Athletic Bilbao are immersed in tradition, and have a strict policy of only signing Basque players.
In recent seasons, one talented player from their famous youth academy has emerged as an individual the top clubs around Europe are desperate to sign.
Nico Williams has become the most promising young player amidst the Basque powerhouse's storied history.
Del barrio a la gloria🥷🏿🥺El plan de dios es perfecto🙏🏿🕺🏿 pic.twitter.com/HqIrKIDHNd— Nicolas Williams (@willliamsssnico) April 7, 2024
Del barrio a la gloria🥷🏿🥺El plan de dios es perfecto🙏🏿🕺🏿 pic.twitter.com/HqIrKIDHNd
Heralded as the perfect example of the club's youth development system, Williams has swiftly ascended to prominence under the tutelage of manager Ernesto Valverde.
The 21-year-old has set Europe ablaze with his scintillating displays, boasting a staggering record of assists per 90 that eclipses his peers across the continent's top leagues.
Williams's contributions have been instrumental in Athletic Bilbao’s surge towards Champions League qualification. It is a target that has long eluded the Basque club.
However, it is not solely in La Liga matches where Williams has left a mark.
His heroics in the Copa del Rey, where he helped Los Leones take down Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, culminated in Athletic’s triumph, clinching their first major trophy in four decades.
Such feats have ignited a pursuit for his services, with Premier League giants Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur clamouring for his signature.
Williams’s estimated transfer value is €29 million, which in the grand scheme of modern-day Premier League transfers, isn’t much.
Despite the interest from England, Williams recently penned a contract extension at Athletic Bilbao that binds him to the club until 2027.
The contract was fortified by a daunting €50m release clause. A price that Liverpool and Spurs can easily afford.
His adaptability on either flank, coupled with an ability to transition between wide expanses and smaller, more narrow spaces, underscores his versatility as an attacking player.
Williams's dribbling forays have left defenders in his wake across La Liga. His league-leading 3.3 successful take-ons per 90 shows his abilities on the ball.
Williams is also adept at unlocking defences, with his pinpoint passes. He has eight La Liga assists.
Perhaps one of the issues with Williams’s game is a lack of goals. He has scored just three La Liga goals in 2023-24.
It is a low number, but placed in a team of Liverpool’s quality, he could begin to find the back of the net more often.
The winger’s defensive workrate and relentless pressing, qualities often overlooked in attacking players, are sought-after by clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham.
Rrrrroooba el balón @cucurella3 ↩️↪️ Este se lo cede a @FabianRP52, que arranca jugada y conecta con @willliamsssnico.⚡️ El extremo pone el turbo y coooooorre dejando atrás a sus rivales para asistir a un desmarcado @JoseluMato9 y...⚽️ ¡¡GOOOOOLITO DE ESPAÑA!!#VamosEspaña pic.twitter.com/mtpXT8vZog— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 21, 2024
Rrrrroooba el balón @cucurella3 ↩️↪️ Este se lo cede a @FabianRP52, que arranca jugada y conecta con @willliamsssnico.⚡️ El extremo pone el turbo y coooooorre dejando atrás a sus rivales para asistir a un desmarcado @JoseluMato9 y...⚽️ ¡¡GOOOOOLITO DE ESPAÑA!!#VamosEspaña pic.twitter.com/mtpXT8vZog
Williams's tireless work ethic and commitment to defensive duties mirror those of other modern-day wingers, such as Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka.
With Athletic Bilbao on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League next season, Williams could remain with his hometown club. However, a test away from Spain could lure the winger away.