Football Season Guide

Sevilla's turmoil continues both off and on the pitch as they remain the La Liga side with the lowest salary cap after issues with their finances which have limited the club hugely. There has been no change in ownership, but Sevilla did keep their top-flight status on the final day alongside a 13th-placed finish which flattered them. Luis Garcia Plaza is one man who remains, keeping his job as coach after guiding the team to survival, but he has lost several key men. Captain Nemanja Gudelj was released, alongside several experienced squad options like Cesar Azpilicueta and Alexis Sanchez. Other first team regulars, like loanee Batista Mendy, have been moved on for financial reasons, cashing in on Akor Adams and Djibril Sow. They have been replaced by bargains, like free transfers Jon Guridi and Juan Iglesias, and unproven youngsters like Julio Diaz and Fran Gonzalez. Ill discipline was an issue last season, conceding a league high of 11 penalties and a league high of 105 yellow cards. Those figures were more limited under Garcia Plaza, but Sevilla will rely on new leaders like homegrown talents Isaac Romero and Kike Salas to step up in the dressing room. Sevilla will almost certainly fight relegation again this season. The Pizjuan, a vociferous home support, gives them an edge, but they could turn on the club’s ownership should results disappoint and make for a toxic atmosphere at a club which hasn’t kept the same coach for a full season in five years.