Who is Zubimendi?

BBC News

17 hours ago

Martin Zubimendi played 236 times for Real Sociedad - his only club to date - and scored 10 goals.But he is not a goalscorer, because he is primarily a defensive midfielder.Real Sociedad played several formations last season, though mostly it was a 4-1-4-1 with Zubimendi as the pivot.In La Liga in 2024-25, he ranked in the top five of central midfielders for successful passes, successful long passes, progressive passes, touches, tackles, interceptions, aerial duels won and distance of completed upfield passes (8.5km)."He's not a paragon of technical prowess, nor does he stand out for his vision, his long ball touch, or his ability to link up," said Spanish journalist and Real Sociedad expert Roberto Ramajo, external."He delivers in every aspect of a midfielder's game, and he always contributes. And that's what sets him apart, what allows him to excel the way he has at Real Sociedad since he came into the first team."Martin has very good tactical ability. He knows how to occupy space on the pitch almost perfectly, and he reads his team's needs very well when it comes to helping his team-mates."He has fantastic reading of the game, because he's very intelligent without the ball. I know he's hailed with the ball, but I like him better off it."Read the full piece here