Hassan Chamas

Another day, another season in Spain. The hangover that spread out wide in the country following the national team’s success at Euro 2008, soon died as club football news swiftly rose to become the major piece of news in the Iberian peninsula’s biggest country. And with all eyes on August 30th, the day the new season starts, and teams already beginning to finalize their transfer agenda, it promises to be an exhilarating season in Spain.

But what have been the major changes for the teams this transfer window? Let’s take a look at the changes that have happened over the past couple of months (Notice that the clubs are ordered depending on their finishing position during the 2007-08 campaign, and that clubs in parentheses are the ones players have played for this past season):

Real Madrid C.F.

In: Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV), Ruben de la Red (Getafe CF), Javi Garcia (CA Osasuna).

Out: Javier Balboa (SL Benfica), Roberto Soldado (Getafe CF).

By this time of year, their name is attributed to any person you can think of: From the major players to grace the football pitch to the kid dribbling the ball in your neighbourhood, everybody wants to play for Real Madrid. Strangely enough, van der Vaart remains Real’s only major signing of the summer, and could very well be the sole one, as club president Ramon Calderon clearly said the day VDV was introduced to the Bernabeu faithful, explicitly declaring the end of the club’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo – for this summer, at least. Van der Vaart is viewed as a slight adjustment to an already extraordinary squad, and his job is clear from the start: Help Madrid become the first team to achieve double-digit Champions League titles.

  Villarreal C.F.

In: Edmilson (FC Barcelona), Joseba Llorente (Real Valladolid), Jozy Altidore (Red Bull New York), Ariel Ibagaza (RCD Mallorca).

Out: Martin Caceres (FC Barcelona), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Jonathan Pereira (Racing Santander), Josemi (RCD Mallorca), Marco Ruben and Cesar Arzo (Recreativo Huelva).

It has been a wonderful year for the “Yellow Submarine”, finishing in second-place, ahead of Barcelona. Villarreal have lost important players during this transfer window, notably rising star defender Caceres and Danish “mercenary” Tomasson. However, they have strengthened their squad, particularly by purchasing American wonderkid Altidore. Many are looking forward to seeing him develop a deadly striking partnership with Guiseppe Rossi.

  FC Barcelona

In: Martin Caceres (Villarreal CF), Gerard Pique (Manchester United), Seydou Keita and Daniel Alves (FC Sevilla), Aliaksander Hleb (Arsenal).

Out: Ronaldinho and Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Deco (Chelsea), Edmilson (Villareal CF), Giovani dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspur), Santiago Ezquerro (CA Osasuna), Oleguer Presas (AFC Ajax).

The most altered team of the summer. Not less than €88 million were spent in order to shake up the team after a couple of seasons of disappointment. As I mentioned in one of my previous articles (click here in case you missed it), Barcelona are clearly learning from their mistakes, and have already started a serious revolution, with notable players of the old guard, such as former fan-favorite Ronaldinho already out of the picture.

  Atletico de Madrid

In: Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyonnais), Paulo Assuncao (FC Porto), Florent Sinama-Pongolle (Recreativo Huelva), John Heitinga (AFC Ajax), Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina),

Out: Ze Castro and Mista (Deportivo La Coruna), Jose Jurado (RCD Mallorca), Fabiano Eller (Santos), Roberto Jimenez (Recreativo Huelva), Ivan Cuellar (Sporting de Gijon).

Like their champion neighbours, Atletico are also searching for that winning flair, one that saw them crowned as Spanish league and cup champions back in 1996. With the deadly striking partnership of Sergio “Kun” Aguero and Diego Forlan swiftly blossoming, the arrival of world class players such as Coupet and Heitinga, Atletico will reinforce a team that has been striving for success for so long.

  FC Sevilla

In: Lautaro Acosta (Lanus), Fernando Navarro (RCD Mallorca), Abdoulay Konko (Genoa CFC), Christian Pouga (AC Bellinzona), Kofi Romaric (Le Mans), Sebastien Squillaci (Olympique Lyonnais), Aldo Duscher (Deportivo La Coruna).

