Rubén Pardo

[The_Boxing_KangaBlue]

Been doing a bit of reading in respect of young playmakers outside of the obvious.

A name that has popped up a bit is Ruben Pardo Gutiérrez from Real Sociedad. He's 20/21year old 6footer midfielder, capped in the Spanish U/21s, who posters on other forums, Sociedad fans and random media are likening to Xabi Alonso.

The biggest potential difficulty I can see in prying him away from Sociedad is that he has played there his whole life, all the way from youth ranks. Also if as the below holds any water (CaughtOffside, so not greatly likely), RM is interested, and they may be more attractive to a young Spaniard.

Anyone know any more about him?

Another one of his teammates, Asier Illarramendi is very highly rated as well. Although has a rumoured €30m buyout clause.

Some reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubén_Pardo_(footballer)

http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/ruben-pardo-sociedads-future/

The midfielder made his 5 minute debut in the 1-0 home defeat by Real Madrid last season and swapped shirts with Xabi Alonso, one of his idols. Since then, fans have been demanding the players inclusion on a more regular basis however Pardo has always been behind players like Elustondo or Markel Bergara in the pecking order.

Despite dominating a match against Sevilla back in February, which saw him receive one of the biggest ovations at the Anoeta, the player still couldn’t force his way into the side.

The fans believed he should’ve been given the chance to impress with a run in the team, but that wasn’t to be, until now.

Last weekend, Pardo and Asier Illarramendi ran the midfield against Malaga in La Rosaleda. The Sociedad faithful had been waiting for months to see this and the player did not disappoint. Coach Montanier was keen to stress the more measured approach towards younger players when he said “his actually very young and needs to improve in the physical aspects”.

Real Sociedad know what a gem of a player they have on their hands. God help La Liga when Ruben Pardo is unleashed.

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2013/0...edads-ruben-pardo-as-xabi-alonso-replacement/

Real Madrid are preparing a summer bid for Real Sociedad’s Ruben Prado according to Tutto Mercato Web.

The Spanish giants are currently drawing up a potential short list of replacements for 31 year old midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Alonso’s future has come under speculation in recent weeks with reports suggesting that Spaniard will turn down a new contract offer at Real Madrid.


The Spanish giants are keen to hold on to Alonso and are ready to offer him a pay rise and a two year deal to keep him at the Bernabeu but it remains to be seen whether that will be enough to persuade the player to put pen to paper.

Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers is reportedly keen to tempt Alonso back to Anfield as he believes him ideally suited to the team’s high energy passing style of football.

That has prompted Madrid to draw up contingency plans in case Alonso does decide to leave the club once his contract expires at the end of next season.

Ruben Prado has been identified as one of the club’s first-choice replacements for Alonso.

Prado has been in fine form for Sociedad and has put in a number of impressive performances this season in La Liga. The youngster is tipped for a bright future in the game.

And before anyone asks, it seems he doesnt mind the rough stuff...

 

[Blue Haze]

Great summary. Looks like another potential target who can pass.

 

[lost_n_spaced]

Not seen him, but I'd beware about the Xabi Alonso parallels.

Much the same as anyone tricky who comes up at Sporting (currently Bruma) is 'the new Ronaldo', anyone in defensive midfield who comes up at Sociedad will be 'the new Alonso', as it's a nice, easy throwaway line of assessment for the press.

Alonso is one of my favourite players ever though, so if the lad IS good then he's worth keeping an eye on (we've seen with Varane at Lens/Real* that it's sometimes worth purchasing players who have relatively few games under their belt at their first club if you see the right amount of potential).

*The same might be said for Nastasic, also.

 

[The_Boxing_KangaBlue]

Not seen him, but I'd beware about the Xabi Alonso parallels.

Much the same as anyone tricky who comes up at Sporting (currently Bruma) is 'the new Ronaldo', anyone in defensive midfield who comes up at Sociedad will be 'the new Alonso', as it's a nice, easy throwaway line of assessment for the press.

Alonso is one of my favourite players ever though, so if the lad IS good then he's worth keeping an eye on (we've seen with Varane at Lens/Real* that it's sometimes worth purchasing players who have relatively few games under their belt at their first club if you see the right amount of potential).

*The same might be said for Nastasic, also.

Sure. Any young kid whos half decent is always 'the new' somebody. His name just keeps popping up, and I'd fancy we could get him easier than either of the Bender lads

 

[Nevizade]

I heard Pardo was off to Mexico...

 

[cool cat]

Think he's gonna take Bell and Lee with him

 

[Alan Oakes Shinpads]

I heard Pardo was off to Mexico...

With Bell and Lee and Summerbee