In: Hamari Traore (Rennes), Andre Silva (loan, RB Leipzig)
Loan returns: Jon Karrikaburu (Leganes)
Out: Asier Illarramendi (free), Alexander Sorloth (RB Leipzig), Modibo Sagnan (Utrecht), Roberto Lopez (Tenerife), Portu (Getafe), Ander Guevara (Alaves), David Silva (retired)
Summary so far: Sporting Director Roberto Olabe has gained something of a reputation for doing things well in recent years, as have Real Sociedad in recent years, and with good reason. One of their problem positions last year was right-back, with Andoni Gorosabel never holding the spot down convincingly, and Aritz Elustondo being forced out to right-back. So early doors La Real went out and brought in Traore, an experienced Ligue 1 and European starter for free.
Illarramendi’s loss is as much mental as it is technical, you would back their existing midfielders to fill his absence. Alexander Sorloth is highly thought of in Donostia-San Sebastian, despite not being prolific, due to his work-rate and absolute commitment. That was enough to get him a starting spot regularly, but Umar Sadiq will finally be recovered this campaign.
The loss of David Silva… Only the chosen few get to choose their retirement plans, but his anterior cruciate ligament injury feels particularly cruel, having led the club back to the Champions League, he will not have the pleasure of enjoying that reward.
Creatively, it’s also a massive blow. Benat Turrientes and Robert Navarro are promising talents, Brais Mendez was excellent in the early stages of last season, but La Real still played to a different rhythm with him on the pitch.
Having missed out on Sorloth, La Real went straight back to the RB Leipzig well of strikers, and signed Andre Silva. Sorloth is probably more of a handful for defenders, and works incredibly hard. Silva is perhaps more gifted technically, and has more of an eye for goal, but like Sadiq is coming off an injury too. Certainly a solid option as a back up, and if they get the goalscoring Silva, it’s a genius move. But there is little certainty in their return on investment with Silva.
Key Need: Before he joined Bayer Leverkusen, there were several reports that Alejandro Grimaldo had an offer from La Real this summer. The former Benfica left-back would have been competing with Aihen Munoz and Diego Rico, who has just had his contract extended. The pair of them mean that this is not a desperate issue, but in an already well-rounded squad, it is one that could make a lot of difference to them.
Aihen remains better with the ball than without, while Rico is at times erratic. With their Champions League money, they might consider investing in a long-term quality option there opposite Traore. So often in La Liga Imanol Alguacil has to find a way through a packed defence, and that generally means looking to full-backs more often.
The story goes that Rico will head to Getafe whenever the Txuri-Urdin tie up a deal for a new left-back. Having been linked to a variery of left-backs, Kieran Tierney no longer appears to be in the frame, but rather Sergio Reguilon. After just 113 minutes for Atletico Madrid last season, all parties will be hoping any return to La Liga is much more productive.
Beneath the Surface: You would like them to be a little less reliant on David Silva to make things tick, but you have to concede that the Txuri-Urdin are probably right to see Turrientes and Navarro battle it out to take the next step – Silva replacements tend to be quite pricey.
La Real got used to not having Silva around all the time last season, so it is not as if the newcomer would come in immediately and be asked to replicate his impact. Nevertheless, Real Sociedad were excellent last season, but still had patchy spells. Without Silva, questions will be asked about their ability to break down a defence.
Arsen Zakharyan appears to be the signing they will make in his position, and by all accounts, he is an excellent talent. He is young though, Real Sociedad’s strategy is based on signing players who will develop, but Silva’s loss will have an immediate impact.
