I’d say Barcelona had it a little too easy last season, but that won’t worry the Catalans one jot, as Lionel Messi put in another outstanding shift to inspire Barca to the title.
The Blaugrana are the team to stop again this year but I don’t think they’ll have it all their own way. This La Liga season promises to be another belter with the two Madrid sides leading the charge to stop Barca.
Messi is the main man in Spain of course, so now let’s take a look at another ten players who can light up the league.
Antoine Griezmann (28) Barcelona
As the Big Three have spent liberally over the summer the early standout move was, of course, Antoine Griezmann’s switch to Barcelona. The La Liga 2019 news has been dominated by the Frenchman’s move to the Camp Nou and as one of only a handful of players on the planet who can hold a candle to Messi, this is news which sends a shiver down rival fans’ spines. He’s needed a new challenge for a while and now Griezmann must show how god he really is.
Eden Hazard (28) Real Madrid
One player capable of stealing the limelight in La Liga has arrived at the Bernabeu this summer in the shape of former Chelsea star Eden Hazard. The new number seven has arguably been the best player in the Premier League over the past five seasons and Hazard has already made some appearances for Los Blancos in the International Champions Cup. He’s going to be a big player in the battle to be Kings of Madrid, and after Atleti gave Los Blancos a right royal thumping in the ICC that particular fight has already spiced up.
Joao Felix (19) Atletico Madrid
What a signing Diego Simeone has made in young Portuguese sensation Joao Felix. He burst onto the scene with champions Benfica last term and his combination of pace and lethal finishing could make him the eventual successor to Griezmann. Will this be a season too early for Felix? Only time will tell, but Simeone is sure to give him the opportunity to shine.
Frenkie de Jong (22) Barcelona
The La Liga 2019 betting markets are backing another Barca title and, along with the signing of Griezmann, the recruitment of Dutch midfield playmaker De Jong could be a telling factor. He was a key part of the Ajax side which dazzled in the Champions League last season and has already won nine caps for the Netherlands, fast becoming a force in world football again.
Wissam Ben Yedder (28) Sevilla
Sevilla’s number nine has scored 38 goals in 91 appearances since arriving in 2016. Nicknamed Benyebut – using the French word ‘but’ which means ‘goal’ he is sure to find the net with regularity again this season. He was capped by the full French team in 2018 and that’s some achievement among the current crop of Les Bleus.
Jan Oblak (26) Atletico Madrid
As the season progresses our SBOBET tips will invariably back Los Rojiblancos to pick up wins, even against Los Blancos, and the continued form of keeper Oblak is a crucial factor. The Slovenian stopper was part of Benfica’s 2014 treble-winning side and has been one of the main reasons Atleti’s defence has been so miserly in recent seasons. He may have more work to do this term without Diego Godin in front of him though.
Maxi Gomez (22) Valencia
This young Uruguayan striker has been in demand, with Premier League club West Ham working hard to get his signature; but they were beaten to it by Valencia who might just have a real gem on their hands. He scored 13 goals last season for Celta Vigo and his new club will hope his goals can fire them to a top-four place.
Iago Aspas (32) Celta Vigo
One of the most prolific goal scorers in La Liga is still plying his trade at Celta Vigo and Aspas will be a handful for many a defence again this season. The experienced striker scored 20 goals and made six assists last season and has a scoring record of 75 in 128 games for his club, and that’s hard to beat by anyone other than Messi!
Nabil Fekir (26) Real Betis
Betis could have picked up one of the bargains of the summer having signed France international Fekir from Lyon. The attacking midfielder was hot property last season, tracked by Liverpool, and he almost joined the Anfield side for £52m but Betis have got him for less than a £20m as he entered the final year of his contract. A skilful attacking midfielder Fekir has frequent flashes of brilliance.
Adria Pedrosa (21) Espanyol
One player I think could really breakthrough this season is this young wing-back who began to make an impression last term, replacing the experienced Didac Vila by the end of the season. Los Periquitos have a real prospect on their hands, he’s started both of Espanyol’s Europa League fixtures so far and impressed in both.
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