RC Celta began their centenary season with the arrival of Rafa Benítez and a lot of excitement in Vigo. The signing of Bamba and the irruption of Hugo Sotelo unleashed a wave of optimism that had not been seen in Vigo for years.
The truth is that the team has scored one point out of the six available and the sensations on the pitch have not been positive at all. With Gabri Veiga on the verge of leaving for Napoli in exchange for a 36 million euro fee, Carlos Mouriño is expected to finally make a true investment on a roster that, realistically, is in need of reinforcements.
Bamba is a baller and Carles Pérez is a good footballer, but the truth is that Larsen is still not reliable when it comes to scoring, Benítez does not count on Tapia (at least for now) and Aspas is not on the same level as previous years.
It is understandable that the player from Moaña is not up to par with the form he has shown in previous years, as his 36 years of age are starting to take a toll on him. The good news is that academy players with great potential such as winger Miguel Rodríguez or playmaker Hugo Sotelo, are taking their first steps on the senior squad.
It is also important to take into account that Benítez likes to give young players a shot, and Celta have one of the best academies in Spain.
On another note, the incoming money from the transfer of Gabri Veiga should be invested in a defender and a striker. Manu Sánchez is a solid player, but Cervi cannot be his backup. Up top, Larsen possesses great positional play and wins duels, but at the end of the day, goals are what matters for a striker.
Another relevant factor is Benítez’s system. A 4-4-2 with two midfielders and two pure wingers that make the center of the pitch underpopulated, often resulting in disadvantageous situations. Beltrán is responsible for the playmaking duties, but he needs someone who can win duels alongside him, a role that Tapia could fill to perfection. The Peruvian’s strong points could be really useful for the team.
The main alternative would be a 4-3-3 system with a pivot and two central midfielders, featuring Tapia at the number 6 spot and Beltrán alongside Sotelo or Dotor filling the other two positions. It would most likely be a more solid formation.
It is clear that Celta are going to need a lot more to have a peaceful season and, although only two dates have taken place, their roster seems quite short. We will see what Luis Campos does with the money recieved from the Gabri Veiga transfer in the little time there is left before the transfer window closes.
Translated by Nuño Alonso.
Main image: @RCCelta.
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