Overview
Achraf Lazaar is a Moroccan professional footballer who has primarily operated as a left-back throughout his career. Born in Casablanca, Morocco, on January 22, 1992, Lazaar has spent the majority of his professional playing years in European leagues, gaining experience in Italy and England. His journey has seen him play for clubs such as Palermo in Serie A and Newcastle United in the Premier League and Championship, before moving to other European leagues. Lazaar is known for his athleticism and ability to cover the left flank, contributing to both defensive solidity and attacking plays. His international career has seen him represent the Morocco national team on multiple occasions, participating in various qualification campaigns.
Position
Lazaar primarily plays as a left-back, a role that demands both defensive discipline and offensive impetus. In this position, he is tasked with neutralizing opposing wingers, tracking back to support central defenders, and providing width in attack. His natural left foot allows him to deliver crosses and contribute to build-up play from the wide areas. While predominantly a full-back, Lazaar has occasionally been deployed in a more advanced left-midfield role, capitalizing on his pace and crossing ability to influence the game higher up the pitch.
Identity
Achraf Lazaar's footballing identity is characterized by his energetic performances and commitment on the left side of the pitch. He is often recognized for his work rate, making overlapping runs and tracking back with equal intensity. His playing style combines defensive robustness with an eagerness to get forward, making him a dynamic presence. This blend of attributes has seen him valued as a player who can cover significant ground and maintain a high tempo throughout a match.
Career path
Achraf Lazaar's professional career began in Italy, where he developed through the youth ranks before making his senior debut. His journey has taken him through several clubs, each contributing to his experience in different European leagues.
Early Career & Varese
Lazaar began his youth career in Morocco before moving to Italy. He joined the youth system of Varese and made his senior debut for the club in Serie B. His performances for Varese attracted attention from higher-tier clubs, showcasing his potential as a modern full-back. He spent two seasons with Varese, making 43 appearances and scoring one goal from 2012 to 2014, according to Transfermarkt.
Palermo
In January 2014, Lazaar moved to Palermo, initially on loan. He quickly established himself in the squad, contributing to their promotion to Serie A. His loan move was made permanent in the summer of 2014. Lazaar became a regular starter for Palermo in Serie A, where his attacking runs and defensive contributions were a key feature of his game. He played 74 matches for Palermo, scoring 3 goals and assisting 8 times across all competitions during his tenure from 2014 to 2016, as per Transfermarkt.
Newcastle United
Lazaar's performances in Italy led to a move to English club Newcastle United in August 2016, then managed by Rafael Benítez. He joined the club during their Championship season, aiming to secure promotion back to the Premier League. While part of the squad that achieved promotion, Lazaar found playing time limited at Newcastle. He made 10 appearances for the club between 2016 and 2020, with various loan spells away from St James' Park to gain playing time, including to Benevento and Cosenza in Italy, and Sheffield Wednesday in England, according to Transfermarkt.
Later Career
After his departure from Newcastle, Lazaar continued his career in various leagues. He joined Watford in February 2021 for a short spell, then moved to Portimonense in Portugal in September 2021 before returning to Italy with Benevento in February 2022. These moves highlight his determination to find consistent playing time and contribute to different teams across Europe.
Playing style
Achraf Lazaar's playing style is defined by his athleticism, offensive drive, and commitment to covering the left flank. As a left-back, he combines defensive responsibilities with an eagerness to join the attack, making him a dynamic presence on the pitch.
Defensive Attributes
Defensively, Lazaar possesses good recovery pace, allowing him to track back and challenge opposing wingers. He is adept at making timely interceptions and tackles, often using his physicality to dispossess opponents. While not the tallest, his positioning and anticipation help him in defensive duels. His work rate ensures he contributes to pressing schemes and maintains defensive shape, particularly when his team is out of possession. According to FBref, his defensive actions per 90 minutes typically include a solid number of tackles and interceptions, reflecting his active involvement in breaking up opposition attacks.
Offensive Contributions
Lazaar's attacking play is a notable aspect of his game. He is known for his overlapping runs down the left wing, providing width and creating crossing opportunities. His left foot allows him to deliver various types of crosses into the box, from whipped balls to lofted deliveries, aiming to find teammates in dangerous areas. He also possesses decent dribbling ability, enabling him to beat defenders in one-on-one situations and drive forward with the ball. His willingness to push high up the pitch adds an extra dimension to his team's attack, often creating numerical advantages in wide areas. This offensive drive is comparable to other modern full-backs who are expected to be significant contributors in the final third.
Technical & Physical Traits
Technically, Lazaar is comfortable on the ball, demonstrating good passing range and control. His first touch allows him to receive passes under pressure and transition quickly into attack. Physically, he is a player with good stamina, capable of maintaining a high level of performance throughout the match, which is crucial for a full-back who needs to cover significant ground. His endurance allows him to make continuous runs and track back effectively, maintaining the balance between attack and defense.
Achievements & honours
Achraf Lazaar's career has included team successes, particularly during his time in Italy and England, contributing to league titles and promotions.
Club Honours
Lazaar was part of the Palermo squad that achieved promotion to Serie A by winning the Serie B title. This was a significant achievement early in his career, establishing him as a player capable of contributing to a successful team. Later, he was also a member of the Newcastle United team that won the Championship, securing promotion back to the Premier League.
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Palermo | Serie B | 2013–14 |
| Newcastle United | EFL Championship | 2016–17 |
These team achievements highlight his role in successful campaigns, even if his individual playing time varied at certain clubs. His contributions to these title-winning sides underscore his value as a squad member and a professional footballer in competitive leagues.
International career
Achraf Lazaar has represented the Morocco national team at the senior level, earning a number of caps throughout his career. His international debut came in 2014, and he has since been a part of various squads for qualification campaigns and friendly matches.
Senior National Team
Lazaar made his senior international debut for Morocco on May 23, 2014, in a friendly match against Mozambique. He has since accumulated 17 caps for his country, according to Wikipedia. He has been involved in qualification cycles for major tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup, playing a role in the national team's efforts to reach these competitions. While he has not always been a consistent starter, his inclusion in the squad reflects his standing as a dependable option for the left-back position.
Role for Country
For the Moroccan national team, Lazaar has primarily served as a left-back, offering a blend of defensive stability and attacking threat from the wide areas. His pace and ability to deliver crosses have been assets in Morocco's offensive play, while his defensive work rate has helped maintain solidity at the back. He has competed for the left-back spot with other talented Moroccan defenders, contributing to the squad's depth and tactical flexibility. His international career demonstrates his commitment to representing his homeland on the global stage, participating in various competitive and friendly fixtures for the Atlas Lions.
What makes Achraf Lazaar stand out
Achraf Lazaar stands out primarily due to his relentless work rate and his dual ability to impact both defensive and offensive phases of the game from the left-back position. His energetic runs down the flank are a consistent feature, providing width in attack and quickly transitioning back to defend. This commitment to covering significant ground makes him a valuable asset for teams looking for dynamic full-backs.
Another distinguishing trait is his crossing ability with his left foot. Lazaar possesses the technical skill to deliver dangerous balls into the box, creating goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. This offensive output, combined with his defensive tenacity, makes him a well-rounded full-back. His experience across different European leagues, including Serie A and the Championship, has also honed his tactical understanding and adaptability.
"Achraf brings energy and quality on the left side, always looking to contribute both going forward and defending."