Name: Inigo Martinez Berridi
Age: 22
Nationality: Spanish; An integral part in the Spain U-21 team
Club: Real Sociedad
Position: Central Defender
Inigo Martinez has been compared to Carles Puyol and he has backed that up with a strong showing at the U-21 European Championships in Israel
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Real Sociedad’s stunning season in the 2012-13 La Liga campaign is down to the contributions made by a resilient 22-year old defender at the heart of the Basque outfit’s strong defensive line up. Inigo Martinez was born and brought up in the Basque country and his performance at the fortress-like Anoeta over the past couple of years has made Barcelona sit up and notice his progress, while lining up a possible lucrative deal to bring the Spanish U-21 international to the Nou Camp in the near future.
The European U-21 Championships being held in Israel currently is being considered as the international platform where Inigo Martinez appears for a final trial before Barcelona make that telling move. No wonder the boy from the Basque region of Biscay is one of the stand out performers after round 1 as Spain have begun their defence of the title with considerable ease and authority. The La Rojita have conceded no goals in the three tough games against the offensive minded teams of the calibre of Russia, Germany and the Netherlands, a testament to the fact that Martinez is growing in stature as a top-notch international defender. The San Sabastien talent was in inspired form at the heart of defence as Spain beat the highly fancied Dutch 3-0 to make it three wins out of three on Wednesday, thus, booking a semi-final date with Norway.
Standing at 5ft 11in, Inigo Martinez is not the tallest of defenders around, but his reading of the game and strength in the air make him a formidable centre back and not many La Liga forwards have found it easy to go past the man who has helped Real Sociedad to a Champions League spot next season, and although, the club from San Sebastien offers the 22-year old the chance to shine at Europe’s biggest stage next season, Barcelona’s attraction could be a little too hard to ignore and more so when comparisons with the legendary Carlos Puyol are doing rounds in both Catalunya and the Basque country. The comparisons are down to the fact that Martinez has a physical stature and style of play similar to that of Puyol.
His ability in the air as well as intelligent reading of the game have made him a strong versatile defender, and with Mikel Gonzalez at centre-half, the two men have forged a rock like central defensive partnership at Sociedad. Seven goals in 60 games for Real Sociedad over the past two seasons prove that the boy has a wonderful eye for goals and his style of play fits into the Spanish philosophy of involving defenders in attack. His two goals against Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao from his own half do suggest that young Martinez is comfortable with the ball, meaning teams can rely on him to play the ball out of defence. With an accurate passing record aided by an ambition to pour forward and connect with the attacking play, the Basque defender is set to score more goals as his career progresses forward. Inigo Martinez’s game is highly suited for teams who rely on fast counter-attacking football and the Spain U-21 man has shown a high fitness level over the course of the season to suggest that his strengths lie in a pressing defensive game.
One criticism of this very talented player could be his immaturity which has led to too many yellow cards and suspensions when he started his career for Sociedad, but last season this disciplinary record has improved considerably as Inigo Martinez sets his sights on bigger things come next season and beyond. With the World Cup just a year to go, this could be a big season for the Basque lad who could be in Vicente del Bosque’s plans for Brazil next summer.
