Why It Is Time for Ernesto Valverde to Hand Unai Lopez the Keys to the Midfield

Ander Herrera has left the building. The Basque midfielder exited the Basque Country during the summer to join Manchester United, and his former side Athletic Club Bilbao is still trying to recover from the loss.

While Herrera was not the most vital part of Athletic’s brilliant campaign last season, he was very important, and his exit has left a big hole in the midfield. The Basque club has struggled since the start of the season to find their form of last year, but they still lack what Herrera provided—a creative playmaker that is willing to work hard off the ball.

Of course, losing the 25-year-old was going to be tough. He is a world-class midfielder and was a big part of Ernesto Valverde’s scheme in Bilbao. However, his exit left an open door for Athletic youth stars to have their chance at the playmaker role.

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Starlets like Unai Lopez, Ager Aketxe and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (who is on loan at Real Zaragoza) are all attacking midfielders that thrive as playmakers and are just what Athletic needs to replace Herrera. However, the chances just aren't there right now.

So far, Valverde has relied heavily on Benat to take over where Herrera once played. No matter how hard he tries, though, he just isn’t the type of player who can succeed in that position.

Benat has been, and always will be, a deep-lying playmaker. He loves to sit in front of the defense and pull the strings with long passes. But that isn’t the type of game that is played at the San Mames.

Los Leones play a refined style of Basque football focused on constant pressure and outworking the opponent. Every player is asked to run a lot and be willing to defend all over the pitch.

Again, Benat’s strengths do not fit this idea. He tends to shy away from defending, and while he can make deadly passes, he doesn’t play fast enough to succeed as an attacking playmaker.

It isn’t Benat’s fault, mind you. His game just isn’t built for the playmaker role. He can certainly be a success playing in Athletic’s double pivot, but pushing higher up the pitch just isn’t going to do the job.

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That is where Unai Lopez comes in.

Lopez made the switch to Athletic’s youth academy, la cantera de Lezama, from Real Sociedad a few years ago and has been turning heads ever since. Though still only 18, he has the makings of a future star, and the time has come for Valverde to let him run the midfield.

The Basque midfielder is exactly what Athletic needs right now. He is quick and has the vision of a veteran midfielder. His passing ability always makes him standout on the pitch, but he is never afraid of getting dirty either.

Lopez is an explosive player who catches your eye every time he has the ball. His movement and ability to orchestrate play constantly causes problems for opponents, and he can also prove to be a threat himself when the opportunity arrives.

In truth, Lopez is a lot like Atletico Madrid product Oliver Torres. Both are rather short, but play with explosiveness and the ability to create chances out of thin air with their passing abilities. They are calm on the ball and much more mature than other players their age.

The 18-year-old has already made a name for himself in Spain’s youth ranks and it is only a matter of time before he becomes a star at the San Mames. Perhaps he should be given that chance now.

The Lezama product has featured in a few matches this season, being one of the best players on the pitch each time. He fits the system perfectly and is exactly what the team is lacking with Herrera gone. So why isn’t he seeing more time?

The answer may be his age. At just 18, and with so much potential, Valverde and the club may be trying to be cautious so as to not put too much pressure on him. Yet with the club in the form they are in now and Lopez’s ability to make a big difference, it may be time to throw caution to the wind.

The truth of the matter is that Unai Lopez is ready to take control of the playmaker position in Athletic’s lineup. He has all the tools needed to be a success for the first team and the time has come for Valverde to let him have the keys.

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He may not be Ander Herrera, in fact he and the Manchester United man are very different players. To be fair, Lezama product Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, who is currently on loan at Real Zaragoza, is the closest thing Athletic have to another Herrera. But Lopez is the most overall talented midfielder at the club right now and needs to be given a fair chance to earn the starting role.

It is clear that the Benat experiment just isn’t working. He isn’t the right player for the job, but Lopez is the perfect fit for the current need. Something has got to change and quickly. It makes sense that the club wants to be careful with such a young gem, but sometimes age is just a number.

Losing Ander Herrera was a big blow for Athletic, but it doesn't have to be the end of the world. Fans have been waiting a long time for the day that they would see Unai Lopez at the San Mames. He is the answer to the club's midfield problems and could be the player who helps the Basques continue their upward trend under Ernesto Valverde.

Should Unai Lopez start more for Athletic Club? Where does Benat fit in Valverde's squad? Leave your thoughts and comments below!