In: Javi Munoz (Eibar), Sandro Ramirez (Huesca), Christian Herrera (Ibiza), Munir El Haddadi (free, Getafe), Aaron Escandell (Cartagena), Daley Sinkgraven (free, Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Araujo (loan, Barcelona), Marvin Park (Real Madrid), Mika Marmol (Andorra), Sory Kaba (FC Midtjylland)
Loan returns: Oscar Pinchi (Mirandes)
Out: Marvin Park (Real Madrid Castilla), Vitolo (Atletico Madrid), Loren Moron (Real Betis), Alvaro Jimenez (Cadiz), Joel del Pino, Sidnei (free, Ceara), Oscar Clemente (Levante), Florin Andone (free, Eldense), Wilfried Kaptoum (free, AEK Larnaca), Alex Dominguez (Toulouse), Unai Veiga (free), Wilfried Kaptoum (free)
Summary so far: Las Palmas had the best defence in Segunda last year, which tells you that former Barcelona coach Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta perhaps prioritised nice football and possession, but above all control. Going up a division means they will likely lose that much more often, and they will need some pieces in order to offset that.
Sandro Ramirez was their joint-top scorer last season, with just seven goals, and his deal has been made permanent. His La Liga experience, hard running and power will be useful. Christian Herrera adds depth up front, while Javi Munoz is a useful creative in the middle. Munir is a curious player, who doesn’t quite have a position at the age of 27, but is always handy to have around in the bottom half.
Aaron Escandell has been brought in to cover the loss of Alex Dominguez in goal, while in fairness, they have done a solid job of addressing their full-back areas. Sinkgraven comes in from Leverkusen, and should be an upgrade, while Araujo from Barcelona is something of an unknown quantity in La Liga. Nevertheless, they are on paper good pick-ups for a weaker area – something that had been highlighted here as a need in the first version of the analysis. Marvin Park is back, and he was used at right-back last season while on loan, but presumbly either Alvaro Lemos will leave or one of the three will be used elsewhere.
Mika Marmol looks a good signing in defence. Quick and excellent on the ball, he fits Garcia Pimienta like a glove, but will be asked to deal with more physical forwards in La Liga.
Sory Kaba has come in from Danish football, but does have previous experience in Spain after a spell with Elche. He has never been prolific in his career, but will provide a reference point up front.
Yet the exits list currently looks far more significant. A total of nine players left, and while none are irreplaceable, that sort exodus needs some serious addressing.
Key Need: It’s the age old conundrum of just how much of Las Palmas’ resources should they dedicate to the number 9 position? It’s true that Joselu Mato hit at least 14 goals for Alaves and Espanyol in the last two seasons, and both still went down. Yet with their current options up front, and bearing in mind Las Palmas only managed 49 goals from 42 games in Segunda, they probably do need someone to come in and give them goal threat.
Jonathan Viera, Alberto Moleiro and Enzo Loiodice perhaps make an argument that midfield is their strongest position. The former two in particular are creative and will make chances, but they need someone with them to finish those off – sticking with just Sandro, Marc Cardona, Munir and Kaba would be expecting a significant jump forward. Kaba and Munir are both useful in their own ways, but none of their forward options have had a record of being prolific, and rarely have any of them hit double figures. Perhaps Las Palmas would rather higher floors and lower ceilings, but that does require them to be assured at the back.
There is of course that question of resources, but it is the brave side that goes into a top division without someone they feel is good for at least double figures. It’s been a while for any of the forwards you care to name.
Beneath the Surface: Garcia Pimienta’s contract was up this summer, and the best business President Miguel Angel Ramirez has done was renewing his deal with interest from elsewhere. Given the number of exits though, you would assume he signed on with assurances. This squad needs a good deal of recruits to at the very least allow Garcia Pimienta some options next season.
The Canary Islanders have now signed Marmol, who should give them sufficient, theoretically, quality in central defence, our original assessment here.
Now we’re looking at their central midfield and wondering if behind Jonathan Viera, they might want someone with a little more La Liga experience in the building.
