The Spanish national football team is full of young, talented footballers from all across the globe. After the golden generation of players earned them three titles, the focus has now shifted to the new young guns. Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, is building a young squad with some experienced players. The team is preparing for UEFA Euro 2024 and needs the most in-form and experienced players.
One of the players who got a recent call-up for the Spanish national team is Granada’s forward, Bryan Zaragoza. Having won the Spanish second division with the team in the 2022–23 season, Zaragoza has made an excellent start to his first season in the LaLiga. His side is currently sitting in the relegation zone and struggling for points. Let’s take a look at why this 22-year-old got an international call-up and whether he can save his team from getting relegated.
First season in top division
Bryan Zaragoza is a versatile winger who can play on both flanks. The forward likes to run at the defenders and beat them with his skills. He averages 9.74 dribbles per 90 minutes and has a 46.7% success rate. The dribble attempts are on the higher side for this youngster. These dribbles have often allowed him to get into decent positions to cross a ball. He averages 4.16 crosses per 90 minutes, with most of them landing on the edge of the six-yard box. Zaragoza’s only assist of the season came from a cross-delivered into the six-yard box.
Granada relies a lot on this youngster to take the ball into dangerous areas. Bryan Zaragoza starts his progressive runs in the middle, and these runs end in the final third. He averages 4.5 progressive runs per 90 minutes and often penetrates the opposition penalty box after beating a defender.
Bryan Zaragoza has netted five goals in the current season, and this has been the most impressive thing about the youngster. His team has scored 15 goals, and Zaragoza has contributed six goals in 693 minutes spent on the field.
The winger likes to cut inside and make space to take shots. He has targeted the near post for shots attempted from the left side and the far post for shots attempted from the right side.
The above pizza chart compares the stats of the youngster with other left-wingers in all the top five leagues. Zaragoza has an excellent rank for attempting dribbles, goal contributions and expected goal contributions.
Bryan Zaragoza is an upcoming talent in Spain. Having such a high percentile rank in just his first season at the top level is what might have impressed the Spanish manager. He has made his Spain debut against Scotland and will look to make it to the Spanish squad for the Euro 2024. However, his first task will be to lead Granada to safety.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine