Nico Williams makes Athletic squad, but Terzic asks for patience with his return
Edin Terzic has named his first official squad as Athletic Club coach to face Sevilla this Saturday at San Mamés. Nico Williams and Aymeric Laporte are the big new additions to a 23-man list in which Dani Vivian does not appear, still sidelined. Despite his call-up, everything points to the rojiblanco winger being managed with great caution after not playing a single minute during the preseason.
Athletic Club
Nico Williams called up but with few chances of starting
Nico Williams14.820.000€-750.000€ 6
DLThe main news for fantasy users is the inclusion of Nico Williams. The international has been named in the squad despite joining training later after the World Cup and not featuring in any of the pre-season friendlies.
Terzic explained in a press conference that the forward is without pain and is working normally, although he still needs to regain competitive rhythm. The coach wants to be especially careful with him after the physical problems he suffered last season.
His presence among the 23 called up opens the door for him to play his first minutes of the campaign, but the prospect of seeing him straight in the starting XI looks unlikely. The most logical scenario is a gradual introduction during the match depending on how the game develops.
Laporte also returns and Guruzeta is available
Laporte7.320.000€-30.000€ -
DFAnother key name in the squad is Aymeric Laporte. The centre-back also did not play any minutes during the preseason after joining later, so, just like Nico Williams, he could start the match from the bench.
Gorka Guruzeta brings better news. The striker has moved past the muscle issues that kept him out of the last friendly and is included in the squad. His preseason was especially positive, with six goals in seven matches, so he is again available for Terzic.
Dani Vivian ruled out for Sevilla clash
Daniel Vivian2.420.000€+30.000€ 3
DFThe biggest absence is Dani Vivian. The defender is still recovering from the muscle injury that has kept him out all summer and will not be available for Athletic's league opener.
Terzic confirmed that he is currently the only injured player in the squad, although players such as Andoni Gorosabel, Nico Serrano, Beñat Prados or Iker Monreal also did not make the list.
Athletic's full squad
The 23 players called up are: Unai Simón, Padilla, Paredes, Yeray, Berenguer, Sancet, Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams, Guruzeta, Areso, Laporte, Hugo Rincón, Ruiz de Galarreta, Yuri, Jauregizar, Adama, Rego, Maroan, Navarro, Gerenabarrena, Djaló, Canales and Johaneko.
Athletic will host Sevilla this Saturday, August 22 at 17:00 in San Mamés. It will be the rojiblancos' first league match after the postponement of their matchday 1 fixture against Barcelona.
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— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) August 21, 2026
Edin Terzi? cita a 2?3? jugadores para el partido de mañana (17:00h) ante el @SevillaFC en San Mamés.#AthleticSevilla #AthleticClub ? pic.twitter.com/QRDG75wvPJ
What do we do with Nico Williams in fantasy?
The call-up is an important step forward, but it is wise to keep things cautious with Nico Williams this matchday. Terzic has made it clear that he still needs to regain his rhythm, and everything suggests that if he plays against Sevilla, it will initially be with controlled minutes.
For matchday 2, his starting spot carries quite a bit of risk. In the medium term, though, he will continue to be one of Athletic's players with the highest fantasy potential once he fully recovers his physical condition.
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