Ipswich Town loanee Idris El Mizouni to increase flexibility of Cambridge United squad
Idris El Mizouni will bring extra flexibility to the Cambridge United squad, according to head coach Mark Bonner.
The 19-year-old midfielder has joined from Ipswich Town on a season-long loan, with a call-back option in January.
It is a second stint at the Abbey Stadium for El Mizouni, who had a temporary spell cut short because of injury last season.
With Liam O’Neil ruled out for a couple of months, it made midfield reinforcements a necessity, but through a good relationship with the Tractor Boys - led by Ben Strang - there was always a possibility of El Mizouni returning.
“He was going to be with them in pre-season, and the early part of the season just to see how he came back - the injury at the back end of last season meant he needed to be in their building,” said Bonner.
“It looked like his game time was going to be limited a little bit with the number of midfield players they’ve got there, so for his development it is the right thing to come out and play some games.
“From our perspective, we knew the situation was possible that this could happen and we’ve been really pleased to be able to do it.
“We know, from the short period of time that Idris was with us last year, the creativity and quality he can bring.
“I also like his work ethic, that he is tenacious and can add a little bit of bite to us as well.
“It just gives us more competition, more cover and we need both of those things with the number of games we’ve got coming up.
“Hopefully he can add to the intent of the attacking options we’ve got, and come in and make the most of the opportunity which is a massive one for him as well.”
United have had continuity to how the team is set up this season, so it is interesting to consider how El Mizouni fits into those plans.
Bonner believes that he offers a similar profile to a number of those in the U’s squad, which will boost selection options.
“I think he fits into a similar box to a few of ours in the fact that players like Wes (Hoolahan), Luke (Hannant) and Adam (May), to an extent, can play in different areas - wide, centrally in a pair, centrally in a three, and as a withdrawn striker,” said Bonner.
“It gives us flexibility picking the team and almost extra cover, knowing if we’re dropping players out or players are missing for whatever reason we’ve got options of players that fill in.
“It will also give us an opportunity to change shape and play with three midfield players or play with an extra attacking midfield player behind a striker if we need to.
“We know over the course of the season we’re going to need that flexibility either in games to make the changes or from game to game.”
El Mizouni familiarity with many members of the United squad will no doubt help him settle quicker, and he is in contention for a place in the squad to face Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League Two tomorrow (September 26), and so is defender Harry Darling, who is fit to return to the fold.
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