La Liga: Q & A on all things from La Masia, underperforming teams to potential starlets

With there being no La Liga fixtures last weekend because of the evil international break I thought I’d ask for your questions via Twitter (@GaffneyVLC – if you’d like more of me in your life) on everything related to Spanish football. It’s been impossible to answer all the questions sent to me but if your query isn’t answered here then over the course of today and tomorrow morning I’ll respond on Twitter instead. Okay, let’s do this.

@_TWFAM asks, “Will the new TV deal equally divide the money amongst the Spanish clubs like it’s done in the BPL?”

It’s kind of a yes and no answer. Yes, the money is going to be divided more equally than it was before. But no, as there’s still a large difference between what the top teams earn compared to those nearer the bottom. It’s worth remembering that Real Madrid and Barcelona only agreed to the deal as long as they didn’t earn less than they do under the current agreement – and that is over double what the likes of even Valencia and Atletico are set to pocket. It’s a step in the right direction to preserve the status of clubs in La Liga, especially those in the bottom half, but the equality that the Premier League currently enjoys is still a long, long way off. Rome wasn’t built in a day though, right?

@sean_mcfc asks, “Which players do you see becoming world class that don’t currently play for the top 3 clubs?”

Good question. It’s obviously hard to predict which players will fulfil their potential and reach a level deemed by most to be world class, even more so when there’s still debate amongst some whether Griezmann is in that bracket – he is, by the way.

I think Sevilla have a couple of potential world class players in Konoplyanka and Krychowiak. The former has performed at a high level consistently for 2-3 years now but sadly would need a move to an elite club to be considered world class. Krychowiak hasn’t really got going this season but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him get a big move over the next 12 months and greater recognition either. He was phenomenal last year and was closely monitored by Arsenal this summer. Andre Gomes at Valencia is another potential star. He even attracted a bid from Chelsea back in January but decided it wasn’t the right time to move.

There are plenty of young players such as Isaac Success, Zakaria Bakkali, Dani Ceballos and Jose Luis Gaya that could make it to that level also but it’s too soon to say. Gaya is the furthest down the line of those mentioned.

@simongoldsays asks, “Does La Liga have the same issues as the BPL re: the development of young players in favour of expensive imports? If not, why?”

On the whole I’d have to say no, they don’t have the same problems as their BPL counterparts. The reasons are various but one of the key differences relates to the money available to mid-to-low table sides. Investing in youth is a long-term investment but it’s far too easy for the likes of Stoke and Sunderland to splash out £10m on a new player. A side like Getafe can’t do that so only have one option: create their own stars.

The teams at the top do the same but obviously with a greater reach. Either way, you’ll notice there’s a clear philosophy in most sides as to how the team should play and youngsters learn that as they go up through the ranks. Most sides know if they produce someone capable of playing at the highest level he’ll be sold but the money goes right back into finding the next gem. The TV money deal should help maintain this practice.

@TagNineFive asks, “What is your opinion on Barça’s handling of La Masia stars?”

It’s disappointing to see but at the same time, it’s worth remembering that the majority of last season’s Barça B side greatly underperformed. There were issues from the boardroom, to the coaching staff as well as with the players themselves. It was a huge mess essentially. Alen Halilovic needed to play week in, week out so it made sense he was loaned out to Sporting Gijon. Adama moving to Aston Villa had me scratching my head, as they clearly knew Pedro wanted out too. Grimaldi could have left on loan but decided to stay, preferring to revise his options at the end of the season – when his contract expires. Sergi Samper has been “the next big thing” for the past 2-3 seasons yet appears unable to make the step up, or isn’t trusted enough. The signings of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will make it even harder for certain youngsters to step up. I don’t think it’s the end of La Masia but the transfer ban has caused the club to panic and in turn dealt a slap in the face to those expecting to be given a chance to impress.

[Also from Tag] “What do you think about Sevilla and Valencia’s relatively poor starts to the league?”

It’s probably tough on the fans, especially after both sides finished on such highs last time around but there are logical reasons behind the stuttering starts. Valencia lost Diego Alves, Nicolas Otamendi and Andre Gomes from their line-up and all three were key members of the squad. Alves commanded his area and Otamendi was the unofficial captain, leading by example at both ends of the pitch. Andre Gomes was the creative spark in midfield as Parejo tended to run from deep when not dictating the tempo of the game while Enzo Perez had more defensive duties. That’s essentially the spine of the squad and one which had one of the best defensive records in the league.

Sevilla have also suffered a raft of injuries at the back. They lost keeper Beto (although Sergio Rico is better) as well as centre backs Daniel Carriço, Adil Rami and Nicolas Pareja. New signing Sergio Escudero has been ruled out for the season and that didn’t help a side which was already attempting to offset the losses of Carlos Bacca and Aleix Vidal. Unai Emery was cautious about throwing some of his new signings into the mix from the start but the team appears to have turned a corner now after beating Barcelona before the international break.

The biggest difference between the two is arguably the atmosphere around the clubs. At Valencia there have already been whistles and boos for Nuno (and players seen as ‘his’ like Rodrigo Moreno), with a few fans calling for him to leave – he isn’t helped by the boardroom struggles which were largely swept to one side while the side was winning. At Sevilla it’s the complete opposite. The fans perhaps weren’t happy with the start but continued to back both Emery and the players throughout and there was no talk of drastic action needing to be taken.

@MeCrazyMatt asks, “What do you think of Eibar? I thought they didn’t have the quality to stay up but they are doing great thus far.”

The answer is probably within that question – people didn’t expect them to be much cop this season and the one thing you don’t do is take Eibar lightly. It’s been a strange summer after they were saved from relegation thanks to Elche’s financial struggles but that decision has reinvigorated those that remained at the club They had a fine transfer window and while others were struggling to get up to speed, Eibar came flying out of the tracks.

Last season they did the same before having one of the worst second halves to a campaign I can remember. They aren’t going to challenge for the top 6-8 places but no one expects them to either. Retaining their place in the league is all that matters and anything else would be a bonus. They are a really tough side to beat, especially at home.

@FollowBeebs asks, “What’s Rodrigo de Paul’s situation? Will he be moving?”

Unfortunately de Paul is outside the first XI due to some poor displays in the opening two La Liga fixtures. With Andre Gomes being out, Valencia looked for De Paul to step up and be the creative hub linking midfield and attack. It didn’t work and the player struggled to stamp any kind of authority onto the side. He lost his place to the returning Andre Gomes and on his more natural left flank, Bakkali and Piatti have pushed ahead of him in the pecking order. He’s a real talent and everyone at Valencia knows that, so I don’t expect him to be moving anywhere. He should get games fairly soon as Valencia continue to be hit & miss in the league while balancing the demand of Champions League football.

Apologies if I didn’t answer your question here but remember to keep an eye out on Twitter instead. The good news is that La Liga is back next week. I’ll be attending the late Saturday game at the Mestalla, first time I’ve been there this season. Check back here on Monday for a review of all the action.