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#4 The battle for 4th place promises excitement
Last season, Valencia got the coveted “best-of-the-rest” title as they finished in fourth place (with its Champions League riches).
Los Che has been on an upward swing since it came under new ownership in the form of Peter Lim. The team has strengthened considerably in the close season with star midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia’s full signing, the pick of the bunch.
Marcelino’s men will be looking to get better and compete favourably in La Liga and Europe but more will need to be done in the transfer market especially if the rumours about Rodrigo Moreno and Real Madrid are anything to go by.
Valencia will be pushed all the way by a couple of teams though. Real Betis have had perhaps the most eye-catching transfer window outside the top 4. The Andalucian outfit has lost promising youngsters to Italian clubs: Fabian Ruiz (Napoli), German Pezzella (Fiorentina) and Riza Durmisi (SS Lazio).
However, the proceeds from these transfers have been used to get in talent like Sergio Canales, Japanese baller Takeshi Inui and the eye-catching signing of Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho.
Keeping its mad hatter manager; Quique Setien has been the most important move. With the recalibrated side and Europa League football to look forward to, Los Verdiblancos (The Green-and-Whites) look well placed for a top 4 challenge.
Villarreal is another team that has the makings of a top 4 challenger. El Submarino Amarillo (The Yellow Submarine) has been super active in the market bringing in £54.9m worth of talent so far. The return of former favourite Santi Carzola has been the most eye-catching and a lot is expected of the team’s new look attack.
