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#3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid finished second in the La Liga last season. But they let go of manager Zinedine Zidane and long-serving centre-backs, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane this summer.
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They poached Carlo Ancelotti from Everton to take charge of the team, but the Italian has a tough job in his hands. Ramos and Varane played key roles in Los Blancos' incredible success under Zidane, so replacing them will not be an easy job by any means.
So far, Real Madrid seem content with the squad they have. The Merengues have signed David Alaba on a free transfer, and he is likely to be their replacement for Ramos.
Meanwhile, Nacho and Eder Militao are their other centre-back options. They have a good goalkeeper in Thibaut Courtois, but their ageing midfield of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos is a concern, while their attack is spearheaded by the 34-year-old Karim Benzema.
It is evident Real Madrid are collecting funds to land Kylian Mbappe next summer. Considering the same, the record champions are not the overwhelming favourites to land the 2021-22 La Liga title.
#2 Barcelona
In La Liga, it can be argued that Barcelona have enjoyed the best transfer window of all the clubs so far.
Having finished a disappointing third last season, Barcelona have snapped up Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia, all on free transfers. Brazilian full-back Emerson Royal returns to the club after a successful loan stint with Real Betis.
Meanwhile, the acquisition of young Austrian attacker Yusuf Demir could prove to be a masterstroke.
Defence, however, remains a problem for the La Liga giants. Gerard Pique is not the player he once was during his prime, while Clement Lenglet struggled immensely last season. Samuel Umtiti is reportedly free to leave, and there could be intense pressure on young stars - Garcia, Emerson and Sergino Dest - to perform in the 2021-22 La Liga.
#1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid won the La Liga title last season, and it seems likely they will successfully defend the same in 2021-22.
Led by the experienced Luis Suarez, Atletico Madrid deserved to win the La Liga title last season. The squad has transitioned from the experience of Juanfran, Diego Godin and Filipe Luis to the likes of Jose Gimenez, Kieran Trippier and Stefan Savic extremely well.
Atletico Madrid have signed Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese this summer.
The 27-year-old was one of Argentina's best players during their triumphant Copa America 2021 campaign, and will inject immediate quality to their midfield. His arrival could herald the departure of Saul, with the Spaniard linked with Barcelona. who could exchange Antoine Griezmann for him.
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