Kerala Blasters have completed their first international signing for the new season, officially announcing the arrival of Spanish forward Koldo Obieta. Here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the team’s new striker.
At 31 years old, Obieta’s career has largely been based in the lower divisions of Spanish football. He has mostly played in the Primera Federación, Spain’s third-tier league, and divisions below it. He also has experience in the Segunda División, the second-tier league in Spain.
The player has a knack for taking his chances and is skilled at converting opportunities inside the box into goals. He is also strong in the air and effective at scoring with headers. Standing at 1.83 meters (6 feet) tall, Obieta’s heading power is a notable strength, which could benefit the Blasters during corner kicks and crosses from the wings.
His ability to position himself in the right place to score will also be crucial for the team. Obieta is a physically strong player, and this attribute could help the Blasters overcome the demanding defensive challenges often seen in the ISL.
Alongside his strengths, there are some areas for improvement in Obieta’s game. His most significant weakness is his lack of pace. This could create difficulties when trying to run past defenders and during counter-attacks. He also has limited ‘vision’ when it comes to creating scoring chances or making long-range passes. Because of this, he is expected to play as a ‘target man’ who primarily operates inside the penalty box.
Although the ISL’s standard is different from Europe’s top leagues, Obieta’s experience playing in Spain’s competitive environment will be beneficial. Rather than being just a prolific goal-scorer, Koldo Obieta is likely to act as a central point in the attack. His role will be to hold up the ball, keep defenders busy, and create opportunities for his teammates.