Yassir Zabiri has made an exceptional start to life at Racing Santander, scoring seven goals in eight Liga appearances despite expected goals (xG) figures suggesting he should have managed only 3.3.

The 21-year-old Morocco international has outperformed the quality of the chances created for him by 3.7 goals, almost doubling his expected total. Only two players in the Spanish league, including Raphinha, have been more efficient in front of goal.

Zabiri’s figure places him ahead of major Liga names such as Lamine Yamal, who is at +2.00, and Kylian Mbappe, on +0.10. The Rennes loanee is also third in the competition’s scoring charts after eight matchdays.

None of his seven goals has come from the penalty spot, while five were scored with his first touch. Those figures underline his ability to anticipate danger, find the right position and shoot before defenders have time to intervene.

A natural left-footer, Zabiri has also scored twice with his right foot. His hat-trick on 28 August, completed in fewer than 21 minutes, provided an early indication of his finishing ability and brought him close to a record associated with Samuel Eto’o.

Since then, his form has continued with a consistency few would have expected after an unremarkable spell in France with Rennes. The more direct nature of Spanish football, with its greater emphasis on attacking space, appears to suit his strengths.

A breakthrough that requires patience

Zabiri’s unusually large gap between his goal tally and xG also demands some caution. Maintaining such a level of finishing indefinitely will be difficult, while the striker still has areas of his game to improve.

He needs to contribute more fully to overall play, show greater discipline after already collecting four yellow cards, and remain influential when chances are limited. Opponents will also become more familiar with his movement and will pay closer attention to his left foot.

His rapid rise has nevertheless been noticed in Morocco. Mustapha Hadji, who says he regularly follows Zabiri’s performances, believes the forward could become “one of the great Moroccan strikers” if he maintains his current commitment to work.

Competition for places in the Morocco national team remains strong, and a few prolific weeks are not enough to change the established hierarchy. Zabiri has already been introduced to the Atlas Lions after winning the U20 World Cup, but his most recent international gathering was relatively quiet.

Even so, his performances for Racing Santander are beginning to make a serious case for a role with the senior side.