Player Analysis: Mikel Oyarzabal

At 23 years of age, Mikel Oyarzabal is quickly establishing himself as one of the biggest talents in La Liga. Born in Eibar, Gipuzkoa, Oyarzabal joined Real Sociedad's academy in 2011, where he would spend the next few years apart from a brief loan spell at Eibar in 2013/14, before making his first-team debut under then manager David Moyes on October 25, 2015, coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 win against Levante.

The Basque forward would go on to nail down a starting spot under Eusebio Sacristán, who replaced Moyes on November 9, earning a maiden call-up to the Spain national team at 19 years of age and balancing professional football with his studies at the University of Deusto. Midway through the 2017/18 season, Sacristán was sacked after a 2-1 loss to Getafe; in his place, Imanol Alguacil was promoted from the reserve team.

Under the tutelage of Alguacil, Oyarzabal has taken the leap from promising youngster to bonafide-level talent. After providing 14 goals and 4 assists in the 2018/19 campaign, Oyarzabal recorded double figures in goals and assists the following season, and today, he ranks third in the La Liga scoring charts with seven goals (tied with Karim Benzema and Luis Suárez), only behind Gerard Moreno and Iago Aspas.

Oyarzabal plays on the left wing of Alguacil's 4-3-3, typically playing alongside Alexander Isak and Portu in attack. Mikel Merino and Martín Zubimendi have partnered new signing David Silva in midfield, whilst Andoni Gorosabel, Aritz Elustondo, Robin Le Normand and Nacho Monreal make up the back four, with Álex Remiro starting in goal.