In: Nikola Maras (Almeria), Rafa Marin (loan, Real Madrid), Antonio Blanco (Real Madrid), Ander Guevara (Real Sociedad), Kike Garcia (free, Osasuna), Giuliano Simeone (loan, Atletico Madrid), Andoni Gorosabel (Real Sociedad)
Loan Returns: Abdallahi Mahmoud (NK Istra)
Out: Asier Villalibre (loan, Athletic Club), Rober Gonzalez (loan, Real Betis), Antonio Blanco (loan, Real Madrid), Anderson Arroyo (loan, Liverpool Sub-21), Toni Moya and Ruben Duarte (free), Taichi Hara (Kyoto Sanga), Florian Lejeune (Rayo Vallecano), Victor Laguardia (free)
Summary so far: Alaves returned to La Liga at the first time of asking, at the hand of Luis Garcia Plaza, who has plenty of experience taking teams up to the top division. He has had more issues staying there of late, but is unlikely to have major backing from the board. It looks as if Luis Garcia will be asked to make more magic, with a couple of handy loan deals and one or two additions.
Bringing in Maras permanently from Almeria is a handy addition in the middle of defence, which will ensure continuity there. He will compete with Aleksandar Sedlar and Abdel Abqar for a place. Promising Real Madrid defender Rafa Marin has arrived on loan, but has big boots to fill in those of Victor Laguardia, who was captain and had spent the last 9 years at the club.
Looking at their squad, a selection of those four next to Nahuel Tenaglia at right-back, in front of Antonio Sivera, looks like their best bet. All of that backline, with the exception of Maras, have La Liga experience. Lejeune has moved back to Rayo, but they were also the fourth-best defence in Segunda last year – without major firepower available, the defence will need to step up again.
Further forward, Luis Rioja is the star of the show, with 10 goals and 5 assists last season, he is their danger man out wide. Former Real Sociedad midfielder Jon Guridi is a handy player, as is Andoni Gorosabel. He has never had a season as the undisputed starter, and if they can get him flying forward, that’s a genuine weapon, particularly if paired with Rioja. Ander Guevara and Antonio Blanco have both arrived too, adding more legs, and solid La Liga play. They are able to cope with the rigours of the league, the question will be over whether they can show that extra bit of quality.
The front line has been somewhat dramatic. Giuliano Simeone came in on loan, but a week before the season started broke his leg in a friendly, and once again Los Babazorros look a little short up top. Osasuna veteran Kike Garcia has arrived, and not a moment too soon. His know-how and ability to lead a line will make him crucial – he’s a hard-working forward who will demand plenty of his teammates.
Key Need: This won’t be the first time you read this assessment, but Alaves really need a striker. Outside of Rioja, the top goalscorer was Moussa Sylla or Asier Villalibre with 6. Without major goalscoring potential, Garcia Plaza could do with a larger striker capable of leading the line, scoring enough goals, and creating some havoc for the opposition. Yes, we have just described Joselu Mato, but he has bigger fish to fry this season. With a little over a month to go, this is yet to be addressed. And yes, Garcia does kind of fit that mould.
Surprisingly he has just 13 goals over the last two seasons though, and it doesn’t seem to much to ask for someone with a little more technique than Miguel de la Fuente and Sylla to partner Garcia, or if they pull off a coup, to lead the line with Garcia as an alternative.
Beneath the Surface: Rioja’s form and figures were highly impressive last season, but he was carrying plenty of weight too. Adding another creative force out wide or behind the striker would really help both Rioja and Alaves, diverting the attention of defenders, as well as supplying them with someone else to give the ball to when they either need to hang onto it, or need make things happen.
In general, it is not fair to expect major additions or big money moves, but you could imagine fans want a little bit more technique to go with their stout and competitive team.
