Mohamed Bachir Belloumi has changed what an impact winger looks like in the Premier League. At 24, the Algerian has stormed into English football, not as a supporting act but as a tactical weapon who has shifted Hull’s entire attacking identity. His dribbling numbers don’t just look good on paper. They have changed the way Hull move up the pitch, break through pressing teams, and create real chances.
Belloumi’s dribbling changes Hull’s attack
Belloumi has completed 19 dribbles from 29 attempts, a 65.5% success rate that leads the league. Those aren’t just flashy stats for his highlight reel. Hull now build their attacks differently. Instead of slow buildup play, they let Belloumi isolate a defender out wide and trust him to beat his man. That forces opposing midfields to shift across, creating space in the middle for Hull’s midfielders to move into.
No other Premier League player this season comes close to Belloumi’s mix of volume and efficiency. S. Moreira de Oliveira at Tottenham and M. Kudus have both racked up attempts, but neither matches Belloumi’s blend of frequent dribbles and high completion. He isn’t just a busy winger, he’s become Hull’s main source of ball progression, turning individual skill into a team advantage.
| Rank | Player | Team | Dribbles Attempted | Successful Dribbles | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M. Belloumi | Hull City | 29 | 19 | 65.5% |
| 2 | S. Moreira de Oliveira | Tottenham Hotspur | 34 | 18 | 52.9% |
| 3 | M. Kudus | Tottenham Hotspur | 27 | 17 | 63.0% |
| 4 | J. Enciso | Ipswich Town | 38 | 16 | 42.1% |
| 5 | J. Doku | Manchester City | 30 | 15 | 50.0% |
Belloumi’s dribbles aren’t wasted in harmless areas. He usually starts wide but ends up in the half-spaces, dragging defenders out and forcing the opposition to commit extra men to his side. That stretches the defensive line, and Hull are ready to exploit those gaps with late runs from midfield.
How Belloumi changes Hull’s system
Hull now rely on Belloumi as their escape route when under pressure. Against teams that press high, Hull often play early vertical passes to him. He’s so secure in one-on-ones that, even when pressed, Hull keep moving forward. Opponents have had to rethink their pressing strategies. Some now hesitate to close down Hull as aggressively, worried about Belloumi bursting past them. That shift has made Hull more unpredictable and harder to press.
Belloumi’s influence stretches beyond his own wing. By demanding two markers at times, he frees up teammates to drift inside and create overloads elsewhere. When teams sit deep, Belloumi becomes Hull’s main weapon for breaking down static defences. His agility forces defenders off their lines, opening up cutback chances.
His dribbling isn’t just about flair. It shapes Hull’s whole approach. When Belloumi gets the ball, Hull’s full-backs hold back instead of overlapping early. That keeps the defence stable and lets Hull recover quickly if they lose possession. The coaching staff have made this adjustment because Belloumi is so good at keeping the ball and drawing fouls, which lowers the risk of getting hit on the counter.
Belloumi’s effect is clear. His dribbling has sparked a new way of playing for Hull in the Premier League. The numbers back it up, but his real influence is in the way Hull attack and the way opponents now have to defend. Premier League defences now have a new problem to solve: stop Belloumi, or risk being pulled apart.
