Athletic Club star Oihan Sancet is a problem too many for many a defence

There’s an ironic humor in the fact that the most elusive player for Athletic Club’s defenders is a 6’2” (188cm) man with a mustache and noticeable build. Despite being the bulkiest player in the Basque team, Oihan Sancet manages to glide into the box, often going unnoticed until it’s too late.

Last season, Sancet’s contribution—6 goals and 6 assists—was overshadowed by the spotlight on Nico and Inaki Williams. But this year, Sancet has outshone both, leading Athletic’s goal tally with 8 goals. Only Inaki Williams has more overall goal contributions. Aside from them, only Osasuna’s Ante Budimir has outperformed him in La Liga. Sancet’s appearances around the box are brief but impactful—he knows exactly when to make his move, often leaving defenders wondering where he came from.

Ernesto Valverde’s tactical insight last year saw Gorka Guruzeta become an unexpected asset, freeing Sancet to move beyond him. This season, with even more freedom, Sancet has become a nightmare for defenses.

Athletic’s attacking prowess lies in the synergy of their key players. Inaki Williams stretches defenses with his speed, while Nico Williams becomes increasingly elusive and intelligent with the ball. Together, they create the perfect space for Sancet to exploit. His timing is key—he waits for the right moment to strike.

This was evident in Athletic’s victories over Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano, where Sancet’s trio of goals earned his team six crucial points. In the Basque derby, Sancet found space and soared above a much smaller defender to score. Later, against Rayo, he drifted into an unmarked position to convert a cross from Nico Williams, sealing the win with a brilliant finish.

Despite playing through ankle pain, Sancet’s form has been exceptional, impressing Valverde. “He’s in a great moment, making a significant effort despite playing with pain,” Valverde commented after the win against Rayo.

This season, Sancet is outperforming his expected goals by 2.4, averaging a goal every 110 minutes, including his Europa League appearances. His impressive shot efficiency places him among Spain’s top performers.

His journey from a deeper midfielder to a goal-scoring threat is remarkable. Despite his size, his ability to glide through midfield and create space evokes memories of players like Steven Gerrard. His composure on the ball and ability to exploit defensive mistakes highlight his intelligence and deceptive quickness.

What stands out most about Sancet is his unique approach: unlike many midfielders, he doesn’t crave constant possession. Instead, he thrives on making decisive, one-touch contributions at the right moment, epitomizing what Athletic Club need from him this season.