You would have been forgiven if you had to look twice when Ever Banega’s €2.5m transfer was announced. In a today’s transfer market, where exorbitant transfer fees have become the norm, Sevilla may have just pulled off the coup of the summer.
For Sevilla it’s their Ivan Rakitic replacement, while the team looked solid against Real Madrid in the European Super Cup – especially during the second half – it was apparent they lacked organization in the centre of the park, particularly Rakitic’s penchant for keeping the midfield together when under duress. But for Banega the stakes may be even higher. Once regarded as one of the best midfielders in La Liga, if not all of Europe, it may be his final chance to revitalise an ailing career.
Banega’s La Liga career started in 2008 after his €20m transfer from Boca Juniors. He initially struggled to adapt and was subsequently loaned to Atletico Madrid. There he went through some growing pains but by the time he arrived back at the Mestalla for the start of the 2009-2010 season he was a different player.
Banega enjoyed a successful spell over the next two years as Valencia finished third in 2010-2011 earning them direct qualification to the Champions League. Yet, things would go south for Banega the next year when he suffered multiple long term injuries including a freak car accident. He would go onto miss the remainder of the 2012-2013 campaign.
Things didn’t improve last year either, he fell out with management and was eventually loaned back to his childhood club Newell’s Old Boys where he played 14 times. But Banega’s problems in Spain have mostly stemmed from his immaturity.
Since his arrival at Valencia he’s been involved in numerous incidents from being caught driving through a red-light, to showing up intoxicated at practice. Despite all his faults however Banega would still occasionally put in excellent shifts at the center of the park, teasing fans of Los Che as to what could come.
Banega is a mad genius, unfortunately more mad than genius these days but at after just turning 26 a couple of months ago he is at a precipice that could determine the arc of the rest of his career. On formhe can do it all, he’s a technical marvel, his ball retention is excellent and he’s no slouch on the defensive side either. He’s the consummate midfield general, one of the few players worldwide who boast that almost innate ability to completely dominate the centre of midfield.
Sevilla has had an excellent transfer window despite their big losses in Rakitic and Alberto Moreno, the latter transferring to Liverpool last week. They’ve retooled well and are perhaps even deeper than last year.
Banega is joining a competitive team who’ll have their eyes set on another deep Europa League run and a Champions League berth. He’ll also be joining his former coach Unai Emery who was able to get the best out of Banega during his time at the Mestalla. This time next year we could either be talking about him as the comeback player of the season, or conversely wondering if he’ll ever be able to put his talent to good use.
