Real Sociedad’s Player Participation in LaLiga: A Statistical Overview

Real Sociedad currently has only three of its nine foreign players among the top eleven athletes in terms of minutes played in LaLiga: Jon Mikel Aranburu, Duje Caleta-Car, and Take Kubo. In contrast, five foreign players are among the ten with the least participation: Sadiq Umar, Yangel Herrera, Orri Óskarsson, Arsen Zakharyan, and Luka Sucic. While some are sidelined due to injuries, others are struggling with their performance. According to the club’s philosophy, these players are expected to make a significant impact.

Only two players have participated in all 1,080 minutes of LaLiga thus far: Álex Remiro and Igor Zubeldia. Mikel Oyarzabal follows closely with 1,050 minutes (97.2%) after being substituted in two matches. Following them in terms of minutes played are Jon Mikel Aramburu (83.7%), Jon Gorrotxategi (81.2%), Ander Barrenetxea (77.7%), Sergio Gómez (76.2%), Duje Caleta-Car (64.6%), Brais Méndez (61.2%), Take Kubo (52.1%), and Pablo Marín (49.9%).

Among the most utilized players, five are homegrown talents, though Marín is seeing reduced involvement since the arrivals of Carlos Soler and Yangel Herrera. Additionally, Duje Caleta-Car has recently lost his starting position to Jon Martín, resulting in only two foreign players being present in the latest regular starting eleven, pending the return of the Venezuelan.

Injuries have limited the former Girona player to just 90 minutes on the field, representing 8.3% of total playtime, thereby placing him among the least utilized players. The least appearing player is Unai Marrero, who has yet to debut in domestic competition, followed by Sadiq Umar (3.7%), Álvaro Odriozola (5.2%), Mikel Goti (6%), Jon Karrikaburu (6.4%), Yangel Herrera (8.3%), Aritz Elustondo (8.7%), Óskarsson (10.3%), Sucic (12%), and Zakharyan (13.8%).

Yangel Herrera and Óskarsson are expected to see increased participation once they recover from injuries, and Sadiq Umar has shown promise during recent play, particularly in Elche. However, Zakharyan and Sucic face more challenges in securing playing time at this moment.

Among both the most and least utilized players, Beñat Turrientes fluctuates in Sergio’s plans (24.1%), while Jon Martín is gaining momentum (33.3%). Aihen is currently outperformed by Sergio Gómez (35.8%), Carlos Soler is increasing his presence (41.7%), and Gonçalo Guedes has seen more playtime with Kubo’s injury (44.9%).