When Luis Enrique whittles down his Spain squad from 55 to 26 ahead of the World Cup, Mikel Merino could consider himself very unfortunate if he does not have a seat on a chartered, Qatari-bound flight to show for his magnificent start to the La Liga season.
On Wednesday night, as Champions League-chasing Real Sociedad beat nine-man Sevilla 2-1 in Andalusia, Merino performed a more-than passable Andres Iniesta impression from central midfield; his best performance of an already excellent campaign coming at the perfect time.
The timing and the precision of the slick through ball which set up Alexander Sorloth’s opener was a thing of beauty; sublime in it’s simplicity. His second assist of the evening was even easier on the eye. A quite sumptuous reverse pass. One which bamboozled he Sevilla defence and served up Sociedad’s winning goal on a silver platter for Brais Mendez.
In fact, no one in La Liga has more assists in 2022/23 than one of Europe’s most underrated playmakers; a man who continues to go from strength-to-strength after being sold by Newcastle United for just £10 million in 2018.
Former Newcastle United man Mikel Merino shining in La Liga
“I wish he would take them,” Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil said when asked whether Enrique should hand Merino a spot in his World Cup squad.
“I think ‘Lucho’ is aware of the great team we have. He knows us very well and will surely make a great list. The more that go (from Sociedad), the better. (We have) great players and they’ve been showing it in recent years.”
Merino had certainly his moments during that short-lived stay at Newcastle; his elegance and artistry in possession catching the eye before Sociedad triggered the £10 million release clause in his St James’ Park contract.
He continues to take his game to a whole new level in La Liga, however, and a place in Spain’s World Cup roster would be a fitting reward for a player who deserves to showcase his defence-splitting talents on the biggest of stages.
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