Merino should be converted into a striker

Mikel Merino is starting to look like he was made to play up front. His movement inside the box is so sharp, so instinctive, that you’d easily mistake him for a natural striker. He just always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

And the numbers don’t lie. In the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, only Erling Haaland has had a bigger share of goals for his national team than Merino.

It’s not just about the goals, though. The way he drifts into pockets of space, links up with teammates, and attacks crosses shows real attacking intelligence.

At this point, one would almost feel like he could switch roles entirely because right now, Mikel Merino is playing like a striker trapped in a midfielder’s body.