Out: Seydou Keita and Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona), Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Duda (Malaga CF).

Sevilla were a shadow of their former selves this past term. Indeed, memories of UEFA Cup glory is all but old photos in a yearbook placed in an attic. Sevilla had a very modest season, and at times struggled to keep up with La Liga’s top dogs. Now, with three of their most valuable players looking for adventure elsewhere, Sevilla have to get their elbows dirty if they want to stay in next season’s competitions for a long time.

  Racing Santander

In: Vitolo (Celta de Vigo), Ze Antonio (Vestel Manisapor), Jonathan Pereira (Villarreal CF), Juanjo (Sevilla B), Sepsi (SL Benfica).

Out: Sergio Sanchez (RCD Espanyol), Ayoze Diaz (RCD Mallorca), Roberto Platero (CD Numancia), Christian Portilla and Jonathan Valle (SD Ponferradina), Pablo Alvarez (Deportivo La Coruna).

What a season it was for Racing. A sixth-place finish, the best in the Basque-outfit’s history, Racing managed to fascinate La Liga, and under the guidance of former coach Marcelino, declared themselves the team that surprised the most. Whether they will succeed in their European quest however, is another matter.

  RCD Mallorca

In: Ayoze Diaz (Racing Santander), Josemi (Villarreal CF), Alhassane Keita (Al-Ittihad), Jose Jurado (Atletico Madrid), Juanmi Callejon (Castilla), Enrique Corrales (CA Osasuna).

Out: Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle United), Ariel Ibagaza (Villarreal CF), Dani Guiza (Fenerbahce SK), Fernando Navarro (FC Sevilla), David Navarro (Valencia CF).

After endless seasons of battling relegation, Mallorca finished in seventh position this past campaign, their best result since the 2000-2001 campaign. Is this an omen of things to come?

  UD Almeria

In: Esteban Solari (UNAM Pumas), Pablo Piatti (Estudiantes), Esteban Suarez (Celta Vigo).

Out: Aitor Alcante (SD Lemona), Domingo Sisma (CD Numancia), David Rodriguez (Celta Vigo), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina).

Almeria managed to produce a very good display last season, considering that it was the team’s first ever season in the Spanish top flight. Under the guidance of some remarkable players such as custodian Diego Alves and former Castilla striker Alvaro Negredo, they managed to be one of the teams that surprised the Spanish football world this year. If they continue this way, surely more remarkable seasons are yet to come.

  Deportivo La Coruna

In: Ze Castro and Mista (Atletico Madrid), Daniel Aranzubia (Athletic Bilbao), Omar Bravo (Chivas de Guadelajara), Pablo Alvarez (Racing Santander).

Out: Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United), Aythami (Xerez CD), Aldo Duscher (FC Sevilla).

It’s been four seasons since Depor last earned a top four finish. The team that was once considered as one of La Liga’s pillar teams is now something of a lower-tier club, often struggling at times in order to ensure another season in Spain’s top club competition, to a point where it has become very difficult to predict just how good, or bad, their upcoming campaign will be.

  Valencia CF

In: Ludovic Butelle (Real Valladolid), Asier del Horno (Athletic Bilbao), Curro Torres (Real Murcia), Pablo Hernandez (Getafe CF), Hugo Viana (CA Osasuna), David Navarro (RCD Mallorca).

Out: Manuel Fernandes (Everton), Sunny (CA Osasuna).

Up until a couple of rounds from the end of the season, Valencia were dragging their feet near the bottom of the table, flirting openly with relegation. Indeed, it was nothing but a disastrous season for “Los Che”, who managed to end up in an ugly tenth-place, after former club coach Ronald Koeman bought disruption into what many perceived as a capable squad. And after a chaotic summer of presidential changes, the club’s future seems to be deeply in question, with its biggest two stars, David Villa and David Silva reportedly looking to move.

  Athletic Bilbao

In: Joseba del Olmo (SD Eibar), Inaki Lafuente (RCD Espanyol), Inigo Velez (Real Murcia).

