*** Official Spanish Primera Division 2007-2008 ***

[JaredL]

Last year was a fantastic season. Very exciting, with 3 teams having a realistic shot with two weeks to go and it coming down to the second half of the final match for the big two.

This season I think will be similarly exciting. I think it will again be a Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla finish in some order. They are clearly the top 3 teams and should have distanced themselves from Valencia this offseason.

The two busiest clubs this offseason were the two teams in Madrid. Atletico gave up Fernando Torres and picked up Reyes, Simao, Luis Garcia and Forlan. That's a pretty big shakeup considering how consistently Torres had been their frontman. For Real Madrid their biggest signing was probably Robben long term but they also added Saviola, Heinze and Pepe and less known Drenthe, Sneijder, and Metzelder. Of the guys that player regularly they lost Emerson, Reyes, Ivan Helguera and the aging Beckham and Roberto Carlos. They had discussed getting a massive signing like Kaka, but I don't think that was too realistic. Barcelona signed fewer guys but they were all big names - Henry, Gaby Milito, Abidal and Toure. The major guy they lost was Giuly as well as I guess Saviola.

I'm feeling good about Sevilla's offseason. We'll see how the Alves thing goes as he basically demanded to leave the club and they turned down an offer that totaled 36 million euros. He's clearly very pissed at least at the Sevilla president. I just read that Alves didn't want to pose for the 2007-2008 team photo, showing up a half hour late. Apparently they will photoshop him into it. I personally think that Sevilla should offer him a contract that is equivalent (or a shade less) to what he would have gotten at Chelsea as he's the best player in his position in the world, brings something unique to the pitch every match and barring injury he should be a dominant player for another 6 or so years with 3 or 4 more good seasons after. If Sevilla are going to be a big club, we are going to have to not only get and hold on to such special players, but have them live and die with the club.

As I've said before, I don't think Sevilla need to make a ton of signings since the team is very young and very talented. They could use some help up front, especially as Kanoute should be due to have a drop off this season or next due to age. The important thing is to keep the team together, which they have done. The only guys that have left didn't get much playing time at all. The Alves thing is the key.

Valencia I expect to finish somewhat similarly to last year. Behind the above 3 but better than the rest. The main wildcard challenger is Atletico de Madrid. They could be anywhere from outside title challengers to middle of the table. I think Zaragoza will be the other UEFA Cup team.