Last years pre season saw our stupid owners buy four non eu players and you are only allowed 3 in la liga so it was between Salvio and Diego Costa of who stayed and who went out on loan. Costa impressed more, so Salvio went to Benfica on loan with a 15m euro clause. Costa had a fairly poor season where as Salvio became one of Benfica's best players and luckily they were skint so they couldn't afford him.
Gabi, I think, was bought for back up as many Atleti fans think our midfield 3 will be M.Suarez - Tiago -Diego/ attacking midfielder which we sign
He looked good though last season, much better player then when he left us.
Munian is so surprising, he looks so weak and too small but his pace and dribbling makes him so dangerous, would like him for the left wing role.
Forgot about Bilbao at first but they have a great spine with Amorebieta, Martinez and those two strikers. Although, they are rumoured to be buying R.Garcia of us which will ruin their fist 11 if they start him.
What clubs can you see being relegated this season? (both English and Spainish)
Yeah, Amorebieta, great defender, English style, no messing,fearless.
They do have a strong spine, but they are limited in how they can improve it, sadly for them, we like Bilbao, as they were founded initially by 2 Sunderland fans!
Relegation, English wise, QPR haven't got nearly enough, Wigan without N'Zogbia will go, and i think Blackburn will be the 3rd, the new owners are cowboys, and they don't have enough, their form under Keen was appaling, and i see that carrying over to next season.
From La Liga, it's pretty tough.
I think Betis will survive from the newly promoted sides, but Granada & Vallecano are going to be really struggling, th 3rd place for me is between Osasuna & Levante, Levante totally over achieved last season and did really well to stay up, but if i had to put my money on it today, i'd say they'd go.
The only other team i see in any danger is Racing, they have steadily declined and i don't see any real quality in their squad, but they should just about scrape through it.
Granada, Vallecano & Levante for me.
I think the surprise package may be Geatfe (not for the first time either), they have a lot of quality in their squad, players that could play for much bigger clubs, i think they'll be bothering the Europa places this season, i understand they are another club that have found wealthy backers, and with Albin, Diaz and several others already there, they could have a very decent season indeed.