Nico Williams’ brother says ‘he’s done for’ as Spain star’s nightmare season gets worse

Nico Williams was attracting interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool last summer, but the Athletic Club star is in the grip of a nightmare campaign that is only getting worse.

A long-time target of Premier League sides, Nico Williams rejected transfer interest to sign a new contract in Bilbao barely six months ago, yet since then, the Spain winger’s career has hit the skids.

Now his brother has made a worrying admission, claiming that the 30-time Spain international is “done for”.

Nico Williams laments ‘very difficult injury’

Nico Williams has played 26 matches for Athletic Club this season but has rarely been at his best level.

His return of four goals and six assists has not been catastrophic, yet his overall performance level has notably dipped, partly explaining why the Basque side find themselves ninth in La Liga.

The 23-year-old has been hampered by a chronic groin injury that forced him out of action for three weeks in the autumn. In truth, it has never really healed.

Speaking in November, he admitted: “I’m suffering from this injury. It allows you to do certain things, but you’re not quite yourself. It’s a very difficult injury. Those who have suffered it know that.

“There’s talk of an operation, but you have to be careful. We have to take the right measures. I’m working like no-one else. It’s not easy. There will be times when I’m not at 100% and that will hold me back, but we’re on the right track.”

‘He’s taken two or three steps backwards’

Nico’s older brother Inaki Williams spoke of his brother’s pubalgia problems over the weekend.

“He’s done for,” he lamented to Estadio Deportivo. “He’s really struggling. He’s been dealing with discomfort since September.

“It’s true that with pubalgia, some days you’re fine and then the next you’re not.

“I already mentioned last week that he told me he was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel … And now it seems like he’s taken two or three steps backwards.”

However, with a calmer period of the season arriving, Inaki is hopeful that Nico can regain something like his best level.

“I think these weeks, with matches every weekend, will be good for him to manage his workload, recover, undergo conservative treatment during the week, and try to be ready for the weekends to compete,” he said.

What now for Nico Williams?

If Nico Williams, who is under contract with Athletic until 2035, can navigate this difficult spell in his career, he can regain the form that allowed him to attract the attention of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

For the moment, though, teams will be reticent to match his €100m release clause because of his chronic injury issues.

Liverpool have been linked with Nico as a potential replacement for Cody Gakpo, yet for Arne Slot’s side to confidently make a summer move, he will first have to prove his fitness.

Instead of worrying about a move, he must first target regaining his best physical level.

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