What's new in La Liga in 2016/17? The players, coaches and clubs
Thursday 18 August 2016 12:02, UK
The 2016/17 La Liga season kicks off on Friday with Malaga's game at home to Osasuna with all 10 of the opening round of games available on the various Sky Sports platforms.
Live La Liga Football
Barcelona are the champions and they'll be expected to battle against familiar foes Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid once again, but what's new in La Liga.
Live La Liga Football
Here we pick out the players, coaches and clubs that are freshening things up this season…
Players
Barcelona's biggest buy of the summer transfer window so far is Andre Gomes, a £30m signing from Valencia. Both the midfielder and defensive acquisition Samuel Umtiti, who impressed for France at Euro 2016, will add to Luis Enrique's options.
In Madrid, Atletico are bolstered by the signings of Nico Gaitan from Benfica and forward Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla. Real's most significant arrivals are familiar faces - Alvaro Morata, back from Juventus, and Marco Asensio, fresh from his successful loan at Espanyol.
Elsewhere, Espanyol is the latest home for Jose Antonio Reyes, while Alexandre Pato has pitched up at Villarreal. Other former Premier League stars who've found new homes include Kevin-Prince Boateng at Las Palmas and Nani at Valencia.
Coaches
Perhaps the most intriguing coaching change of the summer is in Andalusia with Sevilla having convinced Jorge Sampaoli to resume his club career with them after claiming consecutive Copa America victories with Chile.
There are also three former Premier League managers making their returns to La Liga in 2016/17. Quique Sanchez Flores has traded Watford for Espanyol, ex-Tottenham and Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos is at Malaga and Gustavo Poyet is now in charge at Real Betis.
Clubs
Two Madrid clubs have departed La Liga with Rayo Vallecano and Getafe both dropping down to the second tier, but they have been replaced by another club from the capital with Leganes earning promotion to the top flight for the first time.
Live La Liga Football
Osasuna are back in La Liga after two seasons away and Alaves take the Basque tally to five clubs by clambering their way back to the top division for the first time in a decade. The fun begins this Friday.
