LITTLE over 6 weeks ago in La Liga, Getafe took on Athletic Bilbao in a match that was notable for one thing; a young lad, aged just 19 years and 20 days, was making his 100th senior appearance for the Basque giants.
That lad was Iker Muniain – and he’s said to be back on Liverpool’s radar.
Damien Comolli’s recent comments, in which he referred to ‘the project’, indicated that Liverpool’s potential targets have been identified and contacted, of which some have agreed to join the Reds in their quest to regain their position at the top of the European Club food-chain.
One of these potential targets is said to be the Spanish whizz-kid, who was originally identified and linked with the club back in the days of Rafael Benitez, as the young winger/forward broke into Bilbao’s first team.
As soon as Liverpool claimed their first silverware in 6 years on Sunday (guaranteeing European football next season) Comolli stated that some of Europe’s hottest properties are interested in a move to Anfield – and they don’t come much hotter than the young Muniain, who was recently called up to the Spanish senior squad for the first time (partly at the expense of ex-hero Torres).
The Basque prodigy has made a habit of breaking records in his fledgling career, ever since he made his debut as a 16-year old (somewhat ironically) against Swiss outfit Young Boys in a Europa League qualifier back in 2009. In doing so he became Athletic Club’s youngest ever player. Was he fazed? If he was it didn’t show. His first involvement saw him skip around two challenges before finding a team-mate wearing the famous red and white stripes. What marked him out from the crowd was his touch, control and low centre of gravity when running with the ball – traits that would go on to signify his style for the next 3 seasons. However this was aligned with unusual physical strength which belied his age – and the inevitable comparisons of a ‘Spanish Wayne Rooney’ rang around Europe’s media outlets.
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Athletic lost that game 0-1 but a week later Muniain scored in a 2-1 win, thus becoming their youngest ever goalscorer in a competitive match aged 16 years 7 months and 18 days young. One week, two club records broken. When he netted in a La Liga match against Real Valladolid later that season aged at 16 years and 289 days, he became the youngest ever goalscorer in the history of Spain’s top-flight.
As the records fell, his continued rise took place as did the transformation from impact right-winger to first-team regular. Now employed with the slight adjustment of playing a little deeper and in more central areas of the pitch, it has allowed for more freedom and involvement, bringing Muniain’s playmaking skills to the fore – and even comparisons to Lionel Messi.
His flexibility in these specific positions are areas in which Liverpool are short of quality – the right-hand side of midfield and ‘in the hole’, where unlocking tight defences – particularly at Anfield this season – has proved troublesome. There’s no doubting he has the technical and physical attributes that would fit in with Comolli’s plans, but perhaps the major link to ‘the project’ is his age, something which falls perfectly in line with F.S.G’s original philosophy of buying the best youngsters available.
Muniain, or Bart (as he’s affectionately known as, due to his apparent Simpson’s character likeness), may yet be soon swapping Springfield for Anfield.
Muniain in action (apologies for the ‘music’!)
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I also heard of him when Rafa took an interest. From the stuff ive seen of him, he looks quality! Would represent a real coup in the market if we could prise him away from Bilbao
I’m impressed.
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