One of the most decorated young forwards in Spanish football. Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal is enjoying a remarkable season at the Anoeta stadium, placing himself amongst the most elite forwards in the La Liga this season.
Real Sociedad are indeed blessed with an array of rich bright young talents currently. Martin Odegaard (currently on loan from Real Madrid), Alexander Isak, Mikel Merino and Igor Zubeldia, but Mikel Oyarzabal has been one of the standout performers and if he can carry on this sort of form once the season resumes after the coronavirus pandemic, who’s to say the Spanish forward won’t lead Sociedad to an unprecedented Champions League spot.
They currently sit fourth in the league, but face stiff competition from surprise package Getafe, Atletico Madrid and Valencia to secure the last Champions League place. Whether Sociedad secure their place in Europe’s elite competition or not, Oyarzabal will almost certainly be plying amongst much more grander, greener pastures.
Who is Mikel Oyarzabal?
Born in Eibar, Spain. Mikel Oyarzabal joined the Real Sociedad youth setup in 2011, aged 14. At the age of 17, he made debut for the reserves in 2014, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3-2 away win against SD Amorebieta in the Segunda B Division.
The following season is where he grabbed his first goals for the reserve side, scoring twice in a 5-0 drubbing of CD Mensajaro. It’s through eye-catching performances that meant the first team had to stand up and take notice. He was rewarded with his first La Liga appearance, replacing Carlos Vela in the dying minutes of a 4-0 win over Levante.
That same season, he notched his first goal for the first team, in February 2016 against Espanyol in a comfortable 5-0 victory. His emergence onto the scene prompted a contract extension from the club running till 2021. Oyarzabal then netted another two goals against Granada in a 3-0 victory. The Spanish forward felt at home in his new side, gradually becoming a vital component in attack. The following summer, he the extended his contract for a further year, featuring in every 38 La Liga match during the 2016/17 campaign.
Oyarzabal hasn’t looked back since, becoming the face and poster boy of the club.
He’s now a regular for Spain at international level where he is also rated highly especially by coach Luis Enrique. He’s represented Spain at under-18 and under-19 levels. It was in 2016, at the age of 19 where he made his international debut against Bosnia in 2016, playing 30 minutes. He made his full debut against Sweden in October 2019, also scoring his first international goal for his nation. Oyarzabal has gone on to make a further 6 appearances for Spain, adding his second goal in the 5-0 win over Romania in their last international outing in November.
What’s his style of play?
Naturally a left-winger, Oyarzabal also holds the unique qualities to play across the three behind the striker. He’s also lined up in the number 10 position too behind Willian Jose or Alexander Isak. However, much of his play comes from the left in Sociedad’s 4-3-3 setup, where he’s not your typical winger but rather an inverted one. A player who performs most of their work centrally, providing him with the license to roam between the opposition defenders and midfielders.
Across all competitions this season, Oyarzabal has registered 10 goals and 6 assists at club level, highlighting his incredible influence and importance alongside his superb creative on-loan Real Madrid partner Martin Ødegaard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2eoL0Kdes4
The Spanish international is uniquely gifted, he may not be as quick as most players, but is blessed with extraordinary skill-sets and composure which allows him to get by his opponents with such swift ease. Per 90 minutes in La Liga this season, Oyarzabal registers 2.2 dribbles meaning he is well versed in not only getting past defenders but also dribbling his team up the pitch or becoming effective when dribbling within confined spaces.
It’s within those areas where Oyarzabal is so impressively decisive and effective. This season, he’s registered 24 passes into the final third, created 22 chances, and completed 15 key passes. Per 90, he’s registered 1.2 key passes. He’s expected goals per 90 reads at 0.31 and his expected assists, at 0.20. Other than Martin Ødegaard, Oyarzabal is indeed Real Sociedad’s main creative hub, almost every attacking move within the final third is constructed by the Spaniard.
It’s no wonder why clubs such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all keeping tabs on him. Players like Oyarzabal are a rare breed in modern football. A player who is very complete in the art of creating chances and becoming so influential in attacking phases of play.
The Sociedad number 10 is a phenomenon in La Liga. Arguably the closest talent it has to Lionel Messi. Not only do the Sociedad fans love him but almost every fan across Spain. Mikel Oyarzabal is difficult to hate. The way in which he weaves his way past his marker, is pleasing on the eye. His low sense of gravity, delicate ball control mixed with the vision for an eye of the needle pass, he is a player sure to entertain and excite fans for years to come.
Where should Oyarzabal head to next?
It’s no secret that Oyarzabal is enjoying arguably the best football of his career this season so far. If Real Sociedad do qualify for the Champions League for next season, you can’t back against him committing his future at the Anoeta stadium.
However, you would imagine the drive and ambition in the young Spanish forward, to test himself at world’s elite clubs. At 23-years of age, Oyarzabal is progressing into the most important years of his career and here’s assuming that he would love to test himself at the pinnacle. It’s unclear if Barcelona’s interest is indeed strong considering the passion to sign Lautaro Martinez and Neymar, they won’t be able to afford both players, so its unclear whether they would manage to do a deal for Oyarzabal. The La Liga champions would need massive clear-out to pursue a deal for the forward.
Bayern Munich are a strong bet, but it is reported they are hugely interested in Manchester City’s Leroy Sane. If Sane does indeed join Munich, then a Man City move for the Spanish wonderkid would be a real possibility. Oyarzabal on current form would thrive in the Premier League, especially under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola and could work expertly well with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus. Plus, it provides Guardiola with an array of bright young attacking talents at his disposal.
Oyarzabal certainly harnesses the unique attacking and creative qualities to absolutely thrive in Manchester.
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