Liverpool’s seek for a defensive midfielder has been extremely quiet up till Martin Zubimendi’s title was dropped by a number of reporters because the membership’s main candidate.
A ‘thriller’ No. 6 was stated to have been recognized by Liverpool, however no names had been initially dropped and it left followers to invest on who it may very well 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 similar 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 more in-depth take a look at the thrilling 25-year-old.
Who’s Martin Zubimendi?
Age: 25Height: 5’9″ (1.81m)Nationality: SpanishStrengths: Aerial duels, by means of balls, blocking
Zubimendi joined Actual Sociedad’s academy in 2011 and labored his approach up the ranks of his boyhood membership, occurring to make his La Liga debut not lengthy after turning 19.
He has performed 188 video games for his or her senior workforce, together with his performances incomes him the eye of Barcelona after 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 workforce that received the Euros through the summer time – he’s usually 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 wish to be a defensive midfielder in 2021 is why Slot and Co. have been drawn in his path.
“You need to have a ample humility to dedicate your self to the workforce,” Zubimendi advised 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 always serving to, whether or not it’s for the line of defense or your teammates greater up.”
The 25-year-old may be very robust within the air, registering 1.4 profitable aerial duels per 90 minutes, in line with WhoScored, and he additionally averages 1.5 clearances per recreation.
Aerial energy is extremely essential within the Premier League and having one other robust, ‘taller’ choice in midfield will probably be of giant profit to Liverpool.
Within the phrases of Breaking the Traces, 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 means.”
Strengths and weaknesses
Zubimendi has struck a formidable stability of when he must drop again to assist defensively and when he may help progress the workforce up the pitch.
He’s robust in tight areas and may hold the ball below strain, together with his recreation intelligence making certain he’s switched on in all phases of play – feels like one thing Slot desires from his No. 6!
As per WhoScored in January, no participant had received possession within the midfield third extra occasions (197) than Zubimendi in La Liga since 2022/23 – a testomony to his means 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 prime 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 obligatory versus always trying to make his presence identified to the opposition – nearly Fabinho-like.
In line with WhoScored, he “has no important 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 nice! ?#LFC
? Powered by @xfbsays ? pic.twitter.com/jxFgnaESvy
— Jimi (@borbely_imre) August 7, 2024
He notched 4 targets 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 workforce, and he was the final participant to maneuver from the Spanish aspect to Anfield. That didn’t prove too unhealthy, 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 time however the want for a youthful and dynamic choice remained.
Zubimendi ticks plenty 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, possible paired up with Alexis Mac Allister, to inject additional technical high quality along with his expertise taking part in in a double pivot.
In an interview with SPORT in 2023, he defined: “I could be extra cellular, however typically I’ve all the time performed as a pivot.
“At Actual Sociedad I play as a centre-back every so often, however I hardly ever 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 every thing.”
Zubimendi’s talent set permits these round him to shine, he’s proven beforehand with the likes of David Silva that he can facilitate and improve their strengths whereas taking part in into his personal.
This could 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 all the time thinks extra about his teammates than himself. He has that means to generate play, to make these round him higher, all the time providing options; to enhance the transfer.”
There are few higher endorsements than that! Let’s hope Liverpool can get the switch over the road.
