On the pitch, there are two ways to distinguish Ilyes Housni from the rest. First option: thanks to its reduced format (1.72 m) brightened up by “his mop of hair, which we risk seeing for quite a long time because he seems to like it for the moment”, engages his uncle Saïd. Second option: thanks to his “technical, lively profile, his qualities between the lines, finisher, and composure in the area”, as Mathieu Bodmer, sports director of Le Havre, leader of Ligue 2, put it.
It is rather on the second option that the leaders of PSG relied to offer a first professional contract until 2026 to Ilyes Housni, whom the 17-year-old striker, soon to be 18 (May 14), signed. THE podcast de RMC Sport “Scouting”devoted to the hopes of French football, looked into his case.
After having wandered around in many Ile-de-France clubs (Bonneuil, Créteil, Joinville, Paris FC, Aubervilliers), Ilyes Housni finally landed, at the age of 12, in the pre-training of Paris Saint-Germain, after detections seductive. “He was comfortable from his first touch of the ball, had a fluid and fast relationship with the ball, qualities of finisher, movement and calls, managed to be forgotten, triggered in the right timing”, enumerates Thomas Leyssales, who easily remembers his first meeting with this pure number 9 that Bodmer considers “different, because attracted to the goal knowing how to resist well in duels despite his size”.
“He is ready for Ligue 2 without forcing, can claim a loan in Ligue 1 and apply to enter the rotation at PSG”, adds the sporting director of the Norman club. However, despite his technical faculties and his exceptional qualities for his category, Housni has only rarely been outclassed, details his trainer. “He arrived at the academy with great self-confidence, then in U16, he was upgraded by playing with the national U17s. But that’s it. He was not upgraded more than that”, specifies Thomas Leyssales.
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However, even if his undeniable qualities allowed him to fly through the Youth League group stage by scoring eight goals (before missing his shot on goal against Dortmund in the round of 16 and precipitating the elimination of PSG), Ilyes Housni must in particular develop their mental skills, according to those around them.
“He must better manage his frustration, know how to remain patient, because he is a dynamic player who can have swings in concentration”, warns Thomas Leyssales. Observation shared by Mathieu Bodmer: “He could work on his concentration on so-called easier matches,” said the former PSG player, who also points to his ability with his bad foot as the main area for improvement.
Parisian supporters have recently had their gem taste the professional team, and like the average footy fan, they are closely scrutinizing the performances of their academy phenoms in hopes of seeing them shine on the top tier. “We know that our supporters are fond of our Titis. We are a big club and it is difficult to play at this level at a young age. By dint of perseverance, I hope they will get there”, comments Thomas Leyssales .
For the time being, Ilyes Housni has appeared twice with the PSG professional team: in Châteauroux in the 32nd round of the Coupe de France (3-1) on January 6, then in Monaco (1-3) a month later. , on February 11, in Ligue 1.
For the Franco-Moroccan, the time for the choice of selection will come, but there is no question of encumbering our minds with it for the moment. “It’s too early to talk about the choice of the national team, assures his Saïd Housni, the uncle. In the immediate future, his objective is to concentrate on PSG and to have as much playing time as possible” , he tempers. Especially since, still according to the uncle, Ilyes “has been focused on his commitment with PSG since training, with the desire to end his career there”. Housni, let’s go.