Athletic Club’s Persistent Striker Woes: A Glimmer of Hope in New Signing Javier Marton
The enduring struggle of Athletic Club to secure effective forwards is poised to resurface this season, yet a potential solution might be on the horizon.
In the recent transfer window, the club acquired Javier Marton, who held the distinction of being Real Sociedad B’s top scorer in Primera RFEF. Initially intended for inclusion in their B team, Bilbao Athletic, Marton’s impressive performance over the season has prompted consideration for his involvement with the first team.
Despite facing competition from the likes of Asier Villalibre, Gorka Guruzeta, Raul Garcia, and Inaki Williams for the coveted number nine position, Marton has showcased his potential. Notably, neither of the natural choices, Guruzeta and Villalibre, managed to find the net in preseason matches. In contrast, Marton remarkably netted three goals and contributed an assist.
Diario AS reports that Athletic Club plans to retain Marton within the squad until the Christmas period, assigning him a first-team jersey number (24). Given the team’s urgent need for viable options and their current dearth of choices, it would not be surprising to witness Ernesto Valverde tapping into Marton’s capabilities.
While Guruzeta demonstrated clinical finishing when presented with opportunities last season, he also displayed periods of inconsistency. Villalibre, on the other hand, is known for his diligence but has often struggled to convert his efforts into tangible rewards. In this context, Marton holds aspirations of stepping into the shoes of Aritz Aduriz as the focal point of Athletic Club’s attacking line.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Javier Marton as he strives to alleviate Athletic Club’s long-standing striker conundrum.
