Oscar Zambrano – CM – Maribor
Here is an interesting one, a player who already has Championship experience. Zambrano came through the L.D.U. Quito system after earlier spells with Colorados Jaipadida and América de Quito, making his senior debut in the Ecuadorian Serie A in 2022. He later spent time in England with Hull City, scoring once in eight Championship appearances during a loan spell that was disrupted by a CONMEBOL doping ban, which was later reduced on appeal. Now listed with NK Maribor, the midfielder has also represented Ecuador at youth level, including the Under-20 side at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Zambrano’s defensive numbers show a midfielder who is active without the ball, averaging 7.13 defensive duels, 2.7 loose ball duels and 1.73 interceptions per 90 minutes across all competitions. His Hull City spell is worth noting within that profile, as his Championship figures rose to 8.55 defensive duels and 3.63 interceptions per 90, while he won 65% of his defensive duels during that period. He is a player who can contribute through pressure, ball-winning and regains in midfield, which is exactly what we want.
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