Few expected one of the brightest attacking and defensive talents of this La Liga season to be Pervis Estupiñán.
The left-back spent last season earning promotion with RCD Mallorca on loan but moved on to another newly promoted side, CA Osasuna, and has been a hit this campaign.
Impressing with his offensive threat whilst showing defensive responsibility, Estupiñán has caught the eye both in Spain and abroad.
He has also caught the eye on an international level, earning a first cap for Ecuador in October, given his fine form.
This tactical analysis will provide a scout report on the Ecuadorian defender, currently on loan from Premier League side Watford, evaluating his performances in Copa del Rey and La Liga for Los Rojillos.
By providing an analysis of how the he fits into Jagoba Arrasates tactics, one of La Ligas brightest talents can be understood.
Pervis Estupiñán Role
One of the most important features of Estupiñáns style of play is his engine.
With incredible stamina, the Ecuadorian is capable of covering immense ground up and down the left flank, allowing him to be such an active player in both defensive and offensive strategies.
The importance of Estupiñán to Jagoba Arrasates formations cannot be understated, given the reliance of this side on their wide play, particularly down the left.
As can be seen from his heat map, the player on loan from Watford primarily sticks to the wide areas, will not be found cutting inside and is rarely caught covering centrally in defensive terms.
Instead, he will stick to the byline, both when defending and attacking.
With Osasuna packing central areas and preferring to give freedom to few players out wide, this is possible and easy to achieve with the central areas so well-stocked that there is no need for him to drift centrally at any time.
Pervis Estupiñán Heat Map
Estupiñán is given almost free reign down this left flank, with Kike Barja often switching flanks or drifting into a more central role when in possession and rarely providing much defensive cover.
This means that on many occasions, he is given the entire wing to himself.
This suits Pervis Estupiñáns
