Player Focus: Real Sociedad's Rising Stars

While most clubs have to trawl around the world in search of future stars, Real Sociedad only had to look to their own youth academy to find not only one, but two players, who are now key to both their future and their present.

Iñigo Martinez and Asier Illarramendi have this season established themselves as bright young future prospects within Spanish football, and also consistent performers in the present. Both are products of the highly-regarded Zubieta youth system of la Real, and are on the verge of becoming the most famous fruits of its labour since Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta.

This past weekend in an impressive victory against Real Valladolid in which la Real dismantled their opponents in the first half, both players offered up excellent displays to join the many they have already produced this season. It’s credit to them both that these sorts of performances have become perfectly normal this term.

Martínez was colossal in defence, covering every area adeptly. It was his stepping out of the back-line that most caught the eye though, as he provided the base from which attacks were formulated. The centre-back (keep this in mind given the following statistics) made 71 passes – more than any other player on the field. He managed to hit 89% accuracy with them too, with a wide variation of passing range. 8 of his 10 long balls that game were made accurately as he played a key part of la Real’s direct counter-attacking play. As well as this he dealt with a physical striking opponent in Manucho, with assurance. Martínez used his main assets - his aggression and physical prowess - to dominate the Angolan striker.

It was another in the long line of sparkling displays, a far removed story from last season. Martínez seemed to be befalling the errors of other hotly tipped young Spanish defenders like Víctor Ruiz and Alberto Botía in letting silly individual mistakes into his game. There was an anxiety about his approach, and over-eagerness that allowed opponents to pounce. Now with consistency, it seems there is genuine hope of la Real not only having a top defender on their hands, but Spain having a genuine candidate to replace Carles Puyol. There are many comparative aspects to their styles such as their positive aggression, defensive coverage and combative aerial ability. If Martínez can smooth off the rough facets of his game; his anticipation and turn of pace, then there is no reason why he can’t achieve what Puyol has in his career.

Talk is he’s in pole position when it comes to making the leap into La Seleccion, with only concerns about his pace when being tested on the turn perhaps holding him back, especially considering Spain often play such a high line. The likes of Raúl Albiol and the aforementioned Botía and Ruiz are by comparison having mediocre seasons, and pose little threat. The 21-year-old is finally in a good place, and signs are he’s only going to get better.

Martínez isn’t the only one though, and his close friend Asier Illarramendi has been equally, if not even more impressive this season. The comparisons with Xabi Alonso continue to surround him, but regular viewers of the 23-year-old will recognise the differences between the two, with the cantera they were formed in perhaps their only genuine similarity. That, and - it would be nice to think - potential career trajectory. Unlike Martínez, Illarramendi can stake a claim to an impressive term in 2011/2012 and has built upon it superbly. Now he is the decisive component in front of the defence, linking together the midfield and attack - even some of la Real’s more disappointing games this season he has stood head and shoulders above the rest in terms of quality. He currently makes the most passes on the on the team with 52 per game, doing so with an accuracy of 81%. Of all the players to have started 20+ games this season at the club, that’s the 2nd best rating behing Antoine Griezmann.

It’s the defensive aspects of Illarramendi’s game that have taken prestige though, and la Real certainly needed it. Mikel Aranburu’s retirement was a loss both to the midfield and supporters who idolised him, but the wait for a new icon hasn’t been a long one, with Illarramendi stepping up immediately. His decisive, industrious work in midfield shuts down teams, as he goes about pinpointing the gaps and spaces before retaining possession and moving it onto la Real’s attacking quartet. Illarramendi makes 4 tackles per game and 2.6 interceptions; the former is the most in the team and the latter more than anyone else bar right-back Carlos Martínez. What is more, his total of 101 tackles this season is third of all players in the Spanish top flight this term.

His rough exterior and more direct approach to the game could be of interest to Vicente del Bosque if he wishes to add more variety to his midfield. Illarramendi is unique in style within Spain as other players are more stylistically conscious; rarely has the country produced an individual quite like la Real’s man. His energy and directness are both highly positive aspects, and if there was ever a desire for an alternative weapon in Del Bosque’s impressive arsenal, then here it is. There’s an exterior to Illarramendi that stands out too; the composure, confidence and vision in his game round off a highly competitive individual who might just remain under the radar even on his way to the top.

La Real are taking special care with their two diamonds, who, although they remain slightly rough, are becoming refined with each passing game. Few in Spain at this moment in time, are shining brighter.