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Martin Zubimendi
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Good buy Zubimendi
Omg we've signed BUSQUETS!!
Arne Slot has never played with a DM
He played with Kokcu, Koopmeiners, Wieffer.. None of them are what you'd call a traditional DM
If he wanted a DM, we'd have signed Ugarte or just keep Endo.
Sign the man. Back his tactics.
High praise from Xabi Alonso, who coached Zubimendi when he was in charge of Real Sociedad B team:
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“Martin’s a player all coaches would want. He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself."
"He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move.
“He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organize the axis. I loved working with him."
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“Martin’s a player all coaches would want. He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself."
"He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move.
“He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organize the axis. I loved working with him."
I saw some opinions saying Zubimendi and Macca are pretty similar players, but I think this chart shows how they can complement each other. The two areas where MacAllister has superior numbers are progressive passes and carries - which shows his more offensive orientation (which was stifled when played at #6).
Notice how in contrast Zubimendi has a lot more forward passes and better forward pass % - he’s a specialist at moving the ball forward through passing quickly and efficiently, while inviting just the right amount of opposition pressure to create a bit of space for his passing targets. One flaw of Macca at #6 was that he oscillated between extremely safe and high-risk/high-reward passing with not much in between - to be a true metronome you need to find just the right balance between the two and stay in that zone consistently, that’s how your teammates will know what to expect.
Overall, I think Zubimendi is the ultimate bread and butter midfielder, someone who will almost never do spectacular and eye-catching things, but who will control the engine room and free up the likes of Macca and Szoboszlai to show more of their creative side.
As if the opposition is actually going to get the ball off us!!!
Yes, you’d think we’d possibly want to keep someone in the ranks who can do that dirty work but I’m happy to see a new manager come in and act quickly to get in highly rated players who fit his philosophy.
Zubi didn’t have any problems making big tackles on the likes of Walker, Rice or Palmer in the Euros so i think he’s got it in his game when he needs.
I don’t want to moan. The lad looks a player. On the whole I just wonder about our athleticism and pace in centre mid.
Grab suddenly caring about defence will surprise me positively. Slob is athletic though, but a ten.
But we clearly will set up and play differently. I haven’t seen any friendlies, so I am eager to see how it works.
We most certainly have to get Macca further up the pitch. His ball carry and key passes are the best weapon we have from midfield and he is wasted playing in DM. If Zubi indeeds plays like Busquet then he should complement Macca perfectly.
I will keep Endo just to prevent Macca from having to drop back to DM if Zubi is rested. I will sell one of Jones / Grav. Preferably Jones for some stupid money based on his age and english premium. I don't see how Jones is going to get many minutes. Harvey / Szobo should be ahead of him and Grav has alot more potential.
Of course, all observations are based on what I have seen last season.
Yep that's my concern as well. Technically great, but you wonder if we're going to get bullied in midfield with mac and zubi. Its no coincidence we looked better last season when endo came in as a enforcer even if he is limited as a footballer.
Haven't read the whole thread but there's one factor which niggles me a bit. How much of Zubimendi's reluctance to leave Sociedad, even to join Barcelona, is down to the fact that it's his local club, hence how much of an effect might a move away have on him? We'd better make sure we do our due diligence on that aspect of all this.
Incorrect. He's no way an 8. Def a 6. But not a classic destroyer. More in the Busquets mould, but nowhere near his class (probably best of all time as a metronome).
He's like the budget version of Rodri, in all aspects. Exactly why he was subbed on for him in the Euro final.
I'd expect a longer settling in period, but ultimately he surely has come to terms with the idea that he would need to leave Sociedad to fulfill his potential. Also, his current fans would likely prefer him to leave the league. We couldn't imagine Suarez playing for Arsenal, but at Barca Luis was yesterday's news as far as we were concerned.
Also, it's worth noting that Xabi Alonso has surely spoken to him about the prospect of living and playing in Liverpool. It might even be the thing that made the difference.
"It's great in Liverpool. You'll be adored by the fans, they play scintillating football and you've a real.chance to develop in a difficult league. And the best part is you don't even have to tip when you go out for meals"
Zubimendi shares an agent with Xabi and Andoni Iraola. Richard Hughes clearly has a strong relationship with the agent given he appointed Iraola at Bournemouth, and also reached to Xabi before appointing Slot.
I would think we have been given encouragement that he's eager to move to us. I would also assume Xabi would give us a good reference. There's a strong history of Spanish midfielders doing very well in England, so I'm sure that's a factor that'll weigh with him as well.
According to the latest in the Echo, we will know on Thursday. I am quite surprised this leaked out if it is still 50-50. Maybe we wanted him to see how excited fans are to welcome him.
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