Last season for Athletic started with doubts surrounding the center forward. Gorka Guruzeta managed to pull it off the first time with goals and great performances. The San Sebastian player has become one of the regulars in Valverde’s lineup.
The remaining attacking positions did not generate good debates due to the level shown by the Williams brothers on the wingers with Sancet as a link. The latter’s irregularity opened the possibility that both Muniain and Unai Gómez, Raúl García and even Berenguer were playing in the back nine. Of all of them, the only one who is sure to continue in the red and white discipline next season is Bermeotarra. Berenguer would not be considered well today, even if his continuation as a lion was reduced to a simple matter of time.
Guruzeta, therefore, was presented as the first alternative to play as a center forward. From there it remains to be seen what will happen both to Villalibre, a footballer who has not yet fully convinced Valverde, and to Javi Martón, a striker who has returned from his loan to Mirandés after a year marked by a serious injury that he passed. . in the latter part of the League. The Gasteiz coach can also turn at specific times to Iñaki Williams in the forward line and even to Álvaro Djaló, the first red and white signing for the new season.
Come in, stay or leave
The arrival of this forward from Braga and even the return of Martón only increases the competition for a Villalibre team that last season came on as a substitute for a teammate in fourteen League games and only started four times, scoring two goals. In the Cup he participated in six of eight matches, three starts and another three from the bench, and finished the team’s top scorer with six goals.
Valverde doesn’t seem to count Búfalo that much despite his prowess as a scorer, a prowess that has caught the attention of several European clubs. We will have to wait to see what happens with his future as a Lion, as his contract expires in June 2025. Alavés, as is known, are very interested in acquiring his services, but we will have to wait for events because Athletic had to participate in four competitions on the new course.
The Izeta option
Despite finishing last season as the red-and-white reserve team’s top scorer with 21 goals, Urko Izeta does not seem to be part of Valverde’s plans. Bilbao Athletic’s leading scorer, barring a surprise, may not be called up to conduct the preseason with the lions.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
