The name Iván Fresneda is starting to make waves. This 18-year-old right-back from Real Valladolid has been turning heads with his performances in La Liga, despite his team’s struggles. His impressive form has not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund both reportedly considering bids for the young talent.
Fresneda’s journey in football began at Real Madrid’s La Fábrica academy, where he spent four years honing his skills. He then moved to lower-league side CD Leganés for two years before signing with Valladolid in 2020. His full debut came a year later, at the end of Valladolid’s promotion season from La Segunda.
With Valladolid back in La Liga this season, Fresneda has been a standout player, featuring in 22 senior games and representing Spain at both Under-18 and Under-19 levels. His performances have caught the eye of Europe’s top clubs, especially as Valladolid fights to avoid relegation.
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Fresneda’s game is characterized by his defensive prowess. Standing six feet tall, he combines strength and speed to great effect. He’s a strong tackler with excellent judgement, and his ability to close down space quickly and maintain superb positional awareness is remarkable for a player of his age. He averages 1.65 blocks per game and has won 61.7% of his tackles this season.
While he’s more defensively minded than many modern right-backs, Fresneda also contributes in the final third. He’s a competent crosser of the ball, and his passes into the box create two shooting chances per game on average. However, he’s not a prolific dribbler and is more likely to be tackled than to beat his man.
Despite his potential, Fresneda is yet to score a senior goal and hasn’t provided any assists in the league this season. However, he has created numerous knock-down opportunities, showing promise in his ability to deliver balls into the box.
Arsenal have reportedly already made an offer for Fresneda, with Dortmund expected to follow suit soon. While he may not be an immediate starter at a club like Arsenal, he could challenge for some number of minutes right from the off. His calm and composed demeanor, coupled with his impressive defensive skills, make him a player to watch in the coming years.
