Joab Gutiérrez is a 19-year-old right footed fullback for Real Estelí FC and the Nicaraguan national team (1 cap). This season he played both fullback positions and had flexibility to shift inside as a right centre-back, too. He appeared 31 times over the 2024/25 Apertura and Clausura (including playoffs), scoring one goal.
Standing at around 6’0”, Gutiérrez is bigger than your typical fullback, especially in frame. He has broad shoulders and an overall sturdy build that is stronger than expected for his age. In terms of speed, he displays elite pace in recovery alongside notable bursts of acceleration when attacking or closing out. His recovery pace combined with a consistent show of stamina working hard on sprints down the flanks helped to slow down counters at the end of his recoveries. Gutiérrez is also considerably agile, particularly with the ball at his feet, using lots of feints when cutting inside, showing a genuine shiftiness when changing direction. After, he would seamlessly glide past markers due to his lengthy strides converting to sheer pace. Gutiérrez’s overall physical profile is impressive.
Defensively, he really proved his quality patrolling the wing over two legs versus Tigres of Liga MX in the Concacaf Champions Cup. He put his elite recovery speed firmly on display, a primary way he stops attacks. Gutiérrez’s tactical intelligence is ahead of his years, standing out most defending in transition with supreme positioning to shutdown dribblers in 1v1s. He can be overly aggressive in duels, though, lunging early and occasionally picking up a yellow card. His overall physicality going into challenges is still developing, leaning more into his success with his positioning that allows him to block crosses. In addition, Gutiérrez’s aggression shows in interceptions, anticipating line breaking passes and stepping into those lanes, though, he is not immune to becoming overeager and lunging past them, putting himself out of position. His pace and hard work tracking back shine most in those situations as he primarily distributes from the back, not putting himself out of position defensively when still attacking.
On the attack, Gutiérrez operates from the half spaces as a playmaker in the base of midfield, comfortable as an inverted fullback from either side in possession. He links play well coming short for the ball in midfield and is willing to use either foot in distribution. He is quite progressive-minded, attempting to break lines via the ground often, especially after carrying past the defense either cutting inside or receiving in stride. Because captain Josué Quijano is a right back, Gutiérrez often plays out of position on the left, taking away some natural passing angles as he still prefers to break lines with his right foot. With his persistence to continue breaking lines even after failing, the natural development of his passing technique will come, as it displays a mentality to keep improving. On the dribble, Gutiérrez uses his athleticism/shiftiness most often to cut inside or carry forward, though his technical ability is not bad either. Overall, his traits suit him well as an offensive initiator out from the back with potential to grow into the role due to his mentality.
Gutiérrez’s defensive performances against stronger competition and progressive mentality on the attack combine for a promising future projection. Adding his strong physical profile and consistent minutes to the mix bodes well for the potential to hold up over a long, more grueling season when he moves to a more demanding league. Gutiérrez already has a high ceiling for his current level of play while having the room to grow into a La Liga starter. He will likely need another season domestically before moving to MLS or Liga MX. From there, plying his trade in Spain where plenty of clubs will fit his play style in possession could be feasible.
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