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We are on the brink of the commencement of another exciting football season. Arrivals and departures of players are an important factor in the performances of a team. The managers and the sporting directors have had their hands full as they try to sort out deals for the best players. Players seek newer pastures in order to develop their careers .The end of the transfer window may be a month away but we have already seen clubs purchasing key players.A best XI of the completed transfers in each league has been made in accordance with the author’s opinion. In this slideshow, we focus on the league with two reigning European champions. There has been no shortage of big names moving domestically or internationally. While Real Madrid and Barcelona continue to attract the best players, defending champions Atletico Marid have had to rebuild their team due to departures. Feel free to give your opinions.Formation : 4-2-1-3
#1 Goalkeeper: Marc Andre Ter Stegen
With the departures of Victor Valdes and Jose Manuel Pinto, Barcelona moved quickly in the transfer market and signed two goalkeepers. Marc Andre Ter Stegen edges out Claudio Bravo in ths XI because he seems more suited to Barcelonas short passing. He completed 73 % of his passes in the Bundesliga compared to Bravos 59 % in the La Liga.The 22 year old left boyhood club Borussia Monchengladbach for a fee of 12 million Euros and looks set to compete with Bravo in the upcoming days. He is also capable of playing as a sweeper keeper which could play a crucial part since Barcelona usually adopt a high line of defence. Ter Stegen had a 100 % claim rate in the Bundesliga proving he is capable in the air as well. He is a versatile keeper but is still not in his prime. Luis Enrique will have a decision to make in the coming weeks.
#2 Right Back: Antonio Rukavina
Antonio Rukavina moved for free from Real Valladolid to Villareal. He is an ambitious right back and is an experienced Serbian international. Now 30 years old, Rukavina will add experience to a Villareal side hoping to impress in Europe this time around. Rukavinas Valladolid side were relegated last season, but Villareals top bosses still feel that he is capable of playing in La Liga.Rukavinas crossing ability is very good. He is an ambitious right back and is capable of covering large distances, a necessity for the modern full back. He will fit into the Yellow submarines philosophy of attacking down the wings. It will be difficult for him to beat Mario to the right back slot but he will get his chance if Villareal are to have a hectic schedule.
#3 Centre back: Jeremy Mathieu
A lot of eyebrows were raised when Barcelona decided to spend 20 million Euros on a 30 year old player who has experienced the centre back role for only two years. Mathieu is the most expensive defender aged 30 or above in the history of football. Jeremy Mathieu ,may not have been the best option for Barcelona considering options like Villareals Mateo Musacchio or Olympaikos Kostas Manolas , but he has been impressive for a struggling Valencia side.The French defender is a good passer of the ball and can dictate play from the back. Barcelona may have paid attention to this ability of his and decided to cash in. But Mathieu is not hesitant to put the ball into Row Z. He infact averages 6 clearances per game. His most excellent attribute however remains his intercepting ability. He made more interceptions than any Barcelona player last season.Mathieu will need to prove his critics wrong and must do so quickly as Barcelona look to re-emerge as the European champions.
#4 Centre Back : Alejandro Arribas
Sevilla are the reigning Europa League champions and have quickly spent money and recruited seven players to the squad. Alejandro Arribas arrives on a free transfer to the Sanchez Pizjuan from Osasuna and Sevilla will be delighted with this signing.Arribas is an upgrade over Juan Cala and will form a solid partnership with Federico Fazio. He boasts the second best blocked shots per game ratio in La Liga.He performed more defensive actions (interceptions+ blocked shots+ clearances ) than anyone in La Liga. The 25 year old will be entering the prime of his career and will add an aerial threat in set piece situations. He arrives in Seville with less pressure and could very well turn out to be a big success
#5 Left Back: Guilherme Siqueira
Atletico Madrid lost Filipe Luis, one of the best left backs in the world to Chelsea. Diego Simeone moved quickly and repleced him with another Brazilian Guilherme Siqueira. He might not be as good as Luis but Simeone has the ability to get the best out of him. Siqueira joins from Granada for a measly fee of 10 million Euros.Siqueira was part of a deadline day bid from Real Madrid in August but the Granada president blocked the move and eventually let the left back move on loan to Benfica. After finishing runners-up in the Europa League and winning the Liga Sagres with Benfica, Siqueira sealed the move to Atletico Madrid on 11th June, 2014.The Brazilian 28 year old will hope to emulate his time at Benfica and Granada. He scored an impressive 6 goals for Granada in the 2013 La Liga season. Considered a late bloomer, Siqueira is only getting better.
#6 Centre Midfielder: Ivan Rakitic
The progression of Ivan Rakitic from an erratic winger to one of the most mature midfielders has been remarkable to say the least. Barcelona signed Rakitic from Sevilla for a fee of just 19 million Euros. The Croatian midfielder joins Barcelona on the back of probably his best career as a professional footballer.Numbers do not lie in Rakitics case. He scored 13 goals and provided 13 more. Only 2 players played more key passes per game than Rakitic in La Liga. He boasts the second best successful crosses per game in La Liga. He might be a risky passer of the ball but showed he can play at a slow tempo in the World Cup.But Rakitics most prized attribute is his versatility. He can play as an attacking midfielder, a box to box midfielder and defensive midfielder. He does not shy away from tackles and is excellent in intercepting balls. Rakitic is truly an early contender for the best signing in Europe.
