Player Focus: Athletic & Betis Wrap Up Crucial Beñat & Verdú Deals Early

This week has been interesting in Spain as two of the most talented midfielders in La Liga have moved on to new clubs. Importantly for the quality and reputation of the league both remained in Spain. A common trend recently has seen many talented players from outside the top two move on to England, Germany and Italy – with Beñat and Joan Verdú staying however, it reinforces the depth of the league.

Beñat is the most interesting case, especially given last summer he was one meeting away from being allowed to join Wolfsburg, who arrived with a €15m offer. Betis rejected it in the hope he’d help the club push forward, and indeed they did finishing in a European place, but decided to cash in this summer for €10m. Beñat wanted to leave and return to the club where he started his career, Athletic Bilbao, and they needed him just as much as he desired this move.

Without the rampaging runs of Javi Martínez offering a direct threat, and lack of a player with strong distribution attributes, Athletic have been a less than threatening proposition in attacking phases. Despite having the third largest amount of possession last season in La Liga with 56.6%, they managed to end up with only 12.7 shots on goal per game on average.

Too much of their play was ponderous, and lacked imagination. Ander, for all his attributes, is not someone able to provide a cutting edge in the final third. He’s a player similar to someone like Michael Carrick, able to knit the team together from deep and identify openings for wingers and attacking midfielders.

The 23-year old managed an average of 66.6 passes per game last season, more than anyone else at Athletic, but from that figure he mustered just two assists and 1.3 key passes per game. Those with the most assists - Ibai Gómez and Markel Susaeta, with 9 and 7 respectively - were both wide players in the system. They boasted impressive tallies that could get even better with someone like Beñat, who has the ability to play vertically and utilise his wide range of passing.

He managed 6.3 accurate long balls per game last season, with 53.5 passes in total per match. It was the most at Betis, and only Ander had more at Athletic. The stats show that he can of course play it short, simple and retain possession but also harnesses the ability to cut defences open with a pass, with 1.8 key passes per game an impressive average.

Ernesto Valverde, the man tasked with replacing Marcelo Bielsa, could also benefit from using a player with pace and ability to get in behind defences. It’s something that Athletic hasn’t had in a while, and with Iker Muniain needing a fresh outlook to his football there could be an opportunity for the youngster. There is the suggestion he could play off Beñat too, as a player drifting in between the lines and looking to pounce on any gaps left or created. Kike Sola has been mentioned too, with his mobility and technical qualities vastly underrated at Osasuna.

A feature of Valverde’s play at Valencia was the usage of interiors too, those players that in theory look like wingers but operate infield. Susaeta and Ibai are both capable of this and associating with a central distributor like Beñat could open the game out more for them. Éver Banega flourished in being handed the responsibility of guiding Valverde’s Valencia, and although he’s a better player, the Basque midfielder can still pack a punch in midfield. With Beñat’s arrival, Athletic have guarantees of adding more dimension to a midfield that at times was too reliant on Ander doing just about everything.

So, what about the team Beñat’s left behind in Betis? They too made their mark on the transfer market, and picked up Joan Verdú on a free transfer. For two seasons now Verdú’s carried Espanyol without much reward and his availability on a free made him one of the most sought after players in Spain. He now gets the chance to play in Europe, at his peak at 29-years old. Although not a like-for-like replacement for Beñat, he will offer that end product in attack. Verdú’s a more mobile player, and in essence suits Betis’ game that has developed over the last season more.

When they first came up they focused heavily on possession and patient play, but gradually moved into a more direct, aggressive and counter attacking style. He weighed in with 3 assists and 9 goals last season, and despite falling way short of Beñat’s assist tally provides more of a threat in the second line of midfield.

Verdu made 1.6 key passes per game last season, with another 1.3 shots per game. He’s impressive in the areas just off the attack, moving dangerously behind defences but also as a midfielder arriving late in the penalty area. Verdú’s ability on the ball is outstanding, as he has the vision to spread the play but also work within intricate spaces.

With an average of 50.4 passes per game and an accuracy of 80.5%, Verdú often took much of Espanyol’s weight on his shoulders. His link-up with Sergio García was particularly interesting to view, and the idea that Pepe Mel will be able to set up a pattern of play that links Verdú with Rubén Castro in a similar manner.

Because of his ability on the ball, vision and tactical understanding Verdú could easily play that Beñat role, gradually working from deep and linking the attack. With 3 accurate long balls per game even from an advanced role, Verdú showed his ability to offer variation in his play at Espanyol. With him you almost get two players in one as he balances patience and elegance with a sharp and alert presence in and around the penalty area. Verdú also dropped out wide for Espanyol last season, holding the ball up and laying off, before advancing into the penalty area.

For the clubs involved, signing these players will be the most important work they do all summer. Every move that is now made will be done so around the figures of Beñat and Verdú, with the duo firmly in mind.