Winger Kubo showing his potential

– Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo (right) has waited a long time to make good on his potential but finally he is shining in La Liga.

The Japan international has scored four goals in his last four league games and is the Basque team’s key figure ahead of the visit to face Atletico Madrid tomorrow.

Imanol Alguacil’s side have plenty of other dangerous weapons, including Brais Mendez, Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino, but Kubo is playing particularly well.

With victory tomorrow Real, fifth, could overtake Atletico and climb into fourth place, which is where they finished last season to qualify for the Champions League.

Atletico are in formidable form after a convincing derby win over rivals and league leaders Real Madrid and two impressive comeback wins over Cadiz and Feyenoord, the latter in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Real Sociedad have started well in Europe themselves, dominating last season’s runners-up Inter Milan, albeit in a draw before pocketing a 2-0 win at Salzburg on Tuesday.

Kubo has five strikes in La Liga, with only Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham ahead of him on six.

The 22-year-old’s most recent came in the 3-0 Basque derby win over Athletic Bilbao which cemented La Real’s status as the region’s current best side.

Kubo celebrated in humourous fashion, appearing to pull up injured before breaking out into a “twerk” dance move.

Athletic defender Yuri Berchiche twice clipped him around the head as he jogged back for the restart.

“I was calmly going back to my own half and I was hit twice. I realised it was Yuri who was very angry,” said Kubo.

“I didn’t want to get involved... if I go down there it’s probably a red, but I didn’t want to.”

The visit to the Metropolitano will be another opportunity to showcase his status as one of La Liga’s best players after a complicated climb to the summit. –