In today’s edition of ‘Birthday Boys’ we explore the careers of two young prospects: SCO Angers left-back Rayan Aït Nouri and OGC Nice winger Alexis Claude-Maurice.

Rayan Aït Nouri

Credit: L’Equipe

The young French left-back turns 19 today and has been scouted by many top teams after his great start to his Angers career but how has he got on so far in his career.

He would make his rise through the youth ranks at Angers and in the summer of 2018 he signed his professional contract for the Ligue 1 side.

He would only makes three appearances in the 2018-19 season as the French side eased the youngster into the side giving him 53 minutes worth of Ligue 1 football.

This season he has made 17 appearances and has managed to assist on three occasions with Angers averaging 1.53 points per game with the left-back in their side.

He is currently a French U21 international as he progressed into the Under-21 level from the Under-19’s.

He has made three appearances at that level with his debut coming in September 2019 against Albania as he got 25 minutes on the pitch in a 4-0 win for Les Bleus’ youth side.

Alexis Claude-Maurice

Credit: Sky Sports

The French winger turns 22 today and has had bright spells in his career so far, but how has he gone onto to be an Arsenal transfer target?

The winger would start his career at FC Lorient as he progressed to the B team from the Under-19’s side in December 2015.

He made no appearances in the 2016-17 campaign for the Ligue 1 side which saw them relegated into Ligue 2.

The 2017-18 season saw the winger eased into his role and has played literally everywhere in midfield from left-wing to centre midfield. He managed to score four goals in 23 appearances.

An outstanding campaign followed after his first full season involving game time. 36 appearances in all competitions for the winger saw him score 14 goals and assert his dominance in the second tier of French football.

In August 2019, Nice signed the talented winger for £12 million as he has not managed to do so well as anticipated. 24 appearances for the player has only seen him score one goals and assist two goals.

He’s featured for France at Under-18’s, Under-19’s and Under-20’s level. Currently the winger has made two appearances for the U20’s side with his debut coming all the way back in November 2017 and may be an indication that he progresses higher or that his international career may be finished.