Martin ZUBIMENDI
REAL SOCIEDAD
It should come as no surprise that Zubimendi, 21, cites Basque midfield legend Xabi Alonso (ex-Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Spain) as a role model. Alonso was his coach with the Real Sociedad B team and he and the homegrown youngster have much in common: the same midfield pivot role, combining intelligence with vision and tempo-controlling skills.
Zubimendi has only been a first-teamer at the San Sebastian outfit for a few months – blooded at the tail-end of last term when regular starters Asier Illarramendi and Ander Guevara were ruled out by injury – but he already looks to have a big future ahead of him.