Will James Rodriguez fit in Real Madrid’s team?
Carlo Ancelotti knows that he has to incorporate Real Madrid's biggest summer signing. He will also hope he is as impressive as he was for Colombia in Brazil. Issues will arise if not.
When Karim Benzema struggled to settle in at the Bernabeu, he continued to play at the behest of president Florentino Perez. Benzema eventually came good.
Isco, who signed last summer, was afforded opportunities before being sidelined. Gareth Bale was given chances until he prospered. Ancelotti, who will pick and choose his battles, showed last season that he will tweak tactics and change to fit in players.
Madrid started with a 4-2-3-1 last term, then moved to 4-3-3, then 4-4-2 by the end of the season in which they won their 10th European Cup. Rodriguez, who is versatile, will be found a space, probably behind the front three.
How will the transfer ban affect Barcelona?
Pending another appeal, Barcelona cannot buy players in the January 2015 transfer window or in the close season window.
Though they have contested the decision, they are aware they breached the rules and have spent more money this season than any in the club's history – €153 million (Dh746m) and counting. Barca have bought eight players and promoted three from the youth team. Ten players have either departed, retired or run out of contract.
With 10 days of the transfer window remaining, Barca are still busy working on new targets. Marco Reus is a possibility, plus a full-back to replace Daniel Alves, who is expected to leave next year. Sao Paulo’s president has already stated that Barca have agreed a deal for right-back Douglas, 24, for an initial fee of €6m. He will likely stay in Brazil for a year before moving next June – a legal ruse to beat the transfer ban.
What does the future hold for Luis Suarez?
Barca are desperate for their record signing to be a success and Suarez is desperate to deliver. They need each other.
If he settles and starts scoring, the former Liverpool man will likely state that he is much happier living close to his family in Spain (his in-laws are long-time Barcelona residents) where his mother tongue is spoken. He will claim, too, that the media do not have an agenda against him, as they did in England, and that he has felt love and support from people since arriving in Catalonia.
Suarez has already apologised for his latest biting misdemeanour, but his indiscretions are too numerous to win over rational minds.
Suarez is damaged goods, and he is also a world-class footballer. It is entirely plausible that he excels on the pitch and continues to commit major transgressions. It is up to Barca how they deal with that.
Can Atletico Madrid repeat last season’s success?
It will be very difficult to retain the title and reach the Uefa Champions League final. It was astonishing it happened in the first place.
Atletico enjoyed their greatest season, bettering two giants working on a budget four times that at the Calderon. Their budget has been increased by €20m to €140m and in Mario Mandzukic (who they hope will be the latest in a long line of great strikers), Jan Oblak, Antoine Griezmann and Guilherme Siqueira, they have bought well to replace David Villa, Thibaut Courtois, Diego Costa and Filipe Luis. Their squad is still formidable and their greatest asset, manager Diego Simeone, has remained. But a repeat of last year, especially as their opponents are now all too aware of their power, looks implausible.
Which Valencia are fans going to see this season?
It depends who you ask. Speak to a player such as new signing Rodrigo and he will be full of optimism about the strength of the squad. He is in his honeymoon period, but the signing of the Brazilian-born former Spain Under 21 striker, who was so effective for Benfica last season, is a coup for a Valencia who have become accustomed to selling their best players.
The issue of ownership is key and it has still not been resolved, with Singaporean businessman Peter Lim yet to complete the deal that will see him take control. Progress is anticipated in the next month, when Lim will clear Valencia’s €200m debt and help finance the completion of a new stadium that has lain dormant for five years. Top six and a return to European football should be the aim.
Can anyone challenge Spain’s top three?
It is unlikely. Atletico have closed the gap between second and third that had grown to 25 points. Sevilla are excelling under Unai Emery and managed to beat Real Madrid and hold Atletico last season, but their squad does not compare with what Atletico will be delighted is being called the big three. Nobody’s does.
Athletic Bilbao, who finished fourth under Ernesto Valverde, will play in the Champions League for the first time since 1998 if they can overcome Napoli in next week’s final qualifying game. They drew 1-1 in Naples this week in the first leg. Competing on two fronts will be difficult.
Villarreal, Sevilla and Real Sociedad also have Europe to consider.
Can the big Basque clubs be competitive in Europe?
Recent history says no. Athletic finished sixth to earn a place in the Europa League in 2011/12. They reached the final of that competition and won a legion of fans along the way, but they slipped to 10th in the league and 12th the next season, when they were also in Europe.
Athletic rose to fourth without such continental distractions last term. They have sold Ander Herrera, a key player, though their San Mames home has been completed and will be an intimidating arena.
Neighbours Real Sociedad could not compete on two fronts last season. Dreadful in the Champions League, their league form picked up once they were eliminated and they finished seventh.
An honourable mention, too, goes to a third Basque club. Eibar, the smallest club to get in the top flight in the modern era and whose home seats just 5,200, also have the smallest budget in the league. Staying up will be a miracle.
Who will be No 1 in goal at Real Madrid?
Aside from the president, the battle for the goalkeeper’s shirt at the Bernabeu is fascinating. The under-valued Diego Lopez, Madrid’s No 1 for the past 18 months, has departed for a far better contract at AC Milan.
Madrid have two of the most notable goalkeepers from the World Cup, the best and the worst. Keylor Navas, a reserve at Levante as recently as March 2013, was outstanding for Costa Rica. He is expected to be No 1, yet Iker Casillas, who had a dreadful time in Brazil, will be given more chances.
Casillas – or “Saint Iker”, as he is known by many in Spain – is a club legend who has won the lot and broken personal records along the way. Nobody has played more games for Spain than his 156. Still only 33, his collapse in form and subsequent lack of opportunity at the club where he is captain has been one of the surprises of recent years.
Can Sevilla sustain their Europa League form?
Sevilla had a dreadful start to 2013/14 and were bottom after five matches before rising to finish fifth and win the Europa League under Unai Emery.
Again it has been a summer of 20 transfers from Sevilla, who source talent through their sublime sporting director Ramon “Monchi” Rodriguez and sell at a profit. Captain Ivan Rakitic will be the hardest to replace now he is at Barca.
Of the incoming players, striker Denis Suarez, on loan from Barcelona and formerly of Manchester City, is highly rated. Versatile attacker Iago Aspas showed much promise at Celta de Vigo before a poor season with Liverpool. Colombian forward Carlos Bacca, scorer of 21 goals last term, remains their main striker, while Argentine central defender Federico Fazio, 27 and in his ninth season at the club, is another key player. Sevilla can continue to prosper domestically and in Europe.
Can Messi work with Neymar and Suarez?
Suarez's part in a strike triumvirate with Messi and Neymar could be as effective as Madrid's "BBC" of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. Given the variety of players and greater range of skills they offer, it could be even better. Or it could fizzle and fade like previous partnerships between Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic or David Villa.
Messi’s influence is key. His supporters see him as someone who demands the exacting best. Others disagree, considering him overindulged and deciding almost everything at the club. That is fine when Barca are winning with the Argentine as facilitator, but the opposite is true when he is less than his spectacular self, as was the case in early 2014 with the team accused of being too dependent on Messi, with no Plan B.
Do not forget about Pedro Rodriguez, either, in Barca’s forward line, although he will not feature in Sunday’s opener against Elche as he has contracted gastroenteritis.
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