Marcelino’s new Villarreal side – A fresh era of rejuvenation 

After a busy summer at the Estadio Ceramica, VillarrealFanTV offered up his thoughts on the transfer activity and how it will impact on Marcelino’s side in the 2024/25 season:

One of main things Marcelino wanted before returning as Villarreal head coach was to have control in the transfer market, bringing in only players that suited his style of play, which is a rigid 4-4-2 formation. This request was granted by the Roigs and he signed a two and a half year contract with the club in late 2023.

This summer window was undoubtedly one of the most hectic periods in recent years for Villarreal’s board. There was a clear need for drastic changes, particularly due to concerns about the average age of the squad. 

Prior to the window, Villarreal had one of the oldest squads in the league, with an average age of 30.8 among the 21 first-team players.

The summer of 2024 brought about a substantial restructuring of the squad, driven by the need to refresh the team and address defensive weaknesses. Many players, including Manu Trigueros, Alberto Moreno, Etienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin, Jose Luis Morales, Pepe Reina, and Aissa Mandi were not in Marcelino’s plans. Their departures were driven by various factors, including their high wages and the new tactical and strategic direction.

With these departures, the next crucial step was to sell a key player to generate funds for reinforcements in critical areas, particularly defence. Last season, Villarreal conceded 65 league goals, the most in the club’s top flight history, and this was a major concern for Marcelino. Known for his emphasis on defensive organisation and structure, the 59-year-old became frustrated with the team’s fragilities at the back.

Overview of Marcelino’s style

Marcelino relies on a compact defence, a hard-working midfield, and forwards who can press aggressively and convert chances with clinical efficiency. His teams are often characterised by their ability to absorb pressure and counter attack with few touches using players with speed and energy. This requires players who are physically fit, quick and versatile.

Main summer departures

• Alexander Sørloth: His departure leaves a void in the attacking department, especially in terms of goalscoring ability.
• Filip Jørgensen: A goalkeeper who initially divided opinion among the fans, his early performances at Villarreal were unconvincing. However, he showed significant improvement over the course of last season, growing with confidence after each match. Despite still being a work in progress, he caught the attention of Chelsea, who signed him in the summer.
• Jorge Cuenca: A young defender initially seen as Pau Torres’ successor. Marcelino did not see him as a good fit for his defensive style. His slower pace and limited turning radius did not align with Marcelino’s tactical preferences. He signed with Fulham in the summer.
• Ben Brereton Diaz: The Chilean international joined Villarreal on a free transfer last year but departed this summer for €8.3m. Despite the high hopes, he never fully settled at the club and left without scoring a goal.
• Arnaut Danjuma: Danjuma made a late move to Girona on a loan deal in the final hours of the transfer window.

Main summer arrivals

• Thierno Barry (Basel): Barry is a versatile young forward, expected to add depth and energy to Villarreal’s attacking options.
• Logan Costa (Toulouse): Costa strengthens the back-line with his physical presence and defensive reliability.
• Luiz Junior (Famalicao):  Luiz Junior is a highly rated goalkeeper, known for his shot-stopping abilities, who will compete for the starting role.
• Diego Conde (Leganes): Conde adds further depth to the goalkeeping position, providing a solid back-up option with potential for growth.
• Pape Gueye (Marseille): Gueye brings presence to the midfield, offering strength, ball-winning capabilities, and the ability to support both defence and attack.
• Ayoze Perez (Real Betis): Ayoze is a versatile forward who can play across the front line, bringing creativity and experience to Villarreal’s attack.
• Sergi Cardona (Las Palmas): Cardona is a full-back known for his ability to support the attack down the left flank. 
• Juan Bernat (PSG): Due to growing concerns and uncertainty over Alfonso Pedraza’s injury, Villarreal decided to bring in Juan Bernat from PSG on a season-long loan deal.

Concluding thoughts

Marcelino has chosen to focus on youth, energy and pace rather than experience in building his squad. He prefers younger, dynamic players who can bring freshness and speed to the team which aligns with his style of play. 

With that being said, it will take time for these young players to gel and build understanding with each other. With so many new signings, there will inevitably be some disruption in team chemistry and an important player like Sørloth will be challenging to replace. 

Arnaut Danjuma also made a surprising late move to Girona in the final hours of the summer transfer window. This move raised eyebrows, particularly because Danjuma had shown a renewed attitude and commitment during the pre-season and in Villarreal’s first three league games. 

His performances suggested that he was set to play an important role for the Yellow Submarine this season, making the decision to let him join a direct rival even more puzzling. 

The last minute departure of Danjuma significantly weakens their attacking options, leaving the team more vulnerable. He was a key player for Villarreal, known for his ability to create chances and score crucial goals. His absence forced the team to rely more heavily on other attacking players, who may not have been as effective or as naturally integrated into the squad’s tactical setup.