Takefusa Kubo: World Cup One to Watch
Excitement is starting to build all over the world of football as the 2022 FIFA World Cup is mere days away.
For the players, such huge tournaments are the biggest stages they can get to showcase their talents. Nowhere does this ring truer than for under-23 talents.
Therefore, we will be taking a look at a number of young talents who are primed to impress in Qatar this winter.
Today Thom Harris joins us to discuss Takefusa Kubo.
For a player who is still just 21 years of age, Takefusa Kubo has already had quite the career.
105 LaLiga appearances, across four Spanish clubs, having spent four years on Barcelona’s books, and three on Real Madrid’s. It’s a career that has been molded by expectations. Some, perhaps far too high.
Nonetheless, while Japan’s poster boy hasn’t shot to the top of the footballing world quite yet, we’ve seen tweaks to his game this season, and an evolution of his speed dribbler profile, that implies encouraging adaptation.
An eagerness to learn, a desire to help his teammates, and an insatiable appetite for the ball, have all allowed for a steady, sensible rise up the Spanish ranks.
From Mallorca and Getafe - sides who wanted bursts of impact, his superstar quality, and his match-winning magic - to Real Sociedad - who need his control, vision, and intelligence - Take Kubo is evolving from a player of moments to a player of rhythm.
Without completely taming that uncontainable pace and explosivity, something balanced is being crafted from a fizzling ball of energy.
Positional Fluidity at Real Sociedad
Operating in what would be best described as a 4-1-3-2, Real Sociedad have achieved tremendous balance in the middle of the field so far this campaign.
With Brais Méndez often looking to drift inside from the left, and Mikel Merino constantly creating passing angles for his teammates, both David Silva and Kubo are given freedom to roam, and create passing triangles wherever possible.