Luis de la Fuente's exaggerated claim about Martin Zubimendi makes little sense

Spain's national team manager, Luis de la Fuente, has just called Martín Zubimendi the second-best defensive midfielder in the world at the moment.

According to De la Fuente, Rodri is the best defensive midfielder in the world, and he is quickly followed by Zubimendi as the second in line.

He said: "Rodri is the best player in the world in his position, knowing that we have Martin Zubimendi behind him, who is also another great player, surely the second best in the world."

It is a piping hot take because, if you ask anyone in world football who they think is the second-best defensive midfielder in the world, the answer probably wouldn't be Zubimendi unless it is some of the biggest Zubimendi stans out there.

This is not to disrespect Zubimendi. He is a really good football player. On his day, he is one of the best in his position. But having him at number two when there are plenty of other options that can be called better than him is a bit of an odd take.

Martin Zubimendi is not the second-best defensive midfielder in world football

It is also worth noting that Arsenal are actively looking to sign Bruno Guimarães. In fact, they have almost closed the signing, and he will be taking Zubimendi's spot in the lineup.

If Zubimendi really was the second-best defensive midfielder in the world, chances are Arsenal probably wouldn't want to sign anyone in his position.

Obviously, it might just be that De la Fuente is backing the players that he knows are good from Spain, rather than actually making an unbiased claim about who he thinks is the best in the business. If that is the case, then it is meant in a sort of unserious tone.

Zubimendi has a lot of potential, but physically speaking, he's just not as dominant as what you'd want a number six to be. Even if he can improve on that, and he has in the last couple of seasons, the Spaniard still makes mistakes a bit more often than what you'd want your defensive midfielder to do.

Having him next to another really defensive midfielder is a brilliant move, but just having Zubimendi defend everything that comes through Arsenal's or Spain's box would be a bit difficult.

It is also worth noting, though, that Zubimendi generally plays really well for Spain. In fact, if you look at just his performances for Spain in the last couple of seasons, which also include some of the games at the Euros, Zubimendi was one of the best players on the pitch.

If you look at just his national team performances, then maybe De la Fuente is not massively far off. Zubimendi still wouldn't be the second-best player in his position, but at least in that sense, he would be a bit higher than if you compare that to his club football.

Zubimendi has room to improve, and Arsenal fans would hope that he reaches the level that De la Fuente thinks he's at. But until that happens, this will be considered a very hot take, even by Arsenal fans.

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