World Soccer - UK (2020-10)

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best player, providing a record 21 La
Liga assists in 2019-20 and winning
his seventhPichichi, another record.
His transfer request in August sent
shockwaves around the world. Triggered
by that humiliation against Bayern, as
well as the alleged mistreatment of his
close friend Suarez, Messi made it clear
that he wanted to leave the Nou Camp.
At the time of writing, his situation
remains uncertain. But whatever happens,
Barcelona need to start planning for
a Messi-less future. Even if he stays
another season, the 33-year-old can’t
carry them forever. Replacing him will be
the job of the decade, and one that the
current board does not look up to solving.
The rise ofLa Masiaproducts Riqui
Puig and Ansu Fati, plus the acquisitions
of Pedri and Francisco Trincao, mean
there is exciting talent at the club, but
more needs to emerge. And soon.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid supporters
watch on with glee.
Los Blancosalso have their own stars
heading towards the end of their careers

• Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric will be
  35 at the end of 2020-21, while Karim
  Benzema turns 33 in December. Yet
  there’s still a strong base of first-teamers
  in their 20s who can step up in a period
  of transition – the likes of Marco Asensio,
  Raphael Varane and Federico Valverde
  spring to mind – while returning loanee
  Martin Odegaard has the world at his
  feet. Eder Militao, Sergio Reguilon,
  Brahim Diaz, ViniciusJr. and Rodrygo
  are all promising youngsters too.
  Real’s long-term future looks bright,
  but their imminent objective is to retain
  their title. Given the situation at Barca,
  it is difficult to see who will stop them.
  Atletico remain in transition, with their
  squad having undergone a refresh in the
  summer of 2019. They’re still one of
  the most defensively-capable units
  in Europe, but Diego Simeone needs
  morefromhisattackersiftheyareto
  challenge for the title. With Alvaro
  Morata and Diego Costa scoring just17
  league goals combined last season, a
  heavier responsibility must fall on their
  20-year-old record signingJoao Felix


• about to embark on just his third
  season as a professional footballer.
  Europa League champions Sevilla

were another side to undertake a squad

overhaul last summer, with the likes of

Jules Kounde, Diego Carlos and Lucas

Ocampos excelling in their debut

seasons. They’ll want to continue where

they left off, while juggling the added

pressure of Champions League football.

Villarreal had to settle for a place

in this season’s Europa League, but are

in safe hands – new coach Unai Emery

famously won the competition three

seasons running while in charge of

Sevilla. The Basque coach has something

to prove after a largely unsuccessful spell

in the Premier League with Arsenal,

although he inherits a squad who have

just lost their main creative fulcrum in

departed playmaker Santi Cazorla.

Real Sociedad and Granada join The

Yellow Submarine in Europe’s second

competition, and it is the former who

will most fancy their chances. In Mikel

Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal and Alexander

Isak, they boast some of 2019-20’s best

performers – while new boy David Silva

will be tasked to replace the creativity

lost with Odegaard’s return to Madrid.

One club that on paper should be

aiming for a European place next season

is Valencia, although on-pitch matters

have been clouded by administrative

and financial debacles in recent years.

The sale of their academy gem Ferran

Torres to Manchester City for as little as

£21 million is just one example of that.

With so many flaws in their main title

rivals, another seasons of success looms

large for Real Madrid. It could set the

tone for the decade.

Jared Tinslay

SPAIN LA LIGA Season Preview2020-21

Unai Emery has something to prove

after a largely unsuccessful spell in

the Premier League with Arsenal

Real Sociedad...

the Basque side will

sorely miss Odegaard

Point to prove...

Unai Emery

HUESCA

After being relegated from La Liga

in 2018-19, Huesca bounced straight

back up as champions of Segunda

Division. Premier League-winning

forward with Leicester, Shinji Okazaki,

finished as the club’s top scorer in all

competitions last season, but doubts

remain as to whether the 34-year-

old will be able to cut it in La Liga.

CADIZ

Known as the “Carnival City” for its

famous February celebrations, the

Andalusian club return to La Liga for

the first time since 2006. One of the

most popular sides in Spain, they only

bear a slight grudge with regional

rivals Sevilla. Interestingly, they are

one of only three La Liga clubs that

Leo Messi has failed to score against.

ELCHE

Elche sneaked into the play-offs

on the last day of the season, after

Fuenlabrada’s match with Deportivo

was postponed. Relegated Depor

eventually won the rearranged

game, providing Elche a path back

to the top tier after five years away.

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