Rayan Aït-Nouri’s situation at Manchester City continues to raise questions after another setback. The Algerian left-back missed Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool and did not even make the matchday squad.
Already struggling to secure regular playing time in England, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender now faces growing uncertainty over his place in Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Aït-Nouri had hoped to use the international break with Algeria to regain his confidence, but his time with the national team brought further frustration. The coaching staff left him out of the starting lineup against Zambia and opted for Jaouen Hadjam instead. Reports suggest that Aït-Nouri’s reaction during the match contributed to his early departure from the squad for disciplinary reasons, prompting the defender to return to Manchester before his teammates.
These successive setbacks have weakened Aït-Nouri’s position at both club and international level. With competition for places at Manchester City and no guaranteed starting role with Algeria, the 25-year-old must find a way to revive his season. If his situation does not improve in the coming weeks, a move during the January transfer window could become an option, allowing him to seek the regular playing time he needs.
