Not every white dude is a deep lying playmaker (Tonali, Kovacic, Winks aren't) even if he's spanish Not every tall black dude is a "ball winner"/"box-to-box" (Mainoo, Camavinga, Fofana). Watch the players for what they are, not what your bias project.

Because playmakers are supposed... to make plays. Which implies to take risks. Fabregas, Pjanic, Kroos, Alonso. They took risks and got a lot of joy out of it because they were brilliants. Today that would be Calhanoglu, Tielemans

Zubimendi keeps things ticking, can handle pressure, helps his team progress with short to medium passes. He's not the one making THE move to unbalance the opposing team. And he's got like 5 league assists in his whole career Therefore, he's no playmaker.

As for Madrid : they've only been signing top technical, physical and mental profiles who can directly impact the outcome of the games at the highest level. So goals, assists, pre-assists, top defensive characteristics.

This means power and/or pace, 1v1 mastery on either side of the ball, ballstriking, passing range, set pieces, box defending... Which ones of this boxes does Zubimendi tick ?

Zubimendi is a good small ball player. Small radius of action on both sides of the ball. No long carries, no long passes, no ability to defend large spaces (Real Sociedad tactical fouling to hide that, only Getafe fouls more in Liga). Could hardly be less Madrid than his profile.

The day Madrid sign him is the day they throw what made them the best team in the world to the bin. Can't see that happening in the near future. And when that happens, they'll stop winning.