Mikel San Jose has developed into a mainstay of the Athletic Bilbao defence this season and the club’s impressive form has meant that there have been a number of opportunities to watch San Jose in action.
Although San Sebastian is a difficult ground for the top sides to visit, the game against Madrid was San Jose’s toughest test of the season thus far. Ronaldo and he who must not be named have been flying of late.
Those who remember San Jose’s performances for the reserves and under 18s won’t be surprised to hear that he remains composed on the ball and his distribution is excellent. He takes most of the free kicks from deep and put a couple of balls into the box which troubled the Madrid defence.
San Jose doesn’t have much pace but he does read the game well. The moment that really stood out was when a cute pass in behind the defence and Ronaldo one on one with the keeper. San Jose dropped back and put enough pressure on him to ensure his shot went high and wide.
The Bilbao defence is well organised and San Jose was a key part of the defensive line knowing when to push out and when to drop deeper.
The young lad is good in the air and – at 6′ 1″ is taller than most centrebacks at Liverpool. Bilbao mark zonally and employ it reasonably well. Although he doesn’t have much beef on him, MSJ is a commanding aerial presence and has scored a couple of goals this season as well.
There are rumours that Bilbao have an option to make his loan deal permanent. In a recent interview San Jose said that he was focused on taking each game at a time and playing for his place; wise words.
I don’t know if San Jose wants to stay in Spain – or if he has what it takes to succeed in the Premiership. But his aerial strength, composure and Reading of the game are all things that Liverpool fans look for in a centrebacks and – in his early 20s – MSJ has plenty of time to improve. But at a straight choice between Kelly and San Jose, I’d probably still go for Kelly.
At the very least it should deliver Benitez a tidy return for the young man.