Overview
José Izquierdo is a professional footballer from Colombia, recognized for his dynamic attacking play. Predominantly operating as a forward, he has spent significant periods of his career as a left winger, utilizing his speed and dribbling to impact games. Born in Pereira on July 7, 1992, Izquierdo's athletic attributes have defined his on-field persona. His professional journey has taken him through top-tier leagues in South America and Europe, including notable spells in Belgium and England.
Position
Izquierdo's primary position is a forward, with a strong inclination towards playing on the left side of an attacking three. This role allows him to cut inside onto his stronger right foot, or drive to the byline to deliver crosses. He possesses the versatility to also play as a secondary striker or on the right wing, demonstrating tactical adaptability. His effectiveness often stems from direct runs against defenders and an ability to create scoring opportunities from wide positions.
Identity
The headline identity for José Izquierdo is that of a direct and explosive winger. His game is built around accelerating past opponents, carrying the ball into dangerous areas, and a willingness to take on defenders one-on-one. This directness, combined with his technical skill in tight spaces, has made him a threat in various attacking systems. His contributions are often marked by moments of individual brilliance, particularly in transitions and counter-attacking situations.
Career path
José Izquierdo's footballing journey began in his native Colombia before moving to European leagues. His development from youth academies to senior professional football reflects a progression through various competitive environments.
Once Caldas
Izquierdo began his professional career with Once Caldas in Colombia. He made his senior debut in 2010, initially featuring in the club's youth setup before earning a place in the first team. During his tenure, he developed his attacking attributes, becoming a regular contributor in the Colombian Categoría Primera A. His performances for Once Caldas established him as a promising talent in Colombian football, attracting interest from clubs abroad.
Deportivo Pereira
Following his time at Once Caldas, Izquierdo moved to Deportivo Pereira. This move provided him with further opportunities for first-team football and continued his development as a forward. His time at Deportivo Pereira was characterized by consistent appearances and a growing influence on the team's attacking play, further solidifying his reputation within Colombian football.
Club Brugge
In 2014, Izquierdo made a significant move to Europe, joining Belgian club Club Brugge. This transfer marked a pivotal moment in his career, offering him a platform in a major European league. His spell at Club Brugge was highly successful, culminating in winning the Belgian Pro League title in the 2015-16 season, as detailed by José Izquierdo's transfer history on Transfermarkt. His performances in Belgium also saw him feature in the UEFA Champions League, providing experience against elite European opposition and enhancing his profile internationally.
Brighton & Hove Albion
In August 2017, Izquierdo transferred to English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported club-record fee at the time, as recorded by Transfermarkt data on Izquierdo's transfers. His debut season in England saw him make an immediate impact, contributing key goals and assists as Brighton secured their Premier League status. He became a fan favorite due to his exciting style of play and crucial contributions. His time at Brighton was later affected by significant injury issues, which limited his appearances in subsequent seasons. Despite these setbacks, he remained a memorable figure during his tenure with the Seagulls before his departure in 2021.
Playing style
José Izquierdo's playing style is defined by a combination of explosive pace, direct dribbling, and a strong attacking instinct. Primarily a left winger, his ability to beat defenders one-on-one is a hallmark of his game. He often seeks to isolate full-backs, using changes of pace and close control to create space for shots or crosses.
His technical attributes are well-suited to his role. Izquierdo possesses excellent ball control, allowing him to navigate tight spaces and maintain possession under pressure. His dribbling success rate, particularly during his peak years at Club Brugge, showcased his effectiveness in carrying the ball forward and bypassing opponents. Data from platforms like FBref's player statistics for José Izquierdo often highlighted his high volume of progressive carries and successful take-ons. He is right-footed, which means he frequently cuts inside from the left wing to shoot or combine with central attackers, making him a versatile threat.
Beyond his individual attacking prowess, Izquierdo also demonstrates a willingness to contribute defensively, tracking back and applying pressure when out of possession. While not his primary strength, this aspect of his game reflects a commitment to team effort. His movement off the ball is also a key feature, as he often makes intelligent runs into channels or behind defensive lines, exploiting gaps created by opposition defenders. This intelligent positioning allows him to receive passes in dangerous areas and maximize his speed.
Comparisons could be drawn to other dynamic wingers known for their directness and acceleration, such as a younger Arjen Robben, primarily for the 'cut-inside-and-shoot' tendency, or perhaps Douglas Costa, for the explosive pace down the flank and ability to produce moments of individual brilliance. Izquierdo's ability to change the complexion of a game with a single burst of speed or a decisive dribble made him a significant asset to his teams.
Achievements & honours
José Izquierdo has accumulated several significant achievements and honours throughout his club career, particularly during his successful spell in Belgium. These accolades reflect his impact on the teams he represented and his contributions to their successes.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Club Brugge | Belgian Pro League | 2015–16 |
| Club Brugge | Belgian Super Cup | 2016 |
Individual Awards
During his time at Club Brugge, Izquierdo received individual recognition for his outstanding performances. He was awarded the Belgian Golden Shoe for the year 2016, an award recognizing the best player in the Belgian Pro League. This prestigious individual honour underscored his consistent high-level play and crucial role in Club Brugge's championship-winning season. The Golden Shoe is one of the most significant individual awards in Belgian football, highlighting his status as a standout performer in the league.
His contributions were vital in Club Brugge securing the Belgian Pro League title in the 2015–16 season, a testament to his attacking output and influence on the team's success. He also played a part in their Belgian Super Cup victory in 2016, further adding to his trophy cabinet. These achievements collectively mark a highly successful period in his career, establishing him as a prominent figure in Belgian football before his move to the Premier League.
International career
José Izquierdo has represented the Colombia national team, earning several caps and contributing goals on the international stage. His call-ups reflected his consistent club performances, particularly during his successful years in Belgium and England.
He made his senior international debut for Colombia in 2017. His debut came in a friendly match against Spain on June 7, 2017, where he also scored his first international goal, marking a memorable start to his national team career. This performance immediately showcased his attacking capabilities at the highest level of international football.
Izquierdo participated in Colombia's qualification campaigns for major tournaments, although his appearances were sometimes limited due to the strong competition for attacking positions within the squad and subsequent injury issues. He was part of the Colombian squad that participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. While he did not feature extensively during the tournament, his inclusion in such a prestigious event highlighted his standing as one of Colombia's attacking options. His presence in the squad provided depth and an alternative attacking threat from the bench.
Overall, Izquierdo earned 7 caps for Colombia, scoring 2 goals for his country, as recorded by José Izquierdo's Wikipedia career statistics. His international career, while perhaps not as extensive as his club career due to injuries, still saw him contribute to the national cause and represent his country at the highest level of football.
What makes José Izquierdo stand out
José Izquierdo's standout qualities revolve around his exceptional acceleration and direct approach to attacking play. His ability to burst past defenders in a few strides, often from a standing start, created numerous scoring opportunities and relieved pressure on his team. This raw pace, combined with a willingness to take on opponents head-on, made him a constant threat on the left wing.
Another distinctive trait was his knack for cutting inside from the left flank and unleashing powerful shots with his right foot. This move became a signature aspect of his game, leading to several memorable goals, particularly during his time at Club Brugge and Brighton. His debut Premier League goal for Brighton against West Ham United, a curling effort from outside the box, exemplified this specific skill.
"José brought a different dimension to our attack with his speed and quality in front of goal. He was a player who could change a game in an instant."