The new season in La Liga is set to kick off this Friday and here is a look at some key players to watch.
Santi Mina (Valencia)
Santi Mina is ready for a real breakout this season and he is in good company with his exciting Valencia team who finished fourth in the La Liga last season. The 22-year-old joined Valencia from Celta Vigo in 2015 and he has had sufficient time to settle in. He scored 15 goals in all competitions last season, and was brilliant playing through the centre rather than out wide as he has in the past. This could be the season that he really cements his position as a big player in the top-flight of Spain’s football. Valencia have the potential of remaining in the top four for a second consecutive season and Mina has a great opportunity of helping them do just that.
Takashi Inui (Real Betis)
Japanese World Cup star Takashi Inui signed for Real Betis as a free agent, having left fellow Spanish outfit Eibar at the end of his contract. At 30 years of age, he is not necessarily a long-term prospect but will have plenty to offer for Real Betis. His experience in La Liga, partnered with an impressive outing with the Japanese national side in the World Cup, suggests that he has enough about him to contribute to Betis’ La Liga campaign.
Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid)
Thomas Lemar is one of the most talented and exciting players that France have seen in the last few years. He is part of the golden generation that won the World Cup this summer in Russia. Lemar is a very technical player with raw talent and no wonder Atletico Madrid were willing to pay Monaco’s asking price of €65m. He will be expected to forge a partnership with Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa up front, and we can expect him to slot in seamlessly for their opener away to Valencia.
Wissam Ben Yedder (Sevilla)
Wissam Ben Yedder’s power could not earn him a national team call-up by Didier Deschamps to represent France in the last World Cup. However, he will be looking forward to yet another season with his club Sevilla. He will be highly motivated as he has had enough time to freshen up. He obliterated Manchester United in the Champions League away to Old Trafford and managed a total of nine goals with three assists. whereas we can not promise anything specific for the new season you can be sure that he is out for blood after being left out of a World Cup championship and all he thinks about right now is vindication.
Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)
Marco Asensio is enjoying his football in the most successful club in football history. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has shown trust in the kid as he has not signed anybody to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who was sold to Juventus. During pre-season Asensio’s freedom to play in the middle or as a winger produced some incredible combinations with newcomer Vinicius and both look like they are going to have fun playing together with Los Blancos this season.