Abde Ezzalzouli was one of the Barcelona loanees who impressed the most last year with his loan stint at Osasuna. The winger was able to become an important player for Jagoba Arrasate, as he raked up 28 appearances for Osasuna, scoring four goals and two assists.
With such performances, he was a strong contender to be a part of Xavi’s attacking line. However, as it became increasingly clear last summer that he would not be a part of the club’s starting eleven on a regular basis, he insisted on leaving and joined Real Betis in exchange for €7.5 million, with Barcelona retaining 50% of his rights.
Last summer, Xavi was of the opinion that Abde would not be able to get significant game time with Real Betis, and as Diario AS has noted, his prophecy is seemingly coming true now. He was unable to make an appearance in his side’s match against Athletic Club and came on only in injury time in the match against Atletico Madrid last Sunday.
Since coming back from his African Cup campaign at the end of January, the winger started two of the next three games and also was in the starting eleven in a European match against Dinamo Zagreb. However, he could not register any goal or assist in these appearances and went back to the bench with an even greater lack of prominence.
Of the twenty-seven league games that his side has played up to now, he has started only five and came on as a substitute in another thirteen. He has accumulated only 669 minutes in the league over these 18 games, scoring only one goal on the matchday 8 against Valencia. He has another three goals in Copa del Rey and one goal in Europa League, but no assists to his name.
Barcelona had kept the 50% rights on him with the hope that the winger would be able to continue increasing his value as he did with Osasuna. However, with the arrival of Chimy Avila and the recovery of Ayoze Perez for Betis, it looks highly unlikely that Abde will be able to recover his form in the last 11 league games.
