Скачать или смотреть Mikel Merino - The box to box baller - Player analysis

The 24 year old Spanish CM/CDM is a vital piece in Sociedads midfield and has been for a few years now. Merino has been at several clubs during his young career; he started out at Osasuna and went on to play for Borussia Dortmund and then Newcastle before ending up where he is now.

Merino senior debut came for Osasuna reserve team in the Tercera division back in the 13/14 season. Although his first competitive appearance came in 2014 against Barcelona B team in the Segunda division when Osasuna beat them 2-0. He was thereafter promoted to the first team in 2015 wearing the number 8 shirt, he became a regular starter in his first season as a first team player helping Osasuna to avoid relegation. The following season Merino scored 4 goals in 34 games was part of a team who finished 6th and in the play-offs.

February 2016 Dortmund made their move for Mikel Merino and signed him for a bargain at £3.8M. Not really featuring much at all, in fact his first appearance came in October later that year during a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin.

Dortmund then sent him out on loan to Newcastle. This is where the rest of Europe began to pay close attention to him as he shined in several games. The club agreed to a clause obligating them to sign the player permanently, based on a number of appearances. On 13 October this was invoked, and he agreed to a five year contract. He made 24 appearances and scored just the one goal from a header, his performances were very impressive.

In fact he attracted a team back home. As Sociedad came calling in July 2018 signing him on a five year deal for a reported £12M. Since this move he has been a key player in Sociedads team and system. Playing as a holding midfielder in a 3 or playing as a LCM with license to drift wide at times and create overloads on the wing, or making runs into the box for crosses and cutbacks to the edge. He has made a name for himself across Europe getting many clubs interested in him. He is certainly one of the best all round CMs in the whole of Europe.