Zubimendi has played 236 times for Real Sociedad – his only club to date – and scored 10 goals.

But he is not a goalscorer, because he is primarily a defensive midfielder.

Real Sociedad played several formations last season, though mostly it was a 4-1-4-1 with Zubimendi as the pivot.

In La Liga in 2024-25, he ranked in the top five of central midfielders for successful passes, successful long passes, progressive passes, touches, tackles, interceptions, aerial duels won and distance of completed upfield passes (8.5km).

“His passing might sound simple, but he generally chooses well the one pass to do,” said Spanish journalist Guillem Balague.

“He hardly ever loses the ball and that helps with fluidity and team confidence. He reads the game very well, without being the fastest midfielder – he has the puzzle of the team in his head.

“He is lately more up to driving with the ball and even getting into the box, and he would do that if he feels his team-mates can cover for him.

“But his main job is to help with build-up, sometimes going at the level of the centre-backs – make the game fluid, find the man with space, push the team forward, and do the same when it is the matter of applying pressure.

“He is very clever when it comes to deciding when to go or when not to go. A team player, a quiet leader. A key cog in the machine.”