after already beating two players; and other times taking a shot when better passing options remain available.

It’s nice that he backs himself to strike from distance and as the old adage goes, if you don’t shoot you don’t score! But increasing xG and xA for his entire team will be about using his brilliance to the select the right moments for the next action. Given his excellence in passing and progressing the ball, this is an area of Sellouf’s game that he can clearly bring out all the more.

Sellouf’s first touch is immaculate, he does not panic in tight spaces, and he has a nice finesse to the way he passes the ball about the pitch. Combine those blanketed statements with a 100% through-ball success rate so far, and you get a nice picture to his efficiency when timing forward passes (83%).

Once he came on against Vancouver this past weekend, he was absolutely unstoppable. Pacific scored four second-half goals, and he had a major hand in all four. One goal, one assist, one penalty won, and one key pass to the eventual assister of the final goal. All that in just thirty-one minutes.

But beyond his stellar goal contribution, Sellouf impressed through his decision making. He made smart adjustments based on the opposition, sometimes going to his right, and other times shifting the ball to his left. He smartly evaluated the movement of his teammates, drawing attention to himself and ensuring he’d make the right pass at the right moment.

This is what the 21-year-old will need to continue if he’s going to take his team to the next level. At this point, if you’re James Merriman, you simply cannot leave Ayman Sellouf out of the team, simply for what he adds to the attacking fluidity of the team alone.

DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLES

As a hard-working player with a great work ethic, Sellouf often makes himself useful in defensive phases. However, he’s not the most natural 1v1 defender, and often approaches from awkward angles when making challenges.

When he can simply hold his position and create a 2v1 or 2v2 down the line, he’s sometimes too quick to dive in, creating the easy opportunity for the opposition to dribble past him.

But more positively, the Dutchman reacts quickly to errors and mistakes, and often pounces when the moment strikes. He clearly has his eyes on the prize, wanting that ball back for his team at every opportunity. That could explain the lack of patience when throwing himself into tackles, and also his great anticipation that’s kept him above many of the players in his position when it comes to those defensive metrics.

Besides, Marco Bustos’ role at Pacific was never much to do with the defensive side of the game, and neither will Ayman Sellouf’s as his Pacific career progresses. If he can just enhance his angle of approach when pressing and timing his challenges, he’ll be an even greater asset for a club seeking his signature next.

For the time being, the 21-year-old wing wizard is helping lead Pacific’s charge toward the top of the table. Arguably no player has performed better in the opening set of matches, and he’s certainly lived up to the boots of the man he replaced.

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If you’re a pro club wishing to see the video clips that accompanied the making of this article, please reach out.

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