Will any fans want to see their club relegated? The answer is no, except if you’re an Athletic Club Bilbao fan. According to a Spanish paper El Mundo survey, fans would rather see their club relegated than give up their only-Basque signing policy called the Cantera. According to the policy, they only sign players born in Basque or who played their youth football career at a Basque club. This makes it very difficult for the club to maintain their high standards. However, such is Bilbao’s tenacity that they continue to do so. The list of Athletic Bilbao graduates who went on to dominate world football is long. From football’s ironman Inaki Williams, to Nico Williams and Unai Vencedor, the success stories are too many to tell. Nico Serrano is on his way to adding his name to the illustrious list.
Born in Pamplona, South Basque region, the forward was promoted to the first side before the 2021-22 season. While he was used as a substitute in the entire season, he still managed to make a strong case for more game time.
Also read: Clubs with best youth academies. Do Athletic Bilbao make the cut?
However, Bilbao’s manager Ernesto Valverde thinks that Serrano needs a loan spell before becoming integral to the first team. However, his chances of regular appearances for the first time are further strengthened by the lack of quality players due to the Cantera policy.
And while other Spanish players such as Gavi and his teammate Pedri have already established themselves, Serrano is just one step back.
Playing career so far
Nico Serrano was born in 2003 and joined CA Osasuna’s youth academy in his hometown, Pamplona. And at the age of 12, he joined Villareal. Then, after spending two years in the Castellon region, he joined CD Roda before joining Bilbao’s youth system in 2018.
One year later, he was promoted to the under-19s before making his way to Bilbao Athletic, the reserve team. In the 2020-21 season, Serrano impressed, making 24 appearances. Playing most of the time on the left wing, Serrano was one of the few positives in a season where his team finished 15th in the league.
Afternoon. Im getting alot of suggestions in my discord & other discords for wonderkids to do. Today it is Nico Serrano
He is a Basque wonderkid.358 club appearances, 96 goals & 80 assists with 48 caps for Spain.
Discord link – https://t.co/uguhtIq0es pic.twitter.com/2VisDuO56j
— FMWonderkids🇺🇦 (@fm_wonderkids) January 28, 2021
And it was why coach Gaizka…
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