Out: David Cuellar (Real Murcia), Asier del Horno (Valencia CF), Luis Prieto (Real Valladolid), Unai Exposito (Hercules CF), Daniel Aranzubia (Deportivo La Coruna).

Another humble season for Bilbao. Despite being one of three clubs never to be relegated to the Segunda Division, Athletic Bilbao have struggled to show their true potential. To find their last league title you must go all the way back to 1984. Could we be in for another season of Basque blow?

  RCD Espanyol

In: Jose Callejon (Castilla), Sergio Sanchez (Racing Santander), Gregory Beranger (CD Numancia), Cristian Alvarez (Rosario Central).

Out: Tito (Legia Warsaw), Albert Serran and Jordi Gomez (Swansea City), Moha (Real Sociedad), Ewerthon (Real Zaragoza), Clemente Rodriguez (Spartak Moscow), Inaki Lafuente (Athletic Bilbao), Kiko Casilla (Cadiz CF).

It’s never easy to live in the shadow of a “big brother”. What if that big brother was Barcelona? Certainly, the Blaugrana did not have the best of seasons, but that also includes their town neighbours Espanyol, who after 2005, failed to reproduce their good form, finishing in twelfth position last season. Can Kameni and the rest of the team dig deep and stun La Liga? We’ll know in eight months.

  Real Betis

In: Mehmet Aurelio (Fenerbahce SK), Achille Emana (Toulouse FC), Juanma (Levante UD), Dani (Cadiz CF).

Out: Fernando and Miguel Angel (Malaga CF), Leandro Somoza (Velez Sarsfield), Toni Doblas (Free agent).

With the other Seville team, FC Sevilla, announcing themselves as the number-one team in Andalucia, Betis had to burn in the light of their Rojiblanco neighbors. Despite having some very capable players, such as Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo, Brazilian wizard Rafael Sobis, and German wing-man David Odonkor, Betis have struggled in recent seasons. Specifically, their last major finish was the 2004-05 campaign, which they ended in fourth position. Since then, Betis’ luck has just gone out the window, and last time around was no different, as they only managed 12 wins in 38 outings. Could they be in line for a return to glory this year?

  Getafe CF

In: Roberto Soldado (Real Madrid), Ibrahim Kas (Besiktas), Eugen Polanski (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Joffre Guerron (LDU), Adrian Gonzalez (Gimnastic de Torragona), Rafa (Real Valladolid).

Out: Ruben de la Red (Real Madrid), Pablo Hernandez (Valencia CF), Braulio (Real Zaragoza).

What a season it was for Getafe! After so many changes during the summer, Getafe managed to get on its feet quickly, and show the football world just how talented their squad was. Under the guidance of Danish legend Michael Laudrup, and special players such as Cantera products Esteban Granero and Ruben de la Red, “los Azulones” managed to go far in the UEFA Cup, only exiting at the hands of a titanic Bayern Munich side. They also reached the final of the Copa del Rey, losing to Valencia. Now, with new players such as Soldado arriving and thirsty for action, don’t bet on Getafe not reproducing some very good football.

  Real Valladolid

In: Justo Villar (Newell’s Old Boys), Marcos Aguirre (Lanus), Jacobo Sanz (CD Numancia), Luis Prieto (Athletic Bilbao), Damian Escudero (Velez Sarsfield), Henok Goitom (Real Murcia), Canobbio (Celta Vigo).

Out: Joseba Llorente (Villarreal CF), Ludovic Butelle (Valencia CF), Rafa (Getafe CF).

A disappointing season was endured in the last campaign for Spain’s former club capital team. Even though they had just been promoted to La Primera, expectations were high, but at many times, Valladolid failed to produce. There were even moments where the team was simply tortured, especially if you remember the seven-goal drubbing at the hands of Real Madrid. Hopefully, things will be different this time around.

