• 2016/17 La Liga preview:
Atletico Madrid | Barcelona | Real Madrid | The rest
Outside of the usual names you know, European Football Correspondent Andy Mitten gives you five Primera Liga players to keep an eye on this season.
Andre Gomes (Barcelona)
A cross between Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard, this powerful yet elegant attacking midfielder who glides over the pitch should improve further without the chaos at Valencia and with better players around him. He was not cheap at €50 million (Dh207m), and he was not a star in Portugal’s European Championship success, but Gomes can shine at Camp Nou.
Kevin Gamiero (Atletico Madrid)
The diminutive French forward, 29, was a star of another European campaign for Sevilla. Formerly of Strasbourg, Lorient and Paris Saint-Germain, he will link up with compatriot Antoine Griezmann, providing pace and goals. The huge €32m fee, which could rise to €40m, indicates the available money in Spain thanks to the new, and fairer, television deal.
Nani (Valencia)
An €8m signing from Turkey, the former Manchester United winger impressed for Portugal as they triumphed in France. He was keen to leave club football in Turkey. Still only 29, Nani needs to find consistency in a side which was woefully inconsistent last season. Will be interesting, whatever happens.
Matias Kranevitter (Sevilla)
Kranevitter is a 23-year-old defensive midfielder on loan from Atletico Madrid who signed him from River Plate last season. He had helped the Argentine side win Copa Libertadores but was used sparingly when he arrived in Madrid. If he plays regularly in Sevilla, he can continue to fill the promise which has already seen him win seven Argentina caps.
Bebe (Eibar)
The former Manchester United player who was a shock signing in 2010, is already 26. Now at his third Spanish club after spells at Cordoba and a season at Rayo Vallecano where he was a regular last season, he will form part of a side who are maturing into one expected to stay in the Primera Liga. Another new stand is being built at the league’s smallest venue and the club spent €2m on a player, smashing their transfer record. It was not on Bebe, but the Portuguese will be expected to thrill.
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