Rino Matarazzo’s homegrown centre-back quartet to anchor Real Sociedad defence | OneFootball

According to Diario Vasco, Real Sociedad will build next season’s defence around Igor Zubeldia, Jon Martín, Jon Pacheco and Luken Beitia, while pursuing an experienced left-footed centre-back from outside.

Director of football Erik Bretos has strong faith in the homegrown quartet and expects a 50-plus game campaign. He sees signings as reinforcement, and says those four could start tomorrow.

The addition is understood to be left-footed, seasoned, strong in duels and comfortable playing out on the left. With that five, Rino Matarazzo would have enough even in a back three.

Zubeldia’s year was disrupted, missing the Copa final and much of the run-in with a hamstring issue, and he scored a stoppage-time goal against Osasuna in the last 16. He has 331 senior games.

Despite links to Real Madrid, Barcelona and, from England, Chelsea under Xabi Alonso, Martín, 20, has decided to stay this summer. He has a 60 million euro clause and a contract to 2031, is a Copa-winning regular and a Spain debutant.

Pacheco earned another shot after a strong first half at Alavés, before a coaching change and an ankle injury derailed momentum. He is renewed to 2030 and, at 25, is expected to start pre-season fully fit. Beitia, 21, steps up after five senior outings and 84 Sanse games, 27 in Segunda.

Since Iñigo Martínez’s 2018 exit, academy centre-backs have prospered, while external recruits have struggled. Bretos must now nail the external pick, someone to play consistently and raise the level.

Source: Diario Vasco