Jon Gorrotxategi

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

In a season of mounting frustration for Real Sociedad—languishing in 10th place with a miserable return of just one point from their last five matches—Jon Gorrotxategi has emerged as Imanol Alguacil's immovable foundation. The 24-year-old Basque defensive midfielder has been virtually ever-present, amassing an impressive 2,281 minutes across 32 appearances while chaos swirls around him at the Reale Arena. While his modest output of 1 goal and 3 assists rarely grabs headlines, Gorrotxategi's true influence lies deeper. Operating as a deep-lying playmaker with 70-rated passing—the highest in his skillset—he conducts proceedings with metronomic precision, his intelligent distribution liberating more explosive talents to surge forward. Those seven yellow cards hint at a fierce competitor beneath his composed exterior, a player unafraid to disrupt opposition rhythm when necessary. Valued at €25 million and appreciating, Gorrotxategi embodies modern football's hunger for complete defensive midfielders—players who dominate transitions while others claim the glory. As Sociedad desperately seek to reverse their alarming slide, their unassuming number 4 continues proving that stability starts from the base.