Takefusa Kubo
His nickname: the Japanese Messi
His technical portrait: the acceleration of Kubo (23 years old) is dazzling. With or without a ball. The pocket winger’s (1.73m) ability to eliminate a man will certainly force Anderlecht to adapt to him and why not opt for double coverage. The Japanese is not only a dribbling and goal machine (2 this season), he also has the soul of a worker.
An anecdote about him: the story of his time at Barça and then Real Madrid has been told but between his first two Spanish clubs, Kubo returned to Japan where he played at the highest level at a very early age at Tokyo FC. Having started in the local third division at just over 15, he was not 16 when he scored his first goal there. This Messi fan joined the Tokyo club’s first team a few months later.
Opponent of Anderlecht on Thursday, Kubo, the Japanese Messi, stood out in… Brussels at 8 years old: “Everyone stopped to watch him play”
Martin Zubimendi
His nickname: the new Busquets
His technical portrait: the nickname of Zubimendi (25 years old) is not stolen. Slender and elegant, he is the opposite of the old-fashioned number 6 who enjoyed tickling the shin guards. The Spaniard is very clean in his interventions, which does not prevent him from scratching a lot of balls and throwing them back with great ease. He knows how to act as a withdrawn playmaker when his team needs it.
An anecdote about him: a pure product of the Real Sociedad team, he should not last long. Arsenal pushed hard all summer before being given priority by Liverpool. The Reds had agreed to pay his clause estimated at 60 million but the player preferred to stay at home following a discussion with his coach. He is not closed to a departure this winter and Liverpool could be given priority by Manchester City.
Mikel Oyarzabal
His nickname: El capitan – The captain
His technical portrait: put Oyarzabal where you want him on the attacking front, he will know what to do. The number 10 and captain of the Blue and White is the symbol of this team and its quality. The European champion is not the finest in his dribbling but is a player of extreme intelligence. In his placement, his vision of the game and in his passing.
An anecdote about him: Oyarzabal has a knack for being decisive in big matches. In 2021, he offered the King’s Cup to his club by scoring the only goal of the match from the penalty spot. In 2024, it is with La Roja that he distinguished himself. The Basque scored the winning goal in the final against England.
Athletic Bilbao – Real Sociedad: the homeland sticks to the Basques
Brais Mendez
His nickname: The Magician – Le magicien
His technical portrait: the size of Brais Mendez (1.87 m) almost clashes with his style, his technique and his natural elegance. Versatile, he expresses himself better in a central position in midfield but can help out on the wing, or even further down the field.
An anecdote about him: bad luck sticks to his crampons. He has just returned from a (slight) fracture in his foot after having already had to miss the end of the season due to a… fracture in his foot which this time required an operation. His state of freshness must be taken into account by his coach.
