Real Valladolid were the only one of the promoted sides to survive last term and they’ll be hoping to avoid a case of second season syndrome this time around. Read on for our Real Valladolid season preview for 2019-20.
Last Season – 16th
Real Valladolid looked like strong relegation candidates for virtually the entire 2018/19 campaign. Despite offering precious little going forward (their top scorer Enes Unal managed just 6 goals, double the return of any of his teammates), they ultimately beat the drop with a game to spare. Wild celebrations followed their victory at Rayo Vallecano on the penultimate weekend but their season did finish under a bit of a cloud with allegations of match-fixing lingering over their final match – a 2-0 defeat to Champions League chasing Valencia.
Real Valladolid Transfers ahead of 2019/20
Players IN
Pablo Hervías – €1m from Eibar
Marcos de Sousa – Undisclosed Fee from Guaratinguetá
Àlvaro Aguado – Undisclosed Fee from Cordoba
Sandro Ramírez – LOAN from Everton
Javi Sánchez – LOAN from Real Madrid
Jorge de Frutos – LOAN from Real Madrid
Federico Barba – LOAN from Chievo
Enes Unal – LOAN (extended) from Villarreal
Pedro Porro – LOAN from Manchester City
Players OUT
Fernando Calero – €8m to Espanyol
Moi Delgado – LOAN to Racing Santander
Antonio Domínguez – FREE to Algeciras
Borja Fernandez – RETIRED
(Transfers up to 11th August 2019)
Coach – Sergio Gonzalez
Sergio perhaps deserved more credit for the job he did with a relatively limited Valladolid squad last season having guided them to promotion the season before. He ensured they were tough to break down and competitive in virtually all their games and it’s hard to see there being a radical overhaul in terms of the approach this time around.
Read more – LLE on the Road – Friday night in Valladolid
Possible Real Valladolid Team Next Season
Valladolid have again used the loan market and particularly their ties with Real Madrid to strengthen the squad over the summer and they do look to have made a few decent signings although the departure of first-choice centre-back Fernando Calero to Espanyol is a blow.
Jordi Masip was inspired at times last season in goal and the back four performed pretty well for the most part but it has experienced some change over the summer. Valladolid’s most eye-catching signing is that of Pedro Porro who joined Manchester City late in the English transfer window only to be immediately loaned out to the José Zorrilla. He will provide a bit more attacking quality from right-back while fellow loanees Federico Barba and Javi Sánchez may find themselves competing for a starting role alongside Kiko Olivas in central defence.
The central midfield is another strength for Valladolid where Ruben Alcaraz and Michel have formed a solid if not spectacular pairing. Valladolid will need more inspiration from their wide players and forwards this season though if they are to improve on a disappointing goal return.
On the surface, signing Sandro Ramirez, a striker who incredibly has gone two seasons and three clubs without a league goal, isn’t exactly a recipe made in heaven but if he can rekindle the form he produced for Malaga in 2016/17 he could yet prove a useful addition. Last season’s top scorer Enes Unal is back on loan at Valladolid this term while Real Madrid youngster Jorge de Frutos will also be hoping to make his mark in attack.
Key Man – Ruben Alcaraz
✌?? Rubén Alcaraz scored his third goal with the "white and violet" jersey on the last matchday
?Huesca – Matchday 8 – ⏱ 27'
?Valencia – Matchday 19 – ⏱ 81'
?Espanyol – Matchday 26 – ⏱ 16'#pucela #RealValladolid pic.twitter.com/Bb0pHNVEd1— Real Valladolid CF EN (@realvalladolidE) March 5, 2019
Ruben Alcaraz almost epitomises Real Valladolid’s strengths and limitations as a side. He is the engine room in the Valladolid midfield and plays a major role in winning the ball back and providing some protection for a back four which will again expect to be under pressure in many games this term. While principally a holding midfielder, Alcaraz is still capable of chipping in with the odd goal and Sergio will be hopeful he can do that again this term.
One to Watch – Jorge de Frutos
A number of Real Madrid loanees impressed last season in La Liga and Jorge de Frutos is the latest to get his chance at another club. The 22 year old was one of Real Madrid Castilla’s more impressive players last term and he could add a touch of flare and imagination to this Valladolid side although he will certainly face a battle to break into the first eleven.
Real Valladolid 2019-2020 Targets
Survival was the only real objective in Valladolid’s first season back in the top flight last time around and there’s nothing to suggest it will be any different this time around. Again the squad looks to be lacking much in the way of a genuine goal threat and Valladolid will be reliant on Sergio’s ability to ease the new players into action and mould them into a team that will be tough to break down again.
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Real Valladolid season preview via Mark Sochon
Contact: marksochon(at)hotmail.co.uk | @marksoc1 on Twitter
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