Ethan Nwaneri wasted no time announcing himself in France, delivering an instant impact on his Olympique Marseille debut with a goal in a 3-1 win over Lens yesterday. The 18-year-old Arsenal loanee joined the club only a day earlier but was trusted immediately by Roberto De Zerbi, a bold call that paid off in style.
His performance followed days of anticipation after Marseille confirmed the loan deal, a move detailed by SoftFootball as a major step in the teenager’s development under a demanding coach.
Marseille’s decision to throw Nwaneri straight into the starting lineup reflected De Zerbi’s well-known philosophy of prioritising form and talent over reputation or age. Speaking ahead of the game, the Italian coach made it clear there would be no easing-in period for the young midfielder or fellow arrival Quinten Timber.
That confidence was shaped by what De Zerbi had seen in training, a stance also linked to Nwaneri’s own excitement about working under a coach he deeply admires, as previously reported by SoftFootball.
After the match, De Zerbi expanded on why he believes Nwaneri’s ceiling is so high in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account. His praise focused on the teenager’s composure, technical quality and immediate influence on the game, qualities that convinced him Marseille had secured more than just a short-term option.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Roberto de Zerbi: Ethan Nwaneri will become a top player, I’m sure about that.
You can see the quality, the impact… he’s so good, same for Timber.
The coach also used the moment to underline his wider squad philosophy. By explaining that selection is based purely on what he sees on the pitch, De Zerbi signalled that Nwaneri’s debut was earned, not gifted.
As he put it:
In my team, there is no hierarchy because the only one who decides is me.
For Nwaneri, the move to Marseille was influenced by trust and advice from familiar figures. He previously revealed that William Saliba had described the club as one of the best clubs in the world, while he himself labelled De Zerbi one of the best coaches in the world.
With a goal already on the board and public backing from his manager, the teenager’s French adventure has begun exactly as planned.
