The Spanish media have praised Georges Mikautadze. The former Ajax player made the move from Olympique Lyon to Villarreal last summer and has been delivering in recent weeks. 'His mobility, speed and technical skills make the difference.'
Where Georges Mikautadze never truly established himself at Ajax, the 24-year-old Georgian striker has quickly turned a new page at Villarreal, where he has started to look like one of the club’s most exciting acquisitions in recent years.
Signed from Olympique Lyon in the summer transfer window for a fee of 31 million euros, the forward has wasted little time in making his mark in La Liga. In four of his last five matches, he has either scored or provided an assist, showing that Villarreal’s faith in him is already beginning to pay off.
Spanish outlet Marca captured the mood perfectly when it noted: “Mikautadze does not disappoint.” For a club that has often seen big-money signings fail to live up to expectations, this early adaptation has been refreshing.
The Georgian striker has already shown qualities that stand out in Spain’s top flight. Marca emphasized his mobility, speed, and technical ability attributes that have made him a constant threat to opposing defenses. His intelligence in movement and ability to find space have also helped him fit seamlessly into Villarreal’s attacking system, where he has quickly become the focal point of the frontline.
Villarreal’s history with expensive signings has not always been smooth. Both Arnaut Danjuma, who cost 22.5 million euros, and Paco Alcácer, who joined for 24.5 million euros, struggled to justify their price tags despite flashes of quality. Those examples serve as reminders that spending big does not always translate to on-pitch success. Against this backdrop, Mikautadze’s performances carry even greater weight, suggesting that Villarreal may finally have struck the right balance between investment and return.
Marca’s analysis was reinforced by Diario AS, which praised Mikautadze’s wide range of attacking qualities and even compared him to some of the club’s greatest forwards of the modern era. The newspaper highlighted: “Mikautadze shows a touch of Diego Forlán in his effortless finishing, a touch of Giuseppe Rossi in his ability to disturb defenses and inject strength into his side, and a touch of Gerard Moreno with his clarity and vision when combining inside the box.” Such comparisons underline the excitement surrounding his early performances, particularly considering the calibre of the players he is being measured against.
Even in Villarreal’s 3-1 defeat away to Real Madrid on October 4, Mikautadze stood out as one of the team’s brighter elements. While Villarreal ultimately left the Bernabéu empty-handed, the Georgian’s energy, work rate, and determination to test the Madrid defense were noted by the Spanish press. For a side still trying to find consistency in the early stages of the season, his individual performances have provided a ray of hope and something for fans to rally behind.
Mikautadze’s swift adaptation also speaks volumes about his resilience and mentality. At Ajax, he struggled to find his footing and never lived up to expectations, often finding himself on the fringes of the squad. His move to Lyon gave him more opportunities, but even there he did not fully convince as a long-term solution. Villarreal’s decision to bring him in for such a significant sum raised eyebrows in some quarters, with many doubting whether he could handle the pressure of being a marquee signing. Just weeks into the season, those doubts are already fading.
The Georgian forward’s rise has also reignited interest in his national team career. He has been an increasingly influential figure for Georgia, and his form in Spain could see him take on even greater responsibility on the international stage. Spain’s media have noted not only his individual skill set but also his ability to elevate teammates around him, a trait that could prove invaluable for both club and country in the months ahead.
Looking forward, Villarreal will be hoping Mikautadze can maintain his form and consistency over the course of a long campaign. The demands of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and European competition will test the depth of the squad, and the Yellow Submarine will need their new striker to continue producing if they want to challenge for European qualification. Should he sustain this level of performance, Mikautadze could emerge as one of the standout signings in La Liga this season, a player capable of carving his name alongside the club’s legendary forwards.
In many ways, his story is already beginning to resemble a redemption arc: from a failed spell at Ajax to a promising start in Spain, Mikautadze’s career is gathering momentum at just the right time. For Villarreal, his signing may prove to be not only a smart investment but also the beginning of a new chapter in their attacking identity.
