Euro 2020 may still be ongoing but the start of July usually triggers an increase in transfer speculation and, suddenly, you can say that the new season starts ‘next month’.
That is the same in La Liga which is set to begin on August 13 – even though it seems only five minutes ago that Atletico Madid clinched the title on a dramatic final day.
Two days after a campaign jammed-packed full of La Liga highlights concluded, I pondered that there were as many questions as answers.
Six weeks on, I’m far from convinced the situation has altered.
In fact, at the sharp end of the division, only one question has been answered.
Amid increased speculation that Zinedine Zidane was set to depart, the Frenchman and club did part company and brought back an old favourite to succeed him.
I suspect he has quite a rebuilding job.
Out has gone long-time skipper Sergio Ramos and the future of Welsh wizard Gareth Bale, following a season-long loan at Spurs, is unclear – although he and the Italian had a good working relationship and I’d expect him to be given an opportunity.
The persistent speculation linking the club with Kylian Mbappe remains and the talented French star would certainly provide the ‘galactico’ name that Los Blancos has lacked since Cristiano Ronaldo departed three years ago.
The arrival of David Alaba from Bayern Munich is an excellent capture and if Ancelotti keeps hold of Frenchman Raphael Varane and Eden Hazard can enjoy a clear run injury-free, the nucleus is there.
The midfield has several cases with Martin Odegaard back with enthusiasm and hoping a change of coach will mean an upturn in fortunes for him as he looks for some decent game time in a white shirt following four different loan spells – most recently at Arsenal.
The admission of Isco for so many matches for both club and country is a mystery to me and if he is not in Ancelotti’s plans then it is likely his time at the club will soon run its course.
Over at Barcelona, who have shown faith in manager Ronald Koeman, fellow Dutchman Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero are the big arrivals, yet the main question still lingers there too: will life at Barca in 2021/22 be with or without Lionel Messi?
The Catalans may be trying to slash their expenses – as well as some fringe players, there is talk that Philippe Coutinho could be sold to Milan (freeing up around 50 million euros) – but maintaining Messi’s signature would be a massive boost after he looked certain to leave Catalonia a matter of months ago.
There are many more players who could still leave this summer, but with less of a market.
Danish frontman Martin Braithwaite, Carles Alena and Clement Lenglet could all be sold, and then there’s Antoine Griezmann. The latter earns 40 million euros gross a year and his departure would free up some cash.
Griezmann is one of a number of players who may miss the start of the season or certainly will not be fully fit after their Euro 2020 exertions.
And then there’s Tokyo.
Spain have announced their football squad for the Olympics, causing no small amount of tension with clubs worried about their players facing burnout or not being available for the beginning of the new campaign.
Olympic football is controversial at the best of times. But, after a year marked by a global pandemic and with continental competitions already taking place, clubs are even more reluctant to part with their players.
That explains why Manchester City have been able to refuse Ferran Torres and Rodri permission to be part of the Olympics squad, while clubs in Spain do not have this right.
Pedri, Unai Simon, Mikel Oyarzabal, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres and Dani Olmo have all been included in the Olympic selection with Barcelona, in particular, concerned about the presence of Pedri and Garcia on Luis de la Fuente’s list.
Again, there are more questions than answers at this stage.
That I’ve barely mentioned defending champions Atletico shows why, once again, Real and Barca will be the two favourites with the Sbotop La Liga betting odds.
And then there’s the new boys.
Alongside Espanyol and Mallorca, who contested a thrilling Segunda Division title race, Rayo Vallecano are back in La Liga.
After relegation two years ago, coach Andoni Iraola, the former Athletic Club player, galvanised the team and led them to an unlikely promotion.
Much will be said about the three promoted clubs over the next month.
Much speculation will become confirmed or otherwise about arrivals and departures over the next month.
For now, though, it’s still up in the air!
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
