Coach: Quique Sanchez Flores
Key signings: Jose Antonio Reyes, Jose Manuel Jurado, Martin Demichelis, Leo Baptistao, Robert, Javi Fuego, Pablo Piatti
Key sales: Marco Asensio
Last season: 13th
This season (predicted finish): 11th
Espanyol’s 2015-16 campaign ended in mid-table safety, but it was only achieved by late wins against Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Eibar and the poor performance of those teams below them in the fight for survival. Then came the first summer of Chinese ownership.
Securing Quique Sanchez Flores as Coach has been the most significant act by Espanyol since the end of last term as the former Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Watford boss will surely bring experience, character and pedigree to a side in dire need of all three.
Constanin Galca’s five-month spell at the helm in 2016 did little to convince the club of his abilities, despite his success with Los Periquitos as a player, and Sanchez Flores, following his exit from Watford, was quickly snapped up as the Romanian’s replacement.
The additions of Jose Antonio Reyes and Jose Manuel Jurado to the squad will inject much-needed quality in attack, if not legs, after Marco Asensio’s return to Real Madrid. Reyes left Sevilla no longer a key player, but he still has the goal threat to be an asset in Barcelona.
Martin Demichelis is also a very astute signing. A defender with huge experience in Spanish football, the Argentine veteran will look to help nurture young defender Victor Alvarez. It has also been rumoured that Sanchez Flores may look to raid Watford again for certain players he rated during his time in England, including Valon Behrami and Miguel Britos.
The aim for Espanyol this season will be to consolidate their mid-table placing, although if things improve under the ex-Real Madrid defender then they could look to push up the table. Sides such as Deportivo La Coruna have also strengthened this summer, and Espanyol will be keeping a watchful eye on their immediate rivals.
The primary concern for Sanchez Flores, however, will be the lack of goals. Felipe Caicedo was the Catalans’ top scorer in La Liga last season with just eight. They were linked with Jese Rodriguez of Real Madrid over the summer, but he instead opted for a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Leo Baptistao has the platform to prove he can be a prolific La Liga striker.
Other than that, the creativity of Hernan Perez and tenacity of Papakouli Diop will once more be vital in midfield. Espanyol have also been in fine form during preseason, beating Dutch duo Almere City and Excelsior, before drawing with Premier League outfits Southampton and Everton.
Sanchez Flores will be hoping these results help his team to hit the ground running in their opening League game against Europa League winners Sevilla on August 20.
