Liverpool’s seek for a defensive midfielder has been extremely quiet up till Martin Zubimendi’s identify was dropped by a number of reporters because the membership’s main candidate.
A ‘thriller’ No. 6 was mentioned to have been recognized by Liverpool, however no names had been initially dropped and it left followers to invest on who it could possibly be.
Actual Sociedad’s Zubimendi has now been revealed because the thriller man, a participant with a €60 million (£51.5m) buyout clause – which Liverpool reportedly would want to pay in full.
With a number of reporters relaying the information on the identical time they had been evidently briefed, which suggests the state of affairs is at a promising stage even when Zubimendi nonetheless must be “satisfied.”
Having emerged because the Reds’ main switch goal, let’s take a better have a look at the thrilling 25-year-old.
Who’s Martin Zubimendi?
Age: 25
Top: 5’9″ (1.81m)
Nationality: Spanish
Strengths: Aerial duels, via balls, blocking
Zubimendi joined Actual Sociedad’s academy in 2011 and labored his approach up the ranks of his boyhood membership, happening to make his La Liga debut not lengthy after turning 19.
He has performed 188 video games for his or her senior group, together with his performances incomes him the eye of Barcelona once they had been looking for a alternative for the legendary Sergio Busquets.
The midfielder has 10 caps for Spain and was a part of the group that gained the Euros throughout the summer season – he’s sometimes behind Rodri within the pecking order however he changed the Man Metropolis man at half time within the last.
Described as a deep-lying playmaker, Zubimendi’s evaluation of what it seems to be wish to be a defensive midfielder in 2021 is why Slot and Co. have been drawn in his route.
“You need to have a enough humility to dedicate your self to the group,” Zubimendi instructed Mundo Deportivo.
Martín Zubimendi vs Rodri’s last season in La Liga (Atlético Madrid) (FBref) pic.twitter.com/NlAx1eaO6G
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) August 7, 2024
“The very first thing is the collective – not being individualistic. [It’s] about being continually serving to, whether or not it’s for the line of defense or your teammates larger up.”
The 25-year-old could be very sturdy within the air, registering 1.4 profitable aerial duels per 90 minutes, in keeping with WhoScored, and he additionally averages 1.5 clearances per sport.
Aerial energy is extremely essential within the Premier League and having one other sturdy, ‘taller’ choice in midfield will probably be of giant profit to Liverpool.
Within the phrases of Breaking the Strains, the Spaniard “is tidy on the ball and works exhausting to win the ball again” and he can maintain “his personal in floor duels and aerial duels” along with “pushing possession into the ultimate third together with his composed passing skill.”
Strengths and weaknesses
Zubimendi has struck a powerful stability of when he must drop again to assist defensively and when he may help progress the group up the pitch.
He’s sturdy in tight areas and may hold the ball underneath stress, together with his sport intelligence guaranteeing he’s switched on in all phases of play – appears like one thing Slot needs from his No. 6!
As per WhoScored in January, no participant had gained possession within the midfield third extra instances (197) than Zubimendi in La Liga since 2022/23 – a testomony to his skill to carry his personal.
Zubimendi pic.twitter.com/g0RUTZzVBe
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) August 7, 2024
The Spaniard is described as with the ability to “dictate the tempo together with his calm and composed passing,” and in 2021/22 he ranked within the high 5 in La Liga for duel and aerial duel win proportion.
He’s developed within the years since and has a knack for intervening when mandatory versus continually making an attempt to make his presence identified to the opposition – virtually Fabinho-like.
In response to WhoScored, he “has no vital weaknesses” however FBref locations him within the 62nd percentile for progressive passes per 90, an space he may additional strengthen as Slot seeks a progressive defensive midfielder.
As @David_Ornstein tweeted: “Liverpool exploring deal to signal Martin Zubimendi from Actual Sociedad. Not straightforward as €60m launch clause must be paid in full if decrease price cannot be agreed.” ?
His def. workrate viz from final season seems to be nice! ?#LFC
? Powered by @xfbsays ? pic.twitter.com/jxFgnaESvy
— Jimi (@borbely_imre) August 7, 2024
He notched 4 objectives and one help for Actual Sociedad final season and is a participant who does his work with little fuss, a participant followers can heat up in a short time to.
Xabi Alonso coached Zubimendi throughout his time with Actual Sociedad’s B group, and he was the final participant to maneuver from the Spanish facet to Anfield. That didn’t prove too dangerous, did it?
How would he slot in?
Liverpool’s want for a No. 6 is nothing new, Wataru Endo was a fast repair final summer season however the want for a youthful and dynamic choice remained.
Zubimendi ticks quite a bit of bins and his arrival may set off the departure of Endo, who was the topic of a rejected £11.8 million bid from Marseille earlier in the summertime.
The 25-year-old would instantly slot into the midfield, seemingly paired up with Alexis Mac Allister, to inject additional technical high quality along with his expertise enjoying in a double pivot.
In an interview with SPORT in 2023, he defined: “I might be extra cell, however typically I’ve at all times performed as a pivot.
“At Actual Sociedad I play as a centre-back occasionally, however I not often play inside. [A centre-mid] needs to be offering options on a regular basis, offensively and defensively.
“At all times be attentive to teammates, offensively and defensively. Resolve conditions and above all have management, command, be the axis of all the pieces.”
Zubimendi’s talent set allows these round him to shine, he’s proven beforehand with the likes of David Silva that he can facilitate and improve their strengths whereas enjoying into his personal.
This might be music to the ears of Dominik Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott, even Mac Allister and Curtis Jones as he can hold the midfield ticking and hyperlink all three thirds collectively.
Alonso beforehand described the younger midfielder as a participant “all coaches would need.”
The previous Reds midfielder defined: “He’s beneficiant, he at all times thinks extra about his teammates than himself. He has that skill to generate play, to make these round him higher, at all times providing options; to enhance the transfer.”
There are few higher endorsements than that! Let’s hope Liverpool can get the switch over the road.
