More than two months have passed since the transfer window did what it does best and slammed shut.
That may not be enough time to erect statues or get the pitchforks out from the garage, but by now we can form opinions about moves without jerking our knees.
GONCALO GUEDES
Many expected Valencia to make a quantum leap given their transfer dealings, but they’ve fallen flat before taking a single step.
Chief surprise to all this is Goncalo Guedes, as Los Che even wrangled a try-before-you-buy out of PSG before pulling the trigger for €40m.
Indeed Guedes was nothing short of fantastic last year, drumming up five goals and nine assists predominately from the left, but the 21-year-old has been zapped of any inspiration in his second season.
A three-week injury lay-off during October didn’t help and nor has Valencia’s general malaise, hovering above the La Liga relegation zone after a bewildering eight draws from just 12 games.
But the very best rise above their situation and though the Portugal international may still be a worthy investment, it’d be reassuring to see some early dividends.
STAT ATTACK: 01 assist, zero goals in 355 La Liga minutes this season.
THOMAS LEMAR
There’s no sense in writing off this boy’s talent, either, yet his move to Atletico Madrid was a real head-scratcher before he had even taken his first instruction from new drill sergeant Diego Simeone.
Simeone’s preferred 4-4-2 system loads defensive demands on his wide players, which is why the ultra-diligent Koke is often stationed on the left. Koke’s injury troubles would seemingly have given Lemar a clear run but, if not benched, he’s one of the first starter to be beckoned there early in the second half.
For €70m, a figure that busted Atletico’s transfer record by a cavernous margin, he has somewhat flattered to deceive.
There have been spurts of brilliance, namely a brace against Getafe, but as soon as he plays a team with a little more about them the 23-year-old barely makes a ripple.
Lemar has been bestowed with otherworldly technique and balance, and by all accounts has worked extremely hard since his move. But, freed from such a regimented formation and instead one of the prongs in a 4-3-3, how much better would he look?
STAT ATTACK: 0.8 – a winger who averages less than one cross per game.
MALCOM
At least Guedes and Lemar have been featuring for their clubs. Barcelona destroyed their relationship with Roma in order to gazump them with a €40m offer for Malcom, and we have nary heard a peep from him since the Brazilian set Twitter ablaze.
The former Bordeaux flyer is another who has undoubted talent but may be a piece for the wrong jigsaw. Barcelona are caught between accommodating the naturally more pragmatic Ernesto Valverde and a philosophy that demands excitement and flat-out dominance.
In Valverde’s mind there is only room for one man to transcend his structure. Sadly for Malcom, that man is Lionel Messi. When the Barca icon fractured his arm it was indicative that the steady Rafinha, and not Malcom or even Ousmane Dembele, got the nod. Discipline and error-free football takes precedence.
Malcom is riveting but rash, explosive but over-exuberant. And having waited patiently, his first La Liga start will be a millstone around his neck – it was the 4-3 nightmare against Real Betis. Sadly, at Barca his future is perhaps the bleakest out of those on this list.
STAT ATTACK: 91 minutes in all competitions so far for Barcelona.
YURI BERCHICHE
Athletic Bilbao’s season has been nothing short of calamitous three months in, and Yuri Berchiche has been the class clown.
Some of it hasn’t been self-inflicted. Manager Eduardo Berizzo, in his wisdom, tried to convert the left-back into a winger upon his €19m from Paris Saint-Germain. It could have gone better.
Despite being an ever present in La Liga, while bouncing between defence and attack, Berchiche has mustered just one goal and zero assists – and Athletic just one win in total.
The 28-year-old could be forgiven for having gone through some teething pains. Then he bared his teeth in front of an official. He was sent off AFTER the 3-2 defeat to Atletico for haranguing the referee over decisions, and his discipline was already in question on four yellow cards for the season.
The only way is up?
STAT ATTACK: 03 game ban for altercation with referee after defeat to Atletico.
QUINCY PROMES
It is odd that Sevilla have an entrant on this list given their punching-above-weight act this season, which has placed them a point off leaders Barcelona.
But it’s a case of from Russia without very much luck so far for Quincy Promes, Spartak Moscow’s prize jewel for the past four years. At Sevilla he is one of many and he’s rather far down the queue.
There’s Wissam Ben Yedder and Andre Silva, both of whom have been lethal in front of goal. There’s also Luis Muriel, signed from the same fee last season but without setting the world alight either.
His versatility right across the forward line is certainly an asset in Promes’ corner but there’s little need for Pablo Machin to shake up a winning formula. The Dutchman may only get better if Sevilla get worse.
STAT ATTACK: 07 La Liga substitute appearances and just two starts since his move.
