Real Sociedad achieved great things during the 2016/2017 campaign with a very thin squad. On the final day of last season, courtesy of goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Juanmi, Eusebio’s side wriggled into a league finish that would ensure their place in the group stage of the Europa League.
Interestingly, that shallow talent pool also gave birth to one of their brightest young talents of recent years: Alvaro Odriozola. Owing to an injury crisis at right back, with Carlos Martinez and Joseba Zaldua both finding it tough to maintain their fitness, La Real were forced to look to an alternative. One which had played extensively for their B team, spending much of his career progression deployed on the right wing, to which he won’t be returning.
Plenty is expected from contemporary full-backs. For many top teams and adventurous coaches, it is not enough to be able to contribute consistently to solely the defensive unit, with expansive systems demanding a certain level of polyvalence from certain personnel. Wing backs must exert their influence up and down the flank, offering as much in the opposition’s final third as they might while defending their own. Alvaro Odriozola is extremely capable offensively, without presenting a weak link when on the back foot.
The 21-year-old offers plenty of pace, to the point where Real Sociedad’s club shop have released some Odriozola-themed merchandise during the summer. The young right back is depicted as The Flash, testament to the acceleration he can offer and the damage that can be done when he is given the service to maraud forward on the overlap. His signature Instagram emoji: a rocket.
Odriozola is not the most imposing and stands at just 175cm tall, but his role doesn’t fundamentally require either trait. While sheer agility and quickness is an obvious plus point to his game, he isn’t lacking in awareness nor intelligence. It is incredibly difficult to escape Real Sociedad’s latest youth product in one-on-one situations, whether they be fought in an offensive or defensive sense.
A signature flourish of Odriozola’s game is reserved for his adventures to the byline. Although he is comfortable driving infield and into congested space, as shown in his rare minutes for Spain’s under-21 outfit this summer, his more notable contributions to Eusebio’s side have come from holding width and punishing opponents in behind. When he arrives at his linear destination at pace, there remains a composure and coolness to his play. He has the technical ability and first touch to set himself well, keeping his head up where possible, looking for the best outcome from a high-pressure situation. More often than not, the young Spaniard is able to showcase his awareness with a suitable cut back into the box.
In 15 LaLiga appearances last season, Odriozola managed four assists, and this should be the figure that continues to impress heading into both of the short and long-term future. Despite his impact when providing ammunition for Willian Jose, the Spanish youth international offers a balanced maturity in terms of deciding when to commit to the attack.
Pace and fearlessness characterise the Basque youngster’s game, and Real Sociedad appear to stand to benefit greatly from both attributes during the 2017/2018 season. Offensively, Odriozola is a real asset, but his speed and tenacity makes him a nuisance to beat when he has retreated into his own half.
The 21-year-old has already shown himself to be a well-rounded right back that has grabbed the attention of many of the continent’s greats, but his first full top-flight campaign needs to be navigated successfully before La Real’s very own ‘The Flash’ scoots off into the distance.
