Athletic Bilbao right-back still up for grabs as Gorosabel makes case after Osasuna display
Athletic Bilbao right-back remains unsettled as Valverde weighs Areso, Gorosabel and Lekue; Gorosabel’s performance vs Osasuna strengthens his case. Now.
Ernesto Valverde faces a persistent selection puzzle at Athletic Bilbao with the right-back spot yet to have a definitive owner this season. The Athletic Bilbao right-back role has seen regular rotation between Oier Areso, Ander Gorosabel and Yuri Berchiche’s successor Lekue, with occasional experiments using central defender Vivian in wide positions. Gorosabel’s convincing outing against Osasuna has added fresh momentum to his fight for sustained minutes and sharpened the debate ahead of a key fixture against Atlético.
Right-back role remains unsettled at Athletic Bilbao
Valverde has alternated among three primary options for the right flank throughout the campaign, creating an unsettled environment for a position that often requires continuity. Areso has accumulated the most minutes at right-back, while Gorosabel and Lekue have been rotated in response to form, opponent and tactical needs. The intermittent use of Vivian as a makeshift right-back has further underlined the coach’s willingness to adapt personnel when required.
That lack of a clear first choice means the role could reach the end of the season without a settled starter if no single player secures consistent performances. For a team that values structure and defensive balance, instability on the right side raises questions about cohesion and game management in both league and cup fixtures. Valverde’s selections will therefore be scrutinized for how they affect Athletic’s defensive record and attacking width.
Gorosabel’s display against Osasuna strengthens his case
Against Osasuna, Gorosabel produced one of his more convincing performances of the campaign, neutralizing a lively Victor Muñoz and contributing to Athletic’s overall rhythm. Observers noted his aggression on duels and his capacity to read Osasuna’s attacking triggers, attributes that helped blunt a dangerous opponent. The full-back combined defensive resolve with measured forward forays, giving his side balance down the right.
After the match Gorosabel acknowledged the internal competition but stressed his focus on performance and availability. “Let’s see if the coach continues to give me the opportunity,” he said, indicating both ambition and acceptance of the team’s rotation policy. That public posture, paired with a strong showing on the pitch, makes a compelling argument for more sustained inclusion.
Rotation and competition between Areso, Gorosabel and Lekue
Oier Areso has featured most frequently at right-back this season, justified by a string of starts that allowed him to build match sharpness and position familiarity. His presence in the squad reflects the club’s original investment and trust in his profile as a modern full-back capable of both defensive duties and positional support in build-up. Areso’s earlier exclusion from a recent matchday squad, however, reminded observers that form and fitness remain decisive in Valverde’s plans.
Lekue’s role has been intermittent but important, with starts against teams such as Villarreal highlighting his tactical utility and experience. The former Alavés and Real Sociedad player offers reliability and a measured approach to defensive responsibilities, traits that often convince a coach when the balance of the side must be preserved. That depth has allowed Valverde to vary match plans while keeping pressure on all candidates to deliver consistently.
Valverde’s selection dilemma ahead of the Atlético fixture
With a crucial match against Atlético approaching, Valverde has the three right-sided options fully available and faces a tactical choice shaped by the opponent’s strengths. Atlético’s disciplined defensive structure and quick counters will test any full-back’s positional discipline and recovery speed, making the selection for the right flank a strategic decision rather than a simple rotation call. Valverde must weigh who offers the best blend of defensive resilience, physical matchups and link-up play against a high-caliber opponent.
Choosing Gorosabel after his Osasuna performance signals that current form is a key criterion for the coach, yet Valverde has previously shown a tendency to rotate based on opponent profile and training impressions. The manager’s final call will reveal whether he prioritizes the momentum of a hot run of form or the consistency of a player who has logged the most minutes. Either choice will carry consequences for Athletic’s tactical balance and attacking width.
Areso transfer background and financial context
Areso’s arrival at Athletic carried expectation and a clear financial outlay, with the club activating a €12 million release clause to secure his services from Osasuna. That investment underscored Athletic’s belief in Areso’s long-term potential and created an implicit responsibility for the coaching staff to integrate him into the first-team picture. Transfers with this level of expenditure often increase scrutiny on playing time, but Athletic’s steady rotation suggests a measured approach to managing the asset.
The transfer context adds another layer to the internal competition, as coaches and supporters alike consider both performance and the club’s strategic decisions when evaluating minutes. In such situations, a player’s form on the pitch, training consistency and adaptability to tactical instructions become essential determinants of whether an expensive signing fulfils expectations. For Areso, maintaining his physical and mental sharpness will be crucial to justify investment and secure more permanent status.
Tactical implications and defensive stability for Athletic
How Valverde resolves the right-back question will materially affect Athletic’s tactical shape in upcoming matches and, by extension, their defensive stability across the season’s run-in. A settled right-back can offer predictable overlaps and defensive cover that benefit the whole defensive line, while rotation can introduce variability that opponents may exploit. Athletic’s approach must balance short-term match demands with the long-term need for a reliable defensive structure.
The presence of internal candidates with differing profiles — Areso’s minutes and investment, Gorosabel’s recent momentum, and Lekue’s experience — allows Valverde to tailor his selection to each match without being forced into a one-size-fits-all choice. That flexibility is an asset but also a test of the coach’s ability to maintain continuity in other defensive areas. How the right-back role is managed in the coming weeks will indicate whether Athletic can reconcile rotation with the need for defensive consistency.
Athletic’s coaching staff will continue to monitor performances, training indicators and opposition threats as they decide who will shoulder right-back duties in the Liga and beyond.
The contest for Athletic Bilbao’s right-back spot remains a live story, and Gorosabel’s recent showing has only intensified the competition at a critical juncture of the season.