#7 Centre Midfielder: Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos had been at loggerheads with Bayern Munich over a contract dispute. After being linked to Manchester United, Toni Kroos promised he would make a decision on his future after the World Cup. Real Madrid entered and the rest, as they say, is history. Real Madrid have proved time and again that they can convince world class players to join. Toni Kroos joins Real Madrid for a fee of just 30 million Euros. He is one of the best passers in the world of football and to say that 30 million is a bargain for him would be an understatement.Toni Kroos completed an astonishing 92.3 % of his passes in the previous season even though he attempts a large number of long balls. His range of passing is remarkable. No player had a better successful passes percentage than Toni Kroos in the Bundesliga. He averages almost 9 long balls per game, one of the most in Europe. He averaged 95 passes per game in the Champions League and 86 in the World Cup. He is just 24 years old and could be a dominant midfielder for 6 to 7 years.Toni Kroos could form an exciting partnership with Luka Modric as they attempt to defend the European crown.
#8 Attacking Midfielder: James Rodriguez
What a year it has been for James Rodriguez. He went from being a wonderkid to a world class talent in one year or arguably, one tournament. King James joins an elite list of South Americans who have donned the famous white of Real Madrid but he has the ability to outshine all those legends. He joins Real Madrid for a fee of 80 million Euros from AS Monaco after spending only one year in the Principality club.James bagged the golden boot in the World Cup and probably scored the best goal of the tournament. He took on the responsibility of goal scoring for Colombia after Radamel Falcao was forced out of the World Cup due to injury. At the tender age of 22 , James led his country to the World Cup quarters, doing so with utmost class and skill. James Rodriguez had an excellent season for Monaco as well. Only Mathieu Valbuena played more key passes per game than him in Ligue 1. He also played the second most through balls in Ligue 1. He provided the most assists in Ligue 1 with 12.James forms an exciting front four for Real Madrid with the likes of Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid could become the only team in the Champions League era to win the coveted trophy back to back with this sort of attack.
#9 Forward Right: Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid won the La Liga last season but face a challenge this season. Diego Simeone lost crucial players in this window but replaced them with critical players of his own. One of them Antoine Griezmann has to shoulder the responsibilities of David Villa. The 23 year old moves to the Vicente Calderon from Real Sociedad for a fee of 30 million EurosAntoine Griezmann had arguably his finest season as a footballer last season. He scored 16 goals in La Liga last season. Griezmann has spent his entire professional life in Sociedad. Capable of playing on either side, as well as through the centre, Atletico have found a capable replacement for Villa. Only three players had more shots per game than Griezmann in La Liga. Simeone will be delighted that Griezmann is only getting started. Griezmann had a low key second half to the season but a new club may help him regain his form.His association with Mandzukic may determine the extent to which the Los Colcheneros succeed this season.
#10 Forward Left : Luis Suarez
There is no player who divides opinion more than Luis Suarez. He is a living embodiment of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He showed the world his talent by scoring a couple of well taken goals against England. His dark side was on show in the FIFA World cup when he sunk his teeth into Giorgio Chiellini. A four month ban from all football ensued, including training and showing up in a football stadium. A fortnight after his ban was announced, Luis Suarez joint Barcelona for a fee of 94.5 Million Euros making him the third most expensive signing ever.
Luis Suarez had his problems in Anfield. But he is a once in a generation player. He dazzled the Kop end with his dribbles, goals and passes. He gave hope to a club which was spindling downwards. He may have his problems,but make no mistake, Luis Suarez is one of the worlds best strikers.
He scored a stunning 31 goals, 10 ahead of second best Daniel Sturridge and provided 12 assists, one lesser than first placed Steven Gerrard in the Premier League . He had the most shots per game, the second most dribbles per game and the second most through balls per game in the Premier League. He was the best player in the Premier League by a mile.Luis Suarez is in the most critical part of his career. He forms a mouth-watering trinity with Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi. The Nou Camp will either love or hate Suarez. There is no middle ground.
#11 Forward Centre: Mario Mandzukic
Diego Costa was the best Atletico Madrid player last season. He was brilliant in Atletico’s La Liga triumph and their runners’ up run in the Champions League. The mood was obviously sombre in the Calderon when Costa left for Chelsea. Atletico Madrid have made a habit of losing key strikers in the previous season with the likes of Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan, Radamel Falcao and now Diego Costa seeking new pastures. But the Los Colcheneros have survived and succeeded. Diego Simeone seeks to appease the fans buy unveiling his new striker Mario Mandzukic. The 28 year old Croat joins from Bayern Munich for a fee of 22 million Euros.
If there ever was a perfect replacement for Diego Costa in the world, it is Mario Mandzukic. Mandzukic is physical and has a superb work-rate. He scored 21 goals for Bayern in just 29 starts. He was second best behind Robert Lewandowski(20 goals) last season in the Bundesliga despite starting 10 games lesser than the Polish hitman. He wins an astonishing 3 aerial duels per game. Mario Mandzukic could be Atletico’s next great striker. He has Antoine Griezmann to help him out and continue Atletico’s rise to the top.
