Maroan sidelined as Valverde’s faith fades at Athletic | OneFootball

Maroan Sannadi’s slide has sharpened, the Vitoria-born 25-year-old now out of favour after arriving with Ernesto Valverde’s backing. According to El Correo, he has been left out of three straight squads and it looks unlikely he will make Saturday’s trip to Alavés.

Valverde drove his winter signing after being impressed in a Bilbao Athletic v Barakaldo game at Lezama, seeking a powerful focal point different to Guruzeta.

He started in European ties against Roma, Rangers and Manchester United, even provoking the early dismissal of Roma centre-back Mats Hummels. He finished that spell with one goal and three assists.

His problems began in last season’s final match against Barcelona, leading to right meniscus surgery on 3 November. He began the season with long-standing meniscal discomfort. Over three and a half months a conservative approach kept him available in every match, yet he played only 335 minutes and scored in the 3-2 opener against Sevilla.

About four months after surgery, he managed only 18 minutes in a 2-0 defeat at Getafe before further omissions. Valverde has since preferred Izeta, previously little used, while Guruzeta’s 16-goal form limits chances.

Athletic paid four million euros plus two in add-ons in January 2025 to Alavés, and Sannadi has three years left. A difficult year also denied him the last Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco and a World Cup push after three caps. In March he said he felt positive after studying his game and wanted to help, but reality has been less kind.

Source: El Correo