Yusi at Alavés: What to Expect from the 20-Year-Old in His Second LaLiga Season
Alavés’ 20-year-old signing Yusi faces a pivotal second season as the club looks to convert early promise into consistent performances in LaLiga.
Yusi arrived in Vitoria last summer after Alavés paid around €3 million for 50 percent of his rights, and the Moroccan fullback’s first year in Spain’s top flight served as a mixed introduction to senior football. The player made 25 appearances across spells under both Eduardo Coudet and Quique Sánchez Flores, showing attacking intent but also revealing defensive areas in need of improvement. With one assist and intermittent minutes late in the campaign, Yusi’s development is now a priority as Alavés prepare for another season in Mendizorroza. Club officials and coaching staff expect the pace and verticality that caught attention at Real Madrid’s academy to translate into a more reliable all-round game.
Transfer background and contract situation
Alavés invested close to €3 million to acquire half of Yusi’s economic rights from Real Madrid, reflecting a shared belief in his potential value. The deal included a multi-year contract that binds the player to the club while giving the club time to develop him into a first-team regular. Sporting director Sergio Fernández monitored Yusi closely during his time in the Real Madrid cantera and pushed for the signing because he fits the profile Alavés target: young, high-ceiling, and technically accustomed to possession football. That commitment signals the club views Yusi as a strategic long-term asset rather than a short-term fix.
The transaction structure — purchasing 50 percent of the rights — also indicates the selling club retains an interest in the player’s future market value. For Alavés, this creates an incentive to accelerate Yusi’s growth to maximize both sporting returns and potential resale income. The four-year length of the contract provides the coaching staff a runway to work on tactical nuances and physical development. It also gives Yusi the stability to focus on adaptation and consistency without immediate transfer pressure.
Season one review: playing time, strengths and limitations
Across 25 appearances last season, Yusi displayed clear strengths when tasked with advancing the ball and supporting the attack down the flank. His vertical runs and willingness to carry the ball into the final third created opportunities and forced opposition defenses to adjust. Those moments underscored why Alavés were prepared to invest in him during the transfer window.
Yet the statistics and match reports from his debut LaLiga campaign also highlighted shortcomings that limited his overall impact. He registered a single assist, a number that underlines the need for greater final-third decision-making and delivery precision. More pressing were defensive lapses in his own penalty area and struggles in one-on-one duels, issues that often led to substitution or tactical readjustments by the coaches. The combination of promising attacking instincts and defensive inconsistency defined a season of learning rather than consolidation.
Coaching approaches and tactical expectations
Under Eduardo Coudet and later Quique Sánchez Flores, Yusi was deployed in roles that alternated between fullback and more advanced wing-back responsibilities depending on the opponent. Both systems demanded stamina, positional awareness, and the ability to transition quickly from attack to defense. That rotating tactical context contributed to fluctuating minutes and variable responsibilities on matchdays.
Going into the coming season, Alavés’ coaching staff are likely to refine Yusi’s role to better suit his strengths while addressing weaknesses. If deployed higher up the pitch, he will be encouraged to exploit space and combine with midfielders to produce chances. If used as a deeper fullback, the emphasis will shift to maintaining defensive posture, positioning for counterattacks, and improving duel success rates. Clearer role definition should help Yusi build match rhythm and reduce the inconsistency that marked his first year.
Defensive weaknesses and targeted development plan
The primary area identified for improvement is defensive reliability inside Alavés’ penalty area and in isolated duels. Video analysis from last season shows moments where timing, body positioning, and physical presence left gaps that opponents could exploit. For a young fullback, these are common growing pains but they require structured correction to avoid recurring errors in high-pressure situations.
Alavés’ coaching team will likely prioritize a development program that combines tactical education with physical conditioning. Specific interventions could include drills on defensive stance and tackling technique, simulated one-on-one scenarios, and set-piece marking routines. Strength and conditioning work will aim to increase Yusi’s ability to withstand physical duels and recover quickly after forward runs. These steps are designed to make him a more complete defender without dulling the attacking instincts that make him valuable.
Technical and tactical improvements on the ball
Offensively, Yusi’s verticality and inclination to reach the final third were among the bright spots of his debut season. To convert that potential into tangible contributions, the focus must shift to end-product consistency — more accurate crosses, better timing of overlaps, and improved decision-making in the final pass. Incremental gains in these areas can significantly raise his assist numbers and overall offensive influence.
Training sessions will likely emphasize combinations with midfielders and forwards to create habitual understanding of movement and timing. Repetition of crossing under pressure and situational finishing from cut-backs can help him become more decisive. Tactical drills that simulate game tempo will also aid his transition from attack to defense, allowing him to exploit space without exposing his side defensively.
Club strategy and the long-term view for Yusi
Alavés’ decision to keep Yusi despite limited continuity in the season’s final stretch speaks to a broader strategy of investing in young talent for both sporting and financial returns. The club’s structure — combining a patient sporting department with short-term performance needs — favors gradual integration rather than immediate sale. This approach gives Yusi time to mature while allowing the club to safeguard its investment in the event his market value rises.
For the coaching staff, Yusi represents a balance between present squad needs and future planning. If he develops as expected, he could become a regular starter and a tradable asset that helps fund further recruitment. The club’s willingness to shoulder developmental risk reflects confidence both in the player’s underlying attributes and in the staff’s ability to accelerate his readiness for the demands of LaLiga.
Expectations for the upcoming season and squad dynamics
Competition for the fullback positions at Alavés will remain stiff, and Yusi will need to convert preseason chances into consistent performances to secure a regular role. The club may rotate him with more experienced defenders initially, allowing him to build match fitness and tactical understanding without exposing him to prolonged pressure. That pathway is common for young players making the jump to top-flight senior football.
Support from senior teammates and close communication with the coaching team will be crucial to his growth. Mentoring in defensive positioning, situational awareness, and match temperance can accelerate the learning curve. If Yusi responds to a targeted development plan with improved defensive solidity and sharper attacking end-product, he is poised to become an important contributor for Alavés both this season and beyond.
Looking ahead, Yusi’s second campaign at Alavés presents a clear test of progression, consistency, and adaptability. The club’s investment and the coaching staff’s confidence have placed him in a favorable position to make measurable improvements. If he addresses defensive shortcomings while refining his offensive decision-making, Yusi could transition from promising newcomer to dependable LaLiga fullback in the seasons to come.
