Top 10 La Liga Signings 2007/2008

Hassan Chamas

With the league season coming to an end in Spain, a look over the signings that stood out and helped their team, one way or another.

1) Yaya Toure (AS Monaco to FC Barcelona) - Honestly, and in spite of Barcelona’s poor season, I have never seen him endure one bad match. Was one of Barcelona’s most consistent and effective players throughout the campaign, and had to save his team on numerous occasions from defeat. His class was clear throughout the season, notably against Manchester United in the 1st leg of the Champions League semi-final, where he completely froze the Red Devils midfield. Surely La Liga’s best signing of the season.

2) Daniel Guiza (FC Getafe to RCD Mallorca) - The Spanish forward of 2007-08. His transfer from Getafe to Mallorca last summer was a relatively quiet one and without much in the way of fanfare. Now, after much of the league campaign, he is the top Spanish goalscorer, with 22 strikes, 5 in front of second-placed Raul. He will surely be at least 3rd choice striker for Luis Aragones when the European Championships begin next month.

3) Ruben de la Red (Real Madrid to FC Getafe) - After signing a contract extraction earlier in the summer, and being promoted to the first side, de la Red’s seemed to fancy his chances at Real. However the player was surprised by being sold on the final day to neighbors Getafe. There, he gradually established himself as a first-team member, and was eventually called up to the Spanish national team. He also led his club to the domestic cup final and latter stages of the UEFA Cup, where they sadly failed to win any of them. His great season did not go unnoticed by his former employers, and he was soon re-signed to be part of Bernd Schuster’s team for next season.

4) Marcelino (Recreativo de Huelva to Racing Santander) - It is true that players win matches, not coaches, but the main reason behind Racing’s push this season for a Champions League qualifying position has been coach Marcelino Garcia Toral. The Brazilian has done a tremendous job at the club during his first season-after having served as a player-and has introduced a new fighting spirit to a rejuvenated Racing, who will surely secure European competition next year if they keep up the good work.

5) Diego Forlan (Villareal CF to Atletico Madrid) - In what may have been the best Atletico side in recent years, Forlan was the man behind their impressive attacking force. Blessed with pace and an incredible eye for goal, the 2005 Pichichi is having a great season, with 14 goals to his tally so far, and is forming an incredible striking partnership with young Argentine Sergio Aguero.

6) Pepe (FC Porto to Real Madrid) - People must have thought that Ramon Calderon had gone mad when he signed this unknown defender for the massive fee of €30 million. But despite the injuries that have hampered his season, Pepe always produced 120% in each game for his team, showing world class defending every time, with notable performances such as a man-of-the-match display against FC Barcelona in December 2007. No wonder that his Porto coach Co Adriaanse made him his “secret weapon” back during his final year at the club. Certainly the man who has broken Madrid’s centre-back curse.

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7) Juan Mata (Real Madrid Castilla to Valencia CF) - Eyebrows are quickly raised whenever a player is transferred from a B team straight into the starting eleven of a European heavyweight. However, with flashy displays and taking advantage of some of his teammate’s injuries, Mata shut-up his critics as he cemented his place in Valencia’s first eleven. The fruits of his hard work was the cup title, in which Mata scored a brace that sent Valencia cruising to a 3-1 win over Getafe in the final bout.

8) Seydou Keita (RC Lens to FC Sevilla) - In what has been a disappointing season for the Andalucian outfit, Keita was one of the few bright lights. The Malian international has been one of the best midfielders in Spain this season, menacing opposing teams as well as competing with fellow teammate Christian Poulsen for a place in centre of Sevilla’s midfield. With most European outfits demanding his signature, no wonder that he is being put on the same pedestal as Esteban Cambiasso, Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso and Javier Mascherano.

9) Alvaro Negredo (Real Madrid Castilla to UD Almeria) - Negredo showed his importance in a match against his former employers- like many ex-Madrid players have done in the past- showing them just what they have missed. The young striker is having an excellent season at Almeria, with 13 goals to record so far, a number that is surely destined to rise before the league draws it curtains. I won’t be surprised if Real exercise the buy-back option that they wisely added to this youngster’s contract.

10) Wesley Sneijder (AFC Ajax to Real Madrid) - With “Mr. Money” David Beckham leaving Europe last season, to ply his trade in the USA, Real Madrid looked to the player that could fill the Englishman’s place, and give them that important foreign essence (Not that they lack any foreigners). They found their answer in Ajax midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who arrived at the capital outfit for a whopping €27 million. Sneijder quickly became a Bernabeu fan-favorite, impressing in his debut, delivering goals, assists, tricks and flicks. A rib injury halted his outstanding start, only for him to hit back firing on all cylinders and shoot Real Madrid to what is certainly a second consecutive title.

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