Things are certainly looking different over in Spain where the La Liga title race is concerned this season with Sevilla bolstering their attack with Anthony Martial
Having entered a period of austerity, there wasn’t the usual big-money business going on over on Spanish shores — in fact, quite the opposite. With big names leaving both Barcelona and Real Madrid, and current title holders Atlético Madrid enduring a lukewarm campaign, the title race and battle for top four has been blown wide open, with some outside candidates putting their name in the hat to stun the football odds from Paddy Power.
The sunny city of Seville is certainly enjoying a season to remember for both their sides — Real Betis must remain consistent if they are to earn European football again in some capacity, whilst Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla sit second in the table behind Real Madrid, just four points behind with it all to play for. Dreaming of that elusive title, it seems the hierarchy at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan are going all guns blazing in terms of recruitment, and have bolstered the squad by bringing in Anthony Martial on loan, for an initial five-million-pound fee.
Is Anthony Martial The Final Link To Propel Sevilla Towards The La Liga 2021-22 Title
The Frenchman became something of an outcast at Manchester United, struggling for consistent gametime under Ole Gunnar Solskjær before being surplus to requirements in Ralf Rangnick’s complicated 4-2-2-2 system, in which wide players are essentially redundant. One of the longer serving players in that United dressing room, Martial arrived in 2015 as a record-breaking signing for a teenager, and while Monaco are hardly relying on the Ballon d’Or clause they inserted in the Frenchman’s contract to come in, he was still a reliable servant over the years in England, albeit one who never really stamped down a definitive position at Old Trafford.
In a way, Martial is a victim of his own versatility. Capable of playing out wide as well as a more recognised striker, his stocky stature combined with powerful running suited the physicality of the Premier League, and having bagged goals in Europe, he is certainly ready for the challenges imposed by La Liga. You only need to look at how Érik Lamela has thrived in red and white since trading North London for Andalusia, with the infectious cheers of the passionate Sevilla fans intoxicating to an outsider — an arena someone like Martial can easily adapt to.
When looking at weaknesses in Lopetegui’s current side, you would say the lack of a potent goal scorer is what is keeping the title at bay. Despite being solid at the back, shipping just the 16 goals in La Liga this season, their top scorer, Rafa Mir, has only struck the back of the net seven times domestically — something that could cost Los Nervionenses if Martial doesn’t hit the ground running.
What Does Anthony Martial’s Transfer Offer To Sevilla In La Liga 2021-22
The addition of the Frenchman also provides greater squad depth, and having to manage the title race alongside a Europa League tie with Dinamo Zagreb could mean the 26-year-old is thrust into action from the get go. However, judging from his United debut, that isn’t something that should phase him having deceived Martin Škrtel just five minutes into his Old Trafford career before slotting home coolly.
Martial might divide opinion over in England, but in the La Liga title race his inclusion in Sevilla’s squad could mean the difference between first and second. It’s certainly a low-risk, high-reward situation for Lopetegui, and a situation that allows Martial to gain vital minutes to not only bolster his chances of getting back in the United side next season, but to put his name in the shop window with hopes of getting in France’s World Cup squad. Who knows, he may even end up calling Seville a permanent home.