LaLiga: 2017 in review: The best goal, the best team, the best signing and many more

LaLiga made a triumphant return to our screens this past weekend so what better time than to review the best of 2017? Who were the best team? Which was the best match? Who scored the best goal? All those questions and more will be answered here.

Team of the Year – Real Madrid

I know what you’re thinking as you look at the current league table, how can Real Madrid be the team of the year? Well, that’s because, like many ‘awards’ handed out in Spain, I made a little exception for them. And I’m going to explain why.

For a side to win LaLiga, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup in a single season it deserves acknowledging. No ordinary side manages to win that amount of trophies. Sure, you can luck one, maybe two, but four? Now that takes some doing.

Real Madrid were all-conquering team for the first half of 2017. Even without Gareth Bale to call upon, Isco and Marco Asensio stepped up to help. Madrid boasted an ‘A’ and ‘B’ team capable of challenging the best in the world. Back to back Champions League titles for the first time in the competition’s history. And not having an easy run either, needing to get past Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

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Whilst the opening six months of this season has been a little more underwhelming it has still yielded a more than respectable amount of trophies. The Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup are all inside the Santiago Bernabeu’s trophy cabinet. Their LaLiga crown is no longer within reach but they are still in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. It feels strange to suggest they could win five trophies and still feel like the season was a disappointment.

Team of the Season – Barcelona

What a start to life for Barcelona under Ernesto Valverde. The pitchfolks were out for the board when he was officially appointed as the club’s first team coach. Every day there seemed to be a new crisis to deal with. Almost immediately, one of his star players was leaving. Neymar’s true reasons for moving to Paris might never be known. Was it the money, the fame or the chance to shine on his own stage? Whatever the reason, it was a dent to Valverde’s confidence. It made some even question whether Neymar left because of the appointment of former Athletic Club coach.

Yet if you glance over at the league table you begin to wonder whether you dreamt about all the summer madness. Ousmane Dembele was the biggest signing but he’s barely played because of a serious injury on his first league start. The board, which no one apparently likes, survived a petition to remove them from power. On top of that, they’re safely through to the knockout rounds of the Champions League. Where’s that crisis then?

I feel Valverde deserves a lot of credit for how he’s handling the situation. For many coaches, that toxic environment could’ve caused significant damage. What if the side were slipping down the table, the fans weren’t turning up and Lionel Messi wouldn’t commit his future to the club? Heads would be rolling all over the place. But Valverde is the calming influence Barcelona need. He’s confident of his plans, how he sets up his teams and the results are proof that it works.

Best Goal – Chema Rodriguez (Levante)

There are goals which stick in your memory for a lifetime. For me, growing up, it was about trying to emulate Tony Yeboah’s thumping strike which hit the underside of the crossbar and went in. There’s also the David Beckham goal from the halfway line. Even Wayne Rooney’s rocket against Newcastle when was he still angry at the referee for something. Goals which stand out as something special and break away from the norm.

Step forward, Chema Rodriguez.

Levante’s Morales was on wing, looking to pick out someone in the centre. With his options limited he sent the ball to the edge of the penalty area where Chema was waiting. The technique to get his foot over the ball and volley it into the top corner was sensational. The goalkeeper that day, Geronimo Rulli, could only turn and look as the shot flew past him and into the back of the net. Sensational.

Breakthrough Team – Getafe

Now there are a few teams which could’ve contested this award, such as Girona and Eibar, but I’ve opted for Getafe ahead of them – just.

My reasoning behind this is because everyone was convinced that Getafe would never return to LaLiga after being relegated. They didn’t have the fan base, nor the squad, to mount a comeback straight away. The club needed restructuring, to invest in youth, build towards a future and only then would they be ready for a top flight return. Or not.

An immediate return to LaLiga saw part one completed. But part two has seen them battle in a way we haven’t witnessed since Michael Laudrup was at the club. Victories over Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Valencia show they’re capable of mixing it up with some of the best teams in the division. Their away form still needs a little bit of work but they’re in a strong position to avoid relegation this year.

Bouncebackability Award – Valencia

When Valencia let Nuno Espirito Santo go and replaced him with Gary Neville, everyone was taken aback. Neville was a fine analyst, probably the best in England at the time, but his appointment as manager of Valencia was something of an experiment. An experiment which nearly resulted in destroying a football club. Relegation to the second tier in Spain was a very real possibility. After Neville it was Pako Ayestaran, another experiment, with largely similar results.

Then came Cesare Prandelli, the first real manager, but he wasn’t up to the task and imploded before he was pushed out of the door. Who could guide Valencia back to the top? Fans hoped that regular stand-in hero Voro would continue on but he made it clear that it wasn’t an option for him. Finally the club returned for Marcelino, Villarreal’s former coach, and we’re seeing quite the resurrection.

Without European football to contend with, Marcelino wanted a stronger squad but at the same time a smaller one. This saw some big earners leave such as Alvaro Negredo and Aymen Abdennour. They were replaced by younger stars like Goncalo Guedes, Jeison Murillo and Andreas Pereira. Marcelino also made sure places were available for the academy players to fight for as well.

Valencia ended the 2016/17 season in 12th place on 46 points with a -9 goal difference. At the halfway stage of the current campaign they are third in the table and scoring goals for fun. The title isn’t a realistic ambition but securing Champions League football is well within their grasp. What a turnaround for one of Spain’s great clubs.

Best Signing – Cristhian Stuani (Girona)

A lot of the bigger teams in the division have invested huge sums in players this season but the standout player for me is Girona’s Cristhian Stuani. Signed from relegated Middlesborough for a minimal fee, the Uruguayan international looks a completely different prospect now he’s back in LaLiga. Strong, powerful, he’s a real menace to the opposition’s backline and a serious goal threat. Exactly what Girona need.

Stuani is currently sitting on nine goals for the season, just three shy of his best ever total in LaLiga. Girona’s hopes of survival rest largely on his shoulders and so far Stuani is leading by example. He’s scored 40% of Girona’s goals. What a turnaround it’s been for the former Boro man.

Game of the Season – Real Sociedad 4-4 Real Betis

If you are after entertainment this season, you’re best off keeping tabs on Real Betis. Like Las Palmas last year, Quique Setien doesn’t know how to play football any other way but expansive and open. And, as was the case with his Las Palmas side, he isn’t blessed with the greatest defence so that means you should expect plenty of goals.

The match against Real Sociedad was a classic back and forth encounter. Every time a side took the lead they were pegged back within around 10 minutes. Like two boxers teeing off on each other, you couldn’t keep your eyes off the screen and at no point were you sure who was going to win.

In the end two late dramatic goals meant that it ended up as a draw. A fair result on reflection of the game but it was pure entertainment for the fans who tuned in to watch it.