Outside90’s series of 2015-16 La Liga team previews continues as Dave Blackmore examines the fortunes of Villarreal CF.
Summer Transfers
The transfer window began with El Submarino Amarillo waving goodbye to their entire forward line. Luciano Vietto moved to Atletico Madrid in a transfer worth a reported €15 million, Giovanni Dos Santos joined Steven Gerrard at LA Galaxy, while Ikechukwu Uche signed with Mexican side Tigres UANL. He may have taken longer to leave than his cohorts, but 23-year-old Gerard Moreno also departed El Madrigal to join Espanyol.
Last seasons stand-out player Denis Cheryshev returned to Real Madrid after his loan spell with Villarreal and although there was talk of him spending another year with the Yellow Submarine, nothing has since materialised.
In their places has come a brand new striking team. Roberto Soldado joined from Tottenham after two disappointing seasons in the Premier League, Cedric Bakambu comes from Bursaspor after one successful season in the Turkish top flight, while Leo Baptistao joins on loan from Atletico Madrid. Malaga pair Samuel Garcia and Samu Castillejo arrive at the Estadio El Madrigal for a combined fee of €15 million.
Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has joined on loan from PSG, while Mariano Barbosa, also a gloveman, returns for his second spell with Villarreal.
Last Season
The 2014-15 La Liga season saw Villarreal finish in sixth on the La Liga table. Injuries plagued the squad, most notably to captain Bruno Sorriano, derailing their bid for a top four position.
Last season’s final standings were almost a carbon copy of that of the 2013-14 season. Villarreal ended with one point more (60pts vs 59pts in 2013-14), but in the same position overall. The departed forwards struggled for goals last season, scoring only 48, while fifth placed Sevilla scored 70.
Manager
Marcelino Garcia Toral will begin his third season in charge of the Yellow Submarine and will be looking to improve on his two sixth placed finishes.
The 50-year-old former midfielder employs a rigid 4-4-2, with attacking impetus coming from speed on the wings and in front of goal. Under Marcelino, Villarreal have become a counter-attacking team, able to find goals quickly on the break, with tough central-midfield captain Bruno disrupts the opponent’s flow.
Strengths
Forwards Baptistao, Bakambu and Soldado, with support from wingers Castillejo, Samuel and Matias Nahuel will provide a direct route to goal. Bakambu proved his electric pace in Turkey and that will come to the fore in his new surroundings. Baptistao and Castillejo have already shown in preseason an understanding of each other’s movements and that will only grow throughout the season.
The leadership of Bruno will be monumental to Villarreal’s success this season. Entering his ninth year with the Yellow Submarine, his experience will be needed to help what is a relatively young side.
[interaction id=”55d561a385f6552d75128bf7″]
Weaknesses
Defensively Villarreal still have room for improvement. Victor Ruiz joined permanently after impressing on loan last season, likely to be partnered in the middle by 21-year-old Eric Bailly, who is an Ivory Coast international but still has a lot of room for improvement. It will be an interesting battle between Bailly and Mateo Musacchio for the starting position, once the Argentine returns from injury.
Key Player
Samu Castillejo will be looking to have his breakout season with Villarreal in 2015-16. Still only 20-years of age, the Spanish right-winger will be paramount to everything the Yellow Submarine do going forward. His pace and trickery are what led Marcelino to splash out €8 million on the youth international, but will need to add a better final product to enhance his game.
His performances in preseason have been stellar so far, and if he can continue those displays into the new La Liga campaign, Villarreal may soon have a confirmed superstar on their hands.
Best XI (4-4-2) – Areola; Mario, Ruiz, Bailly, Costa; Castillejo, Bruno, Trigueros, Nahuel; Baptistao, Bakambu
Prediction
Villarreal will do everything in their might to push for that lucrative top four berth. It is unlikely the top three will be anyone other than Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, so the eyes will be set firmly on finishing in fourth.
Look for the Yellow Submarine to be battling it out with Valencia, Sevilla and Bilbao for the spot, and all the rewards that come with Champions League qualification
This Villarreal outfit is a young team, which bodes well for the future, but 2015-16 may be one season too early for this group to really fire. Yet under the tutelage of Marcelino, look for the Yellow Submarine to go one better than last season and finish in fifth in the league. Keep an eye out for them in the Copa Del Rey, however, as the previous semi-final exit could provide a platform for major success in the cup competition.
Predicted finish – 5th
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
