In: Shon Weissman (Real Valladolid), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor), Gerard Gumbau (free, Elche), Jesus Vallejo (loan, Real Madrid), Gonzalo Villar (Roma), Wilson Manafa (Porto)
Loan returns: Adrian Butzke (Pacos Ferreira), Alpha Diounkou (Barca Atletic), Isma Ruiz (Ibiza), Antonin (Anorthosis Famagusta), Matias Arezo (Penarol), Pepe Sanchez (Deportivo La Coruna)
Out: Erick Cabaco and Jonathan Silva (Getafe), Pol Lozano (Espanyol), Quini, Ruben Rochina and Jorge Molina (free)
Summary so far: There are a few familiar faces in this Granada side, who like Alaves are back after just a single season away. Managed by Paco Lopez, known to many as the face of a rather attractive Levante side, Granada won Segunda last season and for many deservedly so.
Veteran Jose Callejon and Myrto Uzuni led the attack, the second best in the division, while Ignasi Miquel and Miguel Rubio anchored the defence, the (joint) second-best in the division. Callejon managed 10 assists, while Uzuni was responsible for 23 goals – their survival passes through those two, with valuable contributions to come from Antonio Puertas in attack.
Gerard Gumbau has dotted around the lower half of the La Liga table for much of his career, and there’s a reason, even if some of those sides have gone down. He is solid if unspectacular at La Liga level. We’re reluctant to call Vallejo the same. Last time he was on loan he faced pretty stiff competition for a starting spot, but neither was he entirely convincing when he was in the side – nevertheless, if your depth has a Champions League medal, you aren’t complaining.
They have lost the experience of Jorge Molina, Quini and Ruben Rochina. Granada still have the likes of Victor Diaz and Raul Fernandez in goal though, while Carlos Neva like much of this squad, have shown they can do it in Primera before. Shon Weissman’s loan deal was made permanent for €3.5m after winning promotion, as is the case for Diedhiou, which gives them depth up front. The exits of Cabaco and Silva mean Paco Lopez might wonder about finding some more depth at the back.
The signing of Villar is one we really like. Creative and with a point to prove, he has bounced around a few loan spells, but now at Granada permanently that might be the confidence and continuity he needs. Paco Lopez did not spend too much bringing him in either.
In the background, a sale to a new group of American owners is underway, which adds a degree of uncertainty, and could potentially mess with their plans this summer.
Key Need: Granada have depth up front, but they do not have confidence. Weissman’s signing from Real Valladolid looked like a good idea at the time – proven Segunda goalscorer to get them up, if he does the business, we’ll put our faith in him in Primera where La Pucela didn’t. Yet he managed just one goal in 13 matches, while Diedhiou played 154 minutes and didn’t score in 10 appearances before they spent half a million euros on him.
This matters less when you have Uzuni scoring goals for fun, but those moves in January were a clear sign that Lopez did not feel he had a natural number nine he could rely on. If they go into La Liga without bringing in another forward, Granada are asking him to have blind faith that the pair of January recruits will come good. The fact Lopez started teenager Samu Omorodion was as much desperation as perhaps a nod to his board.
Beneath the Surface: Granada have done as advised, bringing in someone sturdy in midfield in Gerard Gumbau – hence a forward has gone to the top of the list.
Granada might also appreciante themselves bringing in a midfielder with some personality to go alongside Gumbau. Someone comfortable taking the ball under pressure, and playing out and forward towards their front line. Those players are hard to come by, but could partner Gumbau very well if they get it right.
