Three months after the title won by Real Madrid, the Spanish championship resumes its rights on Friday August 12. The opening match pits Osasuna against Sevilla FC, one of the contenders for European places. As the 2022-2023 season kicks off, all eyes are on Barcelona, whose significant recruitment has marked the summer. But like other teams, the Blaugranas are plagued by economic problems which cast doubt on their future.
Reconstruction: Barça offers itself an XXL recruitment but …
Riddled with debt a year ago, FC Barcelona activated several levers to animate its transfer window. Star striker Robert Lewandowski, who arrived this summer after eight high-flying years at Bayern Munich, acts as a figurehead. Raphinha (Leeds) and Franck Kessié (Milan) have also settled in Catalonia, as have defenders Andreas Christensen (Chelsea) and French international Jules Koundé (Sevilla).“SI really liked his speech, we have the same look at football”the latter said of his new coach, Xavi. On paper, the season promises to be tempting for the Catalan tactician, who had recovered a breathless team in 2021-2022.
Except that, as it stands, none of the rookies can play the opening match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Their contract, like that of the players extended this summer, including Ousmane Dembélé, has not yet been approved by La Liga. The club’s wage bill is too high. Barça must indeed get rid of assets or lower the wages of certain players and the countdown is on.
It is not the only club concerned. Manuel Pellegrini has enough to tear your hair out. For the reception of Elche, Monday, the technician of Betis does not have any attacker. The Verdiblancos cannot register their recruits for the resumption. The situation reflects the economic difficulties of many stables
The player to watch: Aurélien Tchouameni, among the stars
Reigning Spanish champion and winner of the last Champions League, Real Madrid has enlisted Aurélien Tchouameni to thicken an already satisfactory workforce a little more. The young French midfielder will try to make their way into the heart of a very busy midfield. Firmly installed, the Casemiro-Kroos-Modric trio regained their full power after a dismantling under Zinedine Zidane. “Other clubs guaranteed me more playing timeconfessed the new Merengue during his presentation. It’s a challenge to have a place in this team.”
Training of Hoy @real Madrid pic.twitter.com/Ok5vf6LUqq
— Tchouameni Aurélien (@atchouameni) July 16, 2022
It will not be easy since on the bench, two other players are already stamping their feet: Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde. During the return to school, in Helsinki, for the European Supercup, won 2-0 against Frankfurt, Aurélien Tchouaméni was not a starter. He had to settle for five minutes of play for his first official match in his new colors. The former Monegasque is aware that reduced playing time could keep him away from the starting eleven of the Blues at the 2022 World Cup in November. “But I’m ready”, he promised. The integration of the French, capable of playing in all positions in the middle, will be closely scrutinized.
The question: will Antoine Griezmann find his best level?
His return to Atlético de Madrid was not the expected rebound. On loan from Barça, Griezmann gave the impression of returning to the front of the stage in the fall, before going through the year 2022 like a shadow, like his team, which was not very attractive. He finished the season with just three La Liga goals, his lowest career tally in a league season. In his defense, “Grizou” was sidelined for two months due to a thigh injury. Does this mean that its decline is irremediable?
— Antoine Griezmann (@AntoGriezmann) July 29, 2022
At 31, he should still guide the attack of a discreet Atlético on the transfer market and orphan of Luis Suarez, returned to Uruguay. It would be especially well advised to relaunch at the start of the season, when the World Cup is looming. “He has a big mentalDidier Deschamps supported him. He needed to regenerate and will do everything to get back to his best level.”
The rest of the world: has La Liga lost its splendour?
Candidates designated for the C1, Villarreal or Seville have been calm on the market. The Andalusians have, conversely, cashed the departure of several holders. For its part, despite the arrival of Tchouameni, Real Madrid failed to convince Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.
This loss of attractiveness has lasted for three years. As a direct consequence, La Liga is less spectacular than at the turn of the 2010s. The good European performances of Spanish clubs acted as a hiding place last year. With 951 goals, La Liga is the least prolific of the five major leagues, when it reached 1,118 goals in 2017. Its 53 minutes of effective playing time also rank it at the bottom of the pack.
Some teams like Betis or Barcelona are trying to produce play. But conversely, other teams get bogged down in a restrictive style that harms the general spectacle. Nothing indicates that the trend will be reversed for this new season.