Selton returns to Bilbao Athletic for minutes as Valverde explains development plan | OneFootball

Selton Sánchez, 19, has stepped back to Bilbao Athletic to gain minutes after a rapid rise that kept him in first-team squads from November, marking his San Mamés debut with a rabona.

As reported by as.com, Ernesto Valverde signalled on Saturday that the Lezama midfielder would drop down to the B side to build robustness, and he did so in a 1-2 defeat to Talavera at Lezama. He started and was replaced on 64 minutes by Korkut, a Donostia midfielder, son of Tayfun, signed in January from Stuttgart.

Operating in the middle, Selton did not stand out in a scrappy contest. His senior ledger shows 12 games, including an assist against Levante, plus Champions League outings against Newcastle, Slavia Prague and Sporting of Portugal.

Before facing Getafe, with nine league fixtures remaining, Valverde said the move is chiefly about the player. With more options now available, they want him to play minutes and stack matches, though he remains in their thoughts and could be called upon depending on how games unfold or any setbacks.

Valverde has been impressed by the Durango-born midfielder’s talent and unpredictability. An injury spate fast-tracked him to the senior group at 18 after only two brief B-team run-outs in the Primera Federación. He is still being polished and needs competitive rhythm.

Source: as.com