(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Nico Williams Struggles in Pre-Season After Renewing with Athletic Club
Spanish international winger Nico Williams has made headlines after choosing to renew his contract with Athletic Club, turning down a potential move to Barcelona during the early stages of the transfer window. While his decision brought joy to fans at San Mamés, the pre-season results have not been as positive for the talented forward.
Athletic Club is preparing for a highly anticipated return to the UEFA Champions League in the 2025-26 season under head coach Ernesto Valverde. As part of their pre-season campaign, the Basque side faced strong competition in a series of friendly matches, including two tough encounters against Liverpool at Anfield, which ended in 4-1 and 3-2 defeats.
Despite the losses, the second match against Liverpool showed promise, with Valverde fielding a near full-strength squad. Among the starters was Nico Williams, who has been a consistent presence in the pre-season lineup.
However, Williams’ form has raised some concerns. Since his contract renewal, the winger has featured in three pre-season games — a 1-0 loss to Deportivo Alavés, a 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, and the recent 3-2 setback against Liverpool. In total, he has played 188 minutes (46 vs Alavés, 64 vs PSV, and 78 vs Liverpool), but has yet to register a goal or an assist.
Last season, Nico Williams delivered an impressive performance with 11 goals and 7 assists in 45 matches, becoming a key figure for Athletic. The current form may simply reflect the physical demands of pre-season, as he continues to regain full fitness and rhythm.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the winger can rediscover his top form when the official campaign kicks off. With the Champions League and La Liga challenges ahead, Nico Williams will be aiming to make a strong impact for both club and country.
