Aihen Muñoz

Key strength: Pace and recovery

Overlapping full-back

In a Real Sociedad side enduring a turbulent campaign—languishing 10th in La Liga with just three points from their last five matches—Aihen Muñoz has become an island of consistency amid the storm. The 27-year-old Basque left-back has featured in all nine league outings, amassing 720 minutes of diligent service while maintaining his position as Imanol Alguacil's trusted outlet on the left flank. Though his stat line shows 0 goals and 0 assists, Muñoz's €5 million valuation tells a different story—one of defensive reliability and tactical discipline. Operating as an overlapping full-back, his recovery pace has repeatedly neutralized opposition wingers, freeing creative hub Brais Méndez to orchestrate attacks rather than track back. Those two yellow cards betray a competitive edge, the necessary aggression of a defender refusing to yield ground. While La Real's attack splutters and results disappoint, Muñoz continues the unsung work of containment and progression. In a squad where Sergio Gómez lurks as competition, the Basque native offers something increasingly precious: week-in, week-out dependability. Not every contribution appears on the scoresheet—but in San Sebastián's choppy waters, Muñoz's stability might be exactly what keeps them afloat.