Coach: Victor Sanchez
Key Signings: Cani, Fernando Navarro, Fede Cartabia
Key Sales: Helder Postiga, Isaac Cuenca
Last Season: 17th
This Season [predicted finish]: 13th
Predicted finish is the average prediction of the Football Espana team.
Every season presents itself with a great-escape story, and Deportivo La Coruna’s last term was no different. Needing to emerge with a result at the home of League champions Barcelona on the final day of the campaign, they did just that, Diego Salomao scoring a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw. Nonetheless, they will want to experience similar euphoria without such drama in 2015-16.
The return of former player Victor Sanchez as Coach in April certainly provided Deportivo with the necessary inspiration to stay up, but he will know better than anyone that his sole presence will not be enough to establish the team in La Liga. Consequently, the club have embarked on a significant recruitment drive this summer, with experience being the buzzword in their dealings.
Among numerous arrivals, those of Cani and Fernando Navarro are most noteworthy. Cani may not have been capped at international level, but almost 400 appearances for the likes of Real Zaragoza, Villarreal – and even Atletico Madrid for the last six months of 14-15 – should not be scoffed at. Although 33 now, the playmaker has never been reliant on athleticism.
Navarro, meanwhile, arrives on the back of captaining Sevilla to Europa League glory for back-to-back campaigns. His legs may not be what they once were, but the Catalan remains a competent left-back at this level and offers suitable cover in central defence. Either way, both players have arrived on free transfers and are sure to lend their experience for the greater good.
Elsewhere, Depor successfully negotiated permanent deals for winger Lucas Perez, Costa Rica’s 2014 World Cup hero Celso Borges and Wigan Athletic loanee Oriol Riera – all of whom played their part last season, especially Perez for his six goals, including the vital finish to initiate the first step of their comeback at Camp Nou. An injection of pace and penetration on the wings has also arrived via Fede Cartabia.
More Bosman signings have arrived in the shape of attacking midfielders Pedro Mosquera and Faycal Fajr, Depor taking full advantage of Elche’s demotion to La Segunda, while centre-back Alejandro Arribas will be hoping to bounce back from his injury-stricken spell at Sevilla. Last but not least, the time has come for Luis Alberto – a loan signing from Liverpool – to finally realise his top-flight potential.
Better yet, Depor have managed to remove plenty of deadwood from their squad, with Helder Postiga and Isaac Cuenca moving on to India and Turkey respectively. Big things were expected of the latter, coming from Barca, but he will now look to resurrect his career at Bursaspor after injuries eventually caught up with his progress.
Although avoiding relegation will again be the priority, Depor should now have enough in their locker to begin venturing up the table. Expect a bright start to tail off, with the intensity of a League campaign taking its toll on older heads, but signs of progression by turning a relegation scrap into the comforts of mid-table will be considered a success by Brancoazuis faithful.