  Recreativo Huelva

In: Sebastian Nayar (Boca Juniors), Roberto Jimenez (Atletico Madrid), Marco Ruben and Cezar Arzo (Villarreal CF), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos).

Out: Jose Calvo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Martins (SL Benfica), Mariano Barbosa (Estudiantes de la Plata), Florent Sinama-Pongolle (Atletico Madrid).

Just how much Recre will miss Sinama-Pongolle. After lashing out comments of committing himself to Recreativo, the French striker found adventure at Atletico Madrid too hard to turn down. Will the team prove that they are more than a one-man squad and prolong their stay in the first division for years to come?

  CA Osasuna

In: Inaki Astiz (Legia Warsaw), Roberto (Sporting de Gijon), Masoud Shojaei (Al-Sharjah), Nicolas Medina (Gimnasia de la Plata), Krisztian Vadocz (NEC Nijmegen), Roversio (Pacos de Ferreira), Santiago Ezquerro (FC Barcelona), Tiago Gomes (Zaglebie Lubin), Sunny (Valencia CF).

Out: Javi Garcia (Real Madrid), Enrique Corrales (RCD Mallorca), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Hugo Viana (Valencia CF), Ion Herice (SD Huesca), Martin Astudillo (Deportivo Alves), Juan Elia (Real Murcia).

Having barely escaped relegation by a point, Osasuna begin their new campaign reinforced with a wealth of players. With Portillo, Pandiani and co, they’ll be hoping for better luck this year.

  CD Numancia

In: Juan Pablo (CD Tenerife), Roberto Platero (Racing Santander), Domingo Sisma (UD Almeria), Alberto Montejo (Real Zaragoza).

Out: Gregory Beranger (RCD Espanyol), Barkero (Albacete Balompie), Jacobo Sanz (Real Valladolid).

It’s been four seasons since Numancia enjoyed Spanish top flight football, and their promotion will mark their fifth Primera division season. Numancia have strengthened their squad, waiting to wander in the wilderness that is La Liga, but even so, they hold a very mediocre team, and it will be very hard for them to avoid relegation when the new season end.

  Malaga CF

In: Fernando and Miguel Angel (Real Betis), Ivan Cuadrado (Real Murcia), Pere Marti (Elche CF), Nacho (Real Sociedad), Stevan Stosic (Racing de Ferrol), Duda (FC Sevilla), Manolo Gaspar (Levante UD).

Out: Antonio Hidalgo (Real Zaragoza).

Malaga are not new to first division life. After being relegated in 2005-06, they return for another another taste of top flight football. Let’s not get carried away and shoot to the moon, but Malaga have what is sufficient to make sure that their promotion was no fluke.

  Sporting de Gijon

In: Ivan Cuellar (Atletico Madrid)

Out: Roberto (CA Osasuna).

The last of the teams that will compete next season, and probably the weakest. The team that produced the star that is David Villa is craving for players in order to compete. And with those missing on its radar, a return to the Segunda division is most likely.

So who’s going to win this year’s championship?…Probably Osasuna…Yeah right. It’s going to be either one of the big two. Barcelona have greatly improvised where needed, and possess a new squad with a new coach who is desperate for success. Real, on the other hand, have just slightly modified, keeping their championship-winning squad. However, it appears that coach Bernd Schuster is eager to see a new striker arrive at the Bernabeu, and the potential sale of Robinho would surely leave Madrid with some last minute-buying to do. If they manage to hold on to Robinho and get the Villa/Huntelaar that they want, expect them to lift the Liga trophy for the third successive time.

What about the Pichichi trophy? Last year’s winner Dani Guiza left for Turkey, landing with former Seleccion coach Luis Aragones at Fenerbahce. This season, my prediction would be that the trophy will be disputed between Sergio Aguero and David Villa; provided the latter sees enough action should he transfer to another club.

As for the Zamora trophy, last season Iker Casillas surpassed even his world class game, both in La Liga and the Euros, to prove that he is indeed one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Come this year, “Saint Iker” will produce more of the same, aiming at the end to be recognized by his peers as the world’s best.