Football Season Guide

Real Sociedad managed a 9th place finish last season after Eusebio Sacristan came in to steady a ship which was taking on water under the ill-fated David Moyes. Eusebio’s contract has been renewed and he will lead Sociedad into the 2016-17 campaign, where the aim will be to challenge for Europe as they have done on several occasions in the 21st century, even reaching the Champions League at their zenith. There is a lot of faith in the work Eusebio has been doing in San Sebastian. Competition will be fierce for the top six or seven places and La Real have not gone out and broken the bank in their pursuit of squad improvements. Last summer, they brought in two highly rated attacking players to take them onto the next level but both Bruma, during a loan spell from Galatasaray, and Jonathas, after a hugely successful stint at Elche, were disappointing at Anoeta. They have been moved on and in their place are two more modest names but Eusebio will be hoping Juanmi and Wilian Jose will have a better understanding of the demands in the Basque country. Juanmi’s move to Southampton didn’t really work out but we saw the calibre he possesses at Malaga and he could become a fans’ favourite. Wilian Jose ousted Sergio Araujo as the main striker at Las Palmas last term and they had a fantastic year after being promoted via the play-offs. Carlos Vela will have to offer a lot more than he did last season if he is going to justify a starting role, while Imanol Agirretxe will be a regular if he proves his dubitable fitness. The real revelation last season was young forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who looks like a real gem. Watching him progress even further in 2016-17 will be one of the most exciting prospects for the Donostian fans. Geronimo Rulli was also brilliant at the back end of last term in goal. He will miss the start of the campaign as he is representing Argentina at the Olympic games. A lot of big clubs have been sniffing around Rulli so Eusebio will be relieved if the transfer window shuts at the end of August and he is still on the roster. Apart from Juanmi and Wilian Jose, only reserve goalkeeper Tono Ramirez has been recruited, which means the manager will be relying on the old guard to show their best form. Vela has the potential to be special if he finds his shooting boots. Skipper Xabi Prieto is also a key figure owing to experience and his technical ability. The most intriguing development in midfield, perhaps, will concern David Zurutuza, who was excellent in the final months of the 2015-16 campaign after convincing Eusebio he was a worthy regular. If he maintains that level, he could become the star of Sociedad’s midfield.