Overview
Anwar El Ghazi is a Dutch professional footballer, born on 3 May 1995, in Barendrecht, Netherlands. Standing at 1.88 meters (6 ft 2 in), he is primarily deployed as a forward, capable of playing across the front line but most frequently featuring as a winger. His career has seen him represent clubs in the Netherlands, France, England, and Germany, making a name for himself with his direct approach to attacking play and an eye for goal. El Ghazi's journey through European football has highlighted his adaptability and offensive attributes.
Position
El Ghazi typically operates as a wide forward, most often on the right wing, which allows him to cut inside onto his stronger left foot. He possesses the versatility to play on the left wing or as a central attacking midfielder, providing tactical flexibility for his teams. His role often involves stretching opposition defenses and creating goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates through dribbling and crossing.
Identity
Anwar El Ghazi’s footballing identity is characterized by his athleticism, direct running, and a powerful left-foot shot. He is often identified as a penetrative winger who seeks to engage defenders one-on-one and deliver crosses or attempt shots on goal. His physical presence and speed allow him to be a threat in transitions and contribute to both buildup and finishing phases of attack.
Career path
Anwar El Ghazi's footballing journey began in the youth academies of several prominent Dutch clubs before making his senior breakthrough. He spent time in the youth setups of Feyenoord, Sparta Rotterdam, and PSV Eindhoven before joining the Ajax youth academy in 2013.
Ajax (2014–2017)
El Ghazi made his senior debut for Ajax in July 2014 during a Supercup match against PEC Zwolle. He quickly established himself in the first team, becoming a regular starter in the Eredivisie and the UEFA Champions League. During his tenure at Ajax, he made 101 appearances across all competitions, scoring 23 goals and providing 16 assists. His performances in the Dutch top flight attracted attention from clubs across Europe, culminating in a move to France in 2017 [Transfermarkt].
Lille OSC (2017–2018)
In January 2017, El Ghazi transferred to French Ligue 1 side Lille OSC for a reported fee [Transfermarkt]. He spent a season and a half with Lille, featuring in 39 matches, scoring 6 goals, and assisting 4 times. While his time in France was marked by flashes of brilliance, he sought a new challenge, leading to a loan move to the English Championship.
Aston Villa (2018–2022)
El Ghazi joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan in August 2018. He played a pivotal role in Villa's promotion to the Premier League, scoring in the 2019 Championship play-off final against Derby County [Wikipedia]. His loan move was made permanent in June 2019. Over his time at Villa Park, El Ghazi made 119 appearances, scoring 26 goals and providing 16 assists. He became known for his crucial goals and penalty-taking ability.
Everton loan & PSV Eindhoven (2022–2023)
In January 2022, El Ghazi moved to Everton on loan for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. He made only 2 appearances during this period. Following his departure from Aston Villa, he returned to the Netherlands, signing for PSV Eindhoven in August 2022. He made 34 appearances for PSV, scoring 9 goals and providing 2 assists, contributing to their KNVB Cup victory in 2023 [Transfermarkt].
Mainz 05 (2023)
In September 2023, El Ghazi joined German Bundesliga side Mainz 05. His tenure was brief, making 3 appearances before his contract was terminated in November 2023.
Playing style
Anwar El Ghazi's playing style is defined by his attributes as a modern wide forward. He combines physical presence with technical skill, making him a dual threat on the flanks. His primary position on the right wing allows him to employ his preferred tactic of cutting inside to shoot with his left foot, often from the edge of the penalty area.
Dribbling and Pace: El Ghazi possesses good dribbling ability, often attempting to beat his direct opponent in one-on-one situations. His pace, especially in open spaces, allows him to carry the ball forward rapidly and outrun defenders, creating transitions and offensive momentum for his team. This is often reflected in his progressive carries statistics [FBref.com].
Shooting and Goal Threat: A significant aspect of El Ghazi's game is his goal-scoring instinct. He is known for his powerful and accurate left-footed shots, both from open play and set-piece situations. His ability to find the back of the net from outside the box, or by arriving late into the penalty area, has been a consistent feature throughout his career. His expected goals (xG) metrics often highlight his consistent threat in front of goal [Sofascore].
Crossing and Link-up Play: While primarily a goal threat, El Ghazi also contributes to chance creation. When playing on the right, he is capable of delivering dangerous inswinging crosses into the box. On the left, he can provide direct crosses from the byline. He also participates in link-up play, combining with full-backs and central midfielders, though his strength lies more in direct offensive actions rather than intricate passing patterns.
Defensive Work Rate: Opinions on El Ghazi's defensive contribution have varied. While he shows willingness to track back and support his full-back, his primary focus remains on attacking duties. His physical attributes allow him to press opponents, but his overall defensive output is generally lower compared to more defensively-minded wingers. He is comparable in style to players who prioritize direct attacking contribution, such as a younger Memphis Depay or a more direct Arjen Robben in terms of cutting inside and shooting.
Achievements & honours
Anwar El Ghazi has collected several team honours throughout his career, predominantly during his spells in the Netherlands and England. While individual awards have been less frequent, his contributions to winning teams underscore his impact.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| PSV Eindhoven | KNVB Cup | 2022–23 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Johan Cruyff Shield | 2023 |
| Aston Villa | EFL Championship Play-offs | 2019 |
Individual Milestones
El Ghazi's career has featured several notable individual moments, including scoring crucial goals in significant matches, such as his goal in the 2019 Championship play-off final that helped secure Aston Villa's return to the Premier League [Wikipedia]. His consistent goal-scoring output from wide positions has often made him one of the top attacking contributors for his respective teams during his peak years.
International career
Anwar El Ghazi has represented the Netherlands at various youth levels before making his senior international debut. His progression through the national team setup began with appearances for the Netherlands U17, U18, U19, and U21 squads, where he gained valuable experience and showcased his potential on the international stage.
Senior Debut and Caps
El Ghazi earned his first call-up to the senior Netherlands national football team in October 2015. He made his senior debut for the Oranje on 10 October 2015, coming on as a substitute in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Kazakhstan [Wikipedia]. He subsequently earned a second cap just three days later, starting in another qualifier against the Czech Republic. Both matches were part of a challenging qualification campaign for the Netherlands.
Role for the National Team
Despite his club success, El Ghazi's international career at the senior level has been limited to these two appearances. Competition for places in the Netherlands' attacking line-up has always been high, with numerous talented wingers and forwards vying for selection. While he demonstrated his capabilities in club football, he was unable to secure a regular spot in the national squad under various managers. He has not featured for the national team since 2015, but his early caps remain a highlight of his career, representing his country at the highest level.
What makes Anwar El Ghazi stand out
Anwar El Ghazi stands out primarily due to his potent left foot and his direct, often decisive, offensive contributions. His ability to score from distance or convert penalties with composure has made him a reliable threat in front of goal. Furthermore, his knack for delivering in high-stakes moments, exemplified by his goal in the Championship play-off final, highlights a player who can perform under pressure.
Another distinguishing trait is his physical presence for a winger. At 1.88m, he possesses an aerial advantage and strength that many players in his position lack, allowing him to hold up play or compete for headers when necessary, adding another dimension to his attacking profile.
"Anwar has the qualities to hurt any opponent. He has pace, power, and a good eye for goal."