One to Watch: Youcef Belaïli | OneFootball

Youcef Belaili is a rare talent: an outrageously skilful player who can get fans up from their seats with an effortless piece of magic! The Algerian superstar sat down with the Ligue 1 Show for a chat...

The Algerian idol has been in France just over a year now, and his performances have considerably improved since his arrival in Ajaccio in October. "I feel good here in Ajaccio, the weather is great, the sunshine, the sea… there's everything I need!" said the 31-year-old forward. "I have been put in the best possible conditions to feel good in this team and bring what I can offer to the table!"

And what Belaili has been able to offer the Corsican club is six goals and three assists in 16 games - more than enough to merit the main creative role in Olivier Pantaloni's side. Belaili: 'Give my all!'

"Ever since I arrived here, the coach has left me free to roam and express myself," explained the silky-skilled Algerian. "He asks to be mobile across the front line. It pushes me to give my all, to bring pleasure to the supporters with whom I have a great relationship!" "We've known for some time how good a footballer Youcef is!" Said a proud Olivier Pantaloni. "He goes past his man with such ease, he can assist, he can score… we really needed someone like him!" Ajaccio secured the Algerian's services after his contract with Brest was terminated in September. Though his time in Brittany earned mixed reviews, he did give them this unforgettable moment!

Since moving to Corsica, Belaili is performing with the consistency he lacked while at Brest. "The club here in Ajaccio were keen to sign me before I went to Brest," he recalled. "Once I left Brest, both the president and the coach called me. I said yes, and things worked out well. Since then I've put a run of games together and scored a few goals!" The main man

He has proven precious for the Corsican club, and his coach is clearly relying on him as a prime mover in his squad. "It's a massive bonus for us to have a player of his quality with us," explained Pantaloni. "It's quite incredible for AC Ajaccio! I hope that he can continue to bring us joy and only get better with the more game time we give him." And the man in question seems happy with the role he has been given, and is looking forward to helping his side beat the drop in the his cut-throat season that will see four sides go down. "I could have come to Ligue 1 long before! I've been here a year now and my stats are good," Belaili smiled. "I've been able to show what I'm capable of. I hope to be able to do even more in the coming weeks and months!"

The challenge With nine games to go, Belaili and Ajaccio are four points from safety. The Algerian No.10 will be key to his team's chances of spending a second consecutive season in Ligue 1 Uber Eats for the first time in a decade - and he will be looking to weave his magic for Ajaccio in Clermont on Sunday.