REAL SOCIEDAD - ONE TO WATCH - XABI ALONSO
Xabi's father Periki was the mainstay of the Sociedad midfield which lifted the titles in 1981 and 1982 - but the youngster is now threatening to upstage his dad.
The 21-year-old was loaned out as a youngster to Eibar as his older brother Mikel Alonso, was thought to be the better prospect.
Although Mikel has maintained his position as squad player in San Sebastian, Xabi emerged from his loan spell a more confident and able player, which allowed his natural ability flow.
John Toshack unleashed him on La Liga and Xabi never looked back, and even in a struggling Sociedad side, stood out like a phoenix from the flames.
Last season when Sociedad almost took the lead title under the new attack minded Raynald Denoueix, Xabi shone - supplying the bullets along with Javi de Pedro - for Nihat and Darko Kovacevic.
Reports have suggested that both Barcelona and Manchester United made moves for Xabi this summer, but they were told that Real Madrid had already sealed a deal worth around £20 million, which would see him arrive at the club in 2004 - only time will tell and if it is his last season with Sociedad, he will be determined to go out on a high.
