Miguel Gutierrez; remember the name.
The 20-year-old left-back impressed during his rise through the Real Madrid youth squad and after making his mark when given the opportunity to present to the senior side, he has earned the right to be counted as a Los Blancos player.
And 2021/22 could be his year to break through and make a name for himself globally.
Gutierrez has always been a confidant of those in Madrid and got to strut his things for the club in the later stages of La Liga season 2020/21. Hungary, with the help of injuries to Ferland Mendy and Marcelo, played six of Real’s last seven matches and made a full professional debut in a 4-1 trashing of Granada – a game in which he produced a moment of pure brilliance.
Gutierrez proved his worth as a modern defender, unlocking a stiff Granada back line with a sensational eye of the needle, chipped through for Luka Modric to break the deadlock.
Luka Modric gets a breakthrough for Madrid! ⚪
Which assist from Miguel Gutiérrez at his first LaLiga start? pic.twitter.com/KFOXahrbwo
– Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) May 13, 2021
It was a glimpse of what those who knew him for a while have seen during his young career. Gutierrez fits the form of Los Blancos; he is deadly creative, technically gifted and loves to attack.
In addition to demonstrating visionary passing on the big stage, Gutierrez has previously recorded impressive numbers. For example, during the UEFA Youth League 2019/20, the hill struck four times in ten matches – even hacked the decisive goal in the final when Real Madrid lifted the youth equivalent in the Champions League.
He is a front-footed, artistic defender who makes a huge impact in forward-looking areas – something that Real Madrid fans love to see. But that’s not all he is.
The 20-year-old never sacrifices those behind him in search of the wonderful little moments. His reading of the game and defensive ability, which complements his natural gift for attacking games, make him a potential star in his position.
While he only got 314 minutes of league play from Zinedine Zidane last season, the young defender made them count. According to FBRef, Gutierrez managed 1.71 interceptions per 90, ranked fourth among Real players and more than any other defender, while making two blocks per 90 – the fifth most at the club.
Miguel Gutierrez squirts the play / Denis Doyle / Getty Images
In both cases, neither Mendy nor Marcelo were ranked above Gutierrez – although of course we have to remember that they played many more minutes. Yet it is obvious that Gutierrez, as described by Zizou, is “phenomenal” and a star in the beginning.
While Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment as manager will mean a new face in charge this term, no expert is needed to conclude that Marcelo is well past his prime and that Gutierrez should be considered a suitable back-up for Mendy on the left-back – with given the quiet nature of Los Blanco’s summer transfer window so far.
The young Spaniard may not find a star yet, but 2021/22 may be his time to break through and cement his status as a Real Madrid player.
