Benjamin Bouchouari establishes himself every week as a major player for ASSE, to the point that he now appears to be an essential element in the Saint-Etienne midfield. A great development for the Moroccan midfielder, whose contract expires in June 2026. Focus on his situation.
His arrival at ASSE had aroused curiosity in Forez. It was on the advice of Gérard Batlles, recruiter and father of Laurent, then coach of ASSE, that Benjamin Bouchouari joined the club from Breda (Netherlands) on August 16, 2022. At only 20 years old, the midfielder Moroccan quickly displays his qualities with the ball. If his first appearance against Le Havre (0-6 defeat) did not allow him to shine, he made up for it perfectly the following week, putting in a convincing performance in Valenciennes, which gave rise to great expectations about him .
Learning then transition…
Highly appreciated by Laurent Batlles, Benjamin Bouchouari participated in 34 matches during his first season at ASSE. However, his lack of defensive involvement and his difficulties in lasting 90 minutes on a regular basis are often singled out. Despite this, he shows some potential, but he still lacks consistency.
During his second season in Forez, Bouchouari again played 34 matches, but only started 22 times. Olivier Dall'Oglio prefers to use other profiles deemed more suited to his defensive needs. A choice which reflects the progress that the young Moroccan still needs to make to become an indisputable starter. During this period, Bouchouari continued to question himself, and although he considered leaving on several occasions, he remained loyal to ASSE.
Maturation in the spotlight of Ligue 1
Last June, ASSE returned to Ligue 1. At 22, Bouchouari could finally discover the elite of French football. This season he shows that he has clearly matured. More diligent, he participates more in defensive tasks and has simplified his game to become more efficient. His regularity on the pitch, alongside Louis Mouton in the midfield, confirms his rise in power. The change of coach does not seem to affect his role. This is evidenced by his sparkling performance against Stade de Reims, where he was one of the best players in ASSE.
To reach the summit, Bouchouari will have to progress further, in particular by becoming more present in the last 30 meters. If he scored a goal against Montpellier, he has only scored 2 goals in 80 games in the Saint-Etienne jersey. If he reaches this milestone, he will become a complete midfielder, feared and envied by clubs.
Requests this summer
Last August, several Italian clubs were interested in Bouchouari. However, a clause in his contract, which automatically extended his commitment in the event of promotion to Ligue 1, set back the suitors. At the end of his contract in June 2026, Benjamin Bouchouari is now a reliable link in ASSE. The leaders know that it is crucial to extend his contract in the coming months. Failing this, a departure this summer could be necessary, and he would then begin his last season under contract with the club.
The priorities of ASSE leaders
The Saint-Etienne leaders know that Benjamin Bouchouari is a centerpiece of their project. Particularly appreciated internally, ASSE intends to rely on it in the medium term. It remains to be seen whether the club will succeed in convincing him to extend his contract and continue the adventure in Forez. The management of this file promises to be one of the priorities for the coming months. The player is now in the spotlight. If he is well known to recruiters, several clubs have noticed him in recent weeks. The player feels good in Saint-Etienne for the moment. To be continued!
