Álex Baena
A left-footed chance machine — a wide playmaker who values tempo over possession and looks for the most damaging pass at every touch.
Playing Style Summary
Baena is a creator who starts from the left and plays inside, mixing the habits of a winger and a number 10. Unlike the classic Spanish possession midfielder, he prioritises speed of decision: he carries the ball forward, plays progressive passes early and accepts risk to hurt the opponent. At Villarreal he became one of La Liga's most productive chance creators, and his set-piece delivery adds a second, dead-ball threat to his game.
Defining Traits
Vertical Playmaking
Baena's first thought is forward. He plays line-breaking passes as soon as the window opens, rather than recycling possession and waiting for a better picture.
Wide-to-Inside Creator
Starting on the left touchline, he drifts into the half-space to receive between the lines, where his left foot can find runners across the whole width of the pitch.
Set-Piece Delivery
His corners and free-kicks are a genuine weapon — consistent, whipped deliveries into dangerous zones that turn dead balls into chances.
Progressive Carrying
He combines progressive passing with progressive carries, moving the ball upfield himself when space opens rather than waiting for a passing lane.
Strengths
- Elite chance creation and final-ball quality
- Speed of decision-making in the final third
- Dangerous set-piece delivery from corners and free-kicks
- Progressive passing and carrying from wide areas
- Willingness to work back defensively in a wide midfield role
Limitations
- Not an explosive one-on-one dribbler — rarely beats his man on pace alone
- High-risk passing profile means a higher turnover rate than safer playmakers
- Physically light in direct duels against bigger opponents
More Spain players
See the full squad →Dani Olmo
“The between-the-lines specialist — a two-footed number 10 who finds pockets, turns under pressure and turns half-chances into goals.”
Lamine Yamal
“The inverted winger as playmaker — a left-footed right winger who dribbles, creates and scores from the right half-space like a veteran.”
Yéremy Pino
“A technical, hard-working wide forward — quality delivery, intelligent movement into the inside channels and the energy to press from the front.”
Nico Williams
“A touchline-hugging left winger who turns one-v-one duels into a team weapon — explosive acceleration, direct running and a growing habit of decisive final-third actions on the biggest stages.”
Víctor Muñoz
“A quick, direct left-sided forward who progresses the ball by running with it — the Real Madrid academy product who broke through at Osasuna and became Andoni Iraola's first signing at Liverpool.”
Ferran Torres
“A converted winger turned penalty-box forward — intelligent movement, first-time finishing and the versatility to play anywhere across a front three. Scorer of Spain's World Cup-winning goal.”
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