As the international break comes to an end, domestic football returns to Spain this weekend.
Seven games into the La Liga season, a number of new faces have impressed after more than 500 million euros was spent in the summer transfer window.
While some clubs spent just a fraction of that, it hasn’t stopped them from unearthing some gems.
Here, Sport360 selects five of the best signings in La Liga so far this season.
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DANIEL WASS (Celta Vigo)
The midfielder has quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite by slotting into the side as Michael Krohn-Dehli’s replacement. Wass has given Celta a fine range of passing and control in the centre of the pitch since arriving. But, it’s his energy and dynamism which complement Pablo Hernandez and Augusto Fernandez, while making Eduardo Berizzo’s side more dangerous.
His ability to press high up the pitch allows Celta to win the ball back as quickly as possible, aiding their counter-attacking style that undid Barcelona in their 4-1 defeat to the Galicians.
Wass is known as a free-kick specialist and though none have yet flown into the top corner for Celta, the Dane has chipped in with two goals and founf himself in the box regularly. That drive should see him add a few more throughout the season.
ROBERTO SOLDADO (Villarreal)
Soldado is bouncing back from this nightmare spell at Tottenham with a new lease of life. In England, he was required to play as a lone striker, a role that forced Soldado to come short, go wide and hold the ball up all at the same time. At Villarreal though, he’s being asked to play closer to goal and utilise his ability as a potent finisher.
From seemingly losing that killer touch in front of goal, the Spaniard has rediscovered his finishing instincts and is undoubtedly looking sharper and hungrier. His two goals to date – a touch and low drive into the bottom corner from a long pass against Real Betis on debut, followed by an exquisite volley at home to Espanyol – are an indication that his confidence has returned.
CRISTIANO PICCINI (Real Betis)
He may be the lesser known of the division’s Cristianos but Piccini’s bursts down Real Betis’ right flank and pinpoint crosses have been causing havoc in La Liga this season. The 23-year-old understands how important the attacking aspect of his game is to the Verdiblancos, providing a constant outlet out wide, and his performances are one of the main reasons Betis find themselves sitting eighth in the table.
Despite being 6ft, Piccini is very comfortable on the ball and that, combined with his pace, makes his marauding runs difficult to halt. His stature is beneficial when defending too and the Italian is typically tough.
ALEN HALILOVIC
When asked if he could be the next Lionel Messi after similarities were drawn between him and The Barcelona star, Halilovic responded: “Impossible. Messi is the best player ever. No one plays or will play like him.” Halilovic’s performance at youth level led to heady comparisons but Barca believed the 19-year-old needed to mature so he was sent on loan to Sporting Gijon. There’s immense pressure given the comparisons, but he’s becoming his own player.
Having only featured as a substitute in two of Sporting’s first three matches, Halilovic is now regularly starting and flourishing. His dribbling ability is extremely penetrative, resulting in two superb assists and a stunning goal.
The creativity Sporting lacked early on has been addressed by the Croat’s presence and he is making Abelardo’s side much more fluid. For one so young, arguably the best thing about Halilovic’s performances is the responsibility he takes; always wanting the ball and trying to provide a spark or find a killer pass.
IAGO ASPAS (Celta Vigo)
Aspas is back home and back among the goals. The challenge for Apas this term was to show that those who didn’t trust him in the last two years were wrong and he’s certainly playing like a man with a point to prove. The forward has more minutes in the league for Celta in seven games than with Liverpool and Sevilla in the previous two campaigns and has already matched his Liverpool goal tally.
His aggression and tenacity has set the example for Celta’s pressing style, a key factor in their unbeaten start to the season. This was most notable against Barcelona, when he harried the centre-backs all night and resulted in him scoring the team’s second goal after dispossessing Gerard Pique on the half-way line. Aspas’ superb attitude is being rewarded in the final third with four goals so far.
