The national coach, Mohamed Wahbi, today strongly defended the decision to call up Noussair Mazraoui to the Moroccan national team roster, in response to criticisms about his selections due to the limited playtime of some players with their clubs. Wahbi emphasized in a press conference that merely looking for playing minutes online is not the sole criterion for selecting national team members, stressing that his position as coach goes beyond such simple calculations.
Wahbi explained that the process of selecting players for the national team requires considering multiple aspects beyond numbers and statistics. Besides the minutes players spend with their clubs, the coach focuses on achieving tactical harmony among team members and selecting players who fit the playing style adopted by the national team. He pointed out that they have a clear methodology and a specific style of play they seek to implement, regardless of the opponent they face.
In response to the ongoing debate about Mazraoui’s call-up, the national coach confirmed that those who criticize the player for his limited appearances with his club should watch his performance with the Moroccan national team to judge his true level. Wahbi rejected the idea that a decrease in club playing time necessarily means a decline in the player’s performance with the national team, asserting that it is not purely a matter of sports statistics but rather the player’s ability to add value to the team.
Wahbi concluded his remarks by affirming that Noussair Mazraoui has delivered outstanding performances with the Moroccan national team in various competitions and has always proven to be trustworthy. He indicated that stopping calling up a player simply because of a slight decline in his club performance is illogical, as the technical staff is well aware of what each player can contribute to achieving the national team’s goals.
