LaLiga 2018/2019 Preview: Villarreal

After the early struggles of last season which led to the sacking of former manager, Fran Escribá, the appointment of Javier Calleja helped the team stabilize and a strong finish to the season saw the team get 6th place and a spot in the Europa League for this season.

Led by charismatic president Fernando Roig, the team embarked on a spending spree and recruitment that has significantly strengthened the side considerably.

In has come £68.31m worth of talent with the addition of Spanish striker Gerard Moreno (£18m from Espanyol) and the return of old favourite Santi Cazorla the standout additions.

Given that the Spanish window does not close until August 31st, the club may still be active in the market with the expected sale of exciting winger Samu Castillejo to AC Milan (loan with an option to buy plus Carlos Bacca seems to be the prevalent opinion) meaning the club may need to get in another winger.

Troubled Portuguese centre-back Ruben Semedo has joined SD Huesca on loan while Russian World Cup star, Dennis Cheryshev has also gone out on loan to Valencia.

Here is an analysis of the team and what to expect once hostilities kick off on Friday:

#5 Goalkeepers

Spanish international Sergio Asenjo is expected to continue in goal and recreate his best form. The former Atletico Madrid player is well aware of the transfer moves made by rival national team goalies; Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) and Sergio Rico (Fulham) and will want to prove himself to new La Furia Roja manager Luis Enrique.

The 27-year-old has been an inspired presence in goal for the Yellow Submarines since he was ousted from Los Rojiblancos team by the emergence of David De Gea.

Victor Fernandez deputized ably when Asenjo was injured last season and will be expected to continue in the same capacity.

#4 Defence

Funes Mori might prove to be an aerial asset for the team

Manager Calleja did a fantastic job in strengthening a defence that had been weak and leaking goals before he took over.

In central defence, Victor Ruiz, Daniel Bonera, Álvaro González and new recruit; Argentine international Ramiro Funes Mori (a £8.1m buy from Everton) will be tasked with keeping the defence steady and preventing goals. Bonera has a wealth of experience but his declining pace means Ruiz and Funes Mori may be the first choice centre-backs in the new season.

Funes Mori’s height and aerial ability will help the team considerably as it was a weakness last season.

Long-term right back, Spanish international and vice-captain; Mario Gaspar will start another season as the first choice and is expected to continue providing solidity and attacking thrust down the right flank. Youth team product Miguelon will be the backup option and will provide competition.

The surprise sale of Adrian Marin to Alaves means that 30-year-old Jaume Costa and new signing; Mexican international Miguel Layun will be the options. Layun's attacking thrust may give him the edge but his penchant for vacating his position and leaving space behind may count against him.

#3 Midfield

Caseres' addition would make up for the loss of Rodri

The return of Cazorla has been met with general optimism as his experience and ability to dictate the tempo would be of great value to the team. The arrival of the highly rated Argentine teenager Santiago Caseres from Velez Sarsfield will add steel and tenacity to the midfield and should be a good replacement for the excellent Rodri who has moved on to Atletico Madrid.

One of the best players in La Liga last season was Pablo Fornals. The former Malaga youth player was sensational for the team last season with his passing, movement, intelligence, and chance creation. He is expected to be even better this season and alongside Italian Roberto Soriano and the excellent Manu Trigueros, they will provide creativity and goals from midfield.

The team’s heart and soul; Captain Bruno Soriano will be playing in his 12th season for the club. His strength, passing and organizational skills means he will be Calleja’s general on the pitch and his contributions will again be vital to the team’s progress.

Villarreal has a long history of giving chances to young stars so expect the likes of Matias Nahuel, Leo Suarez, Manu Morlanes and Alfonso Pedraza to be given ample game time.

#2 Attack

Moreno's arrival gives the team more options upfront

Last season, Villarreal was one of the few teams in La Liga that usually started with two strikers up top and this is expected to continue this season. Turkish international Enes Ünal came into his own towards the end of last season and his hold up play could be of great importance to the team.

New signing Moreno is expected to be the first choice striker as no one on the team can match his finishing ability and workrate (he scored 14 goals for Espanyol last season).

Cameroonian international Karl Toko Ekambi (a £16.20m summer signing from French side SCO Angers) will provide the pace, clever play and drive that the team missed when Cedric Bakambu was sold to Chinese club Beijing Guoan for £65m.

Former Italian international Nicola Sansone had an injury-hit campaign last season making just 13 appearances. Of the attacking players, he will be expected to drift to the wings and provide an extra attacking outlet.

#1 Tactics

Calleja's tactics will be key in determining how well the team plays

Given how well the team has recruited, it will now be on Calleja to put the parts together and build a strong side that can compete favorably.

When everybody is fit, the team is expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation with the width expected to come from the fullbacks; Layun (left) and Gaspar (right).

Soriano and Carzola will be tasked with covering the midfield and should be able to dictate the tempo against lesser ranked La Liga opponents. Against the big teams however, a younger, more energetic runner may be needed; enter Caseres.

Of the midfield 4, Fornals' ability to get forward from midfield coupled with his creative abilities means he will be the most attacking of the midfielders while Trigueros will act as an auxiliary winger.

What Calleja's favoured line-up might look like

Given how strong the Madrid giants: Atletico and Real and defending champions FC Barcelona are, the 1st -3rd positions seem set in stone. However, while last season’s fourth-placed team; Valencia CF has strengthened, they can be caught and El Submarino Amarillo will be gunning for their city rivals.

Predicted Position: 5th