'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/2gAIAQEAAAAAm//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAIAQIQAAAAf//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAIAQMQAAAAf//EABoQAQABBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECEBESMVH/2gAIAQEAAT8AyARjddPKf//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAIAQIBAT8Af//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAIAQMBAT8Af//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
“El Estilete” (The Stylet) as he’s known and called by the fans of Athletic club , Markel Susaeta , a youth product of Athletic Bilbao has over these years established himself as one of the main fixtures in the starting XI. Seen as one the leaders in the team , Susaeta has contributed a lot and has stepped up from time to time when his team has needed him. He’s come leaps and bounds over these past few years and has arguably been the most consistent player at the club.
A real fan favorite at the San Mames , the 26 year old attacking midfielder is a pacey customer and is a danger for any defense. He mainly operates on the right flank and is excellent at stretching the opposition by making good, intelligent runs. Calm and composed on the ball , he’s a quick natural dribbler who does like to cut in from the right flank and switch positions at times. Some of the major standout qualities he has is his ability to run at defenders and to cross.
He’s very intelligent in and around the penalty box , and this is another positive and unique quality possessed by the Spaniard. Being a set-piece specialist, his freekicks and his crosses are second to none. He’s scored some fine freekicks over these years. A clinical finisher , he’s also good at shooting from range and does take his chances when given time and space , be it on his favored right foot or his left.
Susaeta in action in La Liga
Susaeta is equally a provider and a goalscorer. Being a natural winger, he’s always on the lookout for a killer pass , picking out a teammate via a cutback or laying off someone for a shot. His passes in the final third are very accurate as well. His pace , dribbling ability and his quality crosses are some of the main assets on which the team depends upon.
Unlike many players who are often criticized are for not fulfilling their defensive part , Susaeta does track back from time to time and is not afraid of making a tackle or two. The 2011-12 campaign proved out to be his best season with 13 goals and 15 assists. So far this season , he has 5 goals and 7 assists to his name in all competitions. The hallmark of a consistent player are his steady contributions across all competitions and Susaeta is definitely that.
In the summer of 2012 , Susaeta was linked to many clubs like Arsenal ,Manchester united and Chelsea as he was out of contract the following year. The feeling in Spain was that he was going to leave for pastures anew , but he signed a contract extension after a few months. It would’ve been brilliant to see a player of his quality in the Premier league but it just wasn’t written in the script. Though , you never know what the future holds…
At 26 years of age , he’s a gem of a player entering the peak of his powers. El Estilete is rightly considered as a quality Attacking Midfielder in Spain and his perfomances certainly justify that.
