Yan Valery on Boufal: "If He Wants to Play, He Dribbles Everyone"

Tunisian defender Yan Valery, currently with Sheffield Wednesday and a former teammate of Sofiane Boufal at Southampton, expressed immense admiration for the Moroccan international's exceptional talent. Valery considers Boufal one of the most creative and impactful players he has ever encountered, emphasizing that what Boufal showcased in training often surpassed the skills and techniques he displayed in official matches.

The Tunisian player added that Boufal, who currently plays for Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, consistently delivered astonishing technical displays during training sessions, making everyone who witnessed them realize the extent of his unique talent. Valery noted that these moments remain etched in his memory to this day.

Recalling those days in a video clip published by the "CAPTÉ" channel on TikTok, Valery said: "I used to look at him in amazement and ask him: 'Sofiane… what are you doing here at Southampton?!'"

He continued: "If he wanted to play, he would take the ball and dribble past everyone in front of him. One after another. Some might think I'm exaggerating, but Boufal, with both feet and all his talent, was truly impressive."

Valery recounted an incident that remained vivid in his mind, stating: "One day, there was a minor disagreement between him and the coach. We entered a 5-on-5 training match, and with his very first touch, he took the ball, dribbled past an entire team, then rounded the goalkeeper, and comfortably slotted the ball into the net as if it were an exhibition match."

He explained that the other players stood stunned by what they had witnessed, while the coach surprised everyone during a meal by approaching Boufal with a smile and saying: "'Sofiane… next time, try to have a little mercy on my players!'"

Valery concluded by affirming that Boufal is a rare talent and one of the most skilled and creative players he has ever played alongside.