The Spanish La Liga has started and all teams have already dropped some points. Atletico barely saved a draw with a bizarre own goal versus Villareal. Barcelona caught a late equalizer against Athletic Bilbao, while Real Madrid played a six-goal thriller with Levante to a draw. Even though the season started, there are still dimensions of capacity and potential that will be only figured out as the campaign goes on.
Last summer, Lionel Messi left Barcelona to play in Paris for PSG and left a huge gap. Now, it is up to the players currently playing in La Liga to assume the place of the best player in the league.
Here are three players that might make a case for La Liga centrality as the season goes on.
La Liga players to watch:
Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
The 33-year-old French forward and his quality are well-known. He has been an amazing footballer for Lyon, then Madrid in La Liga for 15 years. However, even at his age and stature, he can take a step forward. After Cristiano Ronaldo left Madrid for Turin, Benzema has been clinical for Los Blancos. After a season where he scored just five goals in 2018, he scored 21 twice in a row and 23 last season. In all competitions, in the last three years, the star striker scored 87 goals, which is truly great.
The reason why Benzema is on this list is simple: Messi is not here anymore. As stated above, the Argentine left for France and, now, it is up to the Frenchman from Madrid to assume his place as the best player in La Liga. He will still have competition, even from his own team, but it is undeniable that he is class. If he can continue playing like the last three seasons for Los Merengues, he will be the consensus best player in Spain by a longshot.
Additionally, all of Madrid's play now revolves around the French international. His goal-scoring ability and distribution to the wings, where Vinicius Jr and Eden Hazard are patiently waiting, is magnificent. He also has good chemistry with the midfield, specifically Luka Modric and Toni Kroos who have been playing with Benzema for years now. It will definitely be exciting to see will the Frenchman take his rightful place on the throne for the best La Liga player.
Memphis Depay, Barcelona
It is uncertain times for Barcelona fans. Both Messi and the star signing from 2018, Antoine Griezmann, are gone, and attacking options are scarce. The financial situation did not allow for any major signings. Arrivals were mostly free and not impressive. Eric Garcia came to the La Liga club to aid the defensive side, while Sergio Aguero came and already got injured. However, one arrival might make Barcelona fans happy week-in, week-out.
Memphis Depay's career is sometimes unfairly judged, based on his stint in Manchester United. He arrived at Old Trafford when he was 21 and the pressure of the no. 7 shirt was clearly too much. However, upon arriving in Lyon, which was his next destination, Depay thrived. Overall, he scored 76 goals in five seasons for the French team, completely reviving his career. After his contract ran out, he accepted the call of his old national team coach, Ronald Koeman, and joined Barcelona.
While there were some doubts about whether he will be able to live with the pressure of post-Messi Barcelona, Depay is thriving again. In three La Liga games he played, Memphis was able to score two goals, including a late equalizer that saved a point for Barcelona. He will look to continue scoring and to get Barca to a position better suited for its stature in the upcoming season.
Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid
Atleti fans might boo Griezmann, as they did this past Champions League mid-week matchup. They might even not like to see his name on the line-up. However, it is exactly Griezmann who will be the difference-maker for Los Colchoneros in the upcoming season. It is clear to absolutely everyone that Atletico can struggle in matches where they are unable to score early. Griezmann is the solution for this, as his runs and dribbling skills can help break down opposition lines.
It is true, obviously, that the Frenchman did not have a good two years in Barcelona. However, scoring 15 and 20 goals, respectively, in two seasons for the Pride of Catalunya is not an easy task for anyone. While it was not what he wanted to contribute, Griezmann still helped in a big way. In Atletico, he was the focal point of the La Liga squad, while in Barca, it was always Messi.
He returns to the Wanda Metropolitano now and, while the fans might not be happy, the club will be. He is another attacking option, other than Luis Suarez and Joao Felix. It is probably going to take some time, but with how much coach Diego Simeone appreciates Griezmann and his skillset, he will be utilized in the best possible way. Should he get the time he needs to adjust, French forward will be the difference between a successful season and a failure for Los Colchoneros in La Liga.
Follow Us
Subscribe