Why Málaga are the Most Improved Team in La Liga

Málaga have been one of the most active teams in the summer transfer window in 2011. Los Boquerones are looking to improve on their 11th place finish last season, and by the looks of it they will. The club has made eight new signings this summer and kept high profile manager Manuel Pelligrini at the helm. Combine that with the money brought in by Sheikh Abdullah al Thani and you have a club with a bright future.

Eight Key Signings

Sergio Sanchez joined Malaga this summer from Sevilla in a deal worth a reported €2.8 million. Sanchez provides Malaga with a versatile defender than can play both as a right and centre-back.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will prove to be a great signing for Malaga. Van Nistelrooy joined Malaga on a free transfer from the German side Hamburg. In the past two seasons with Hamburg, the Dutch talisman bagged 17 goals in 44 games. .

Joris Mathijsen joins Malaga after an impressive season with both club and country. His Netherlands team reached the World Cup final, where they fell to eventual champions Spain. Ironically, Mathijsen will make his new home in Spain after sealing a €2 million from Hamburg.

Joaquin joins Malaga following a disappointing stint with Valenica. The former Spanish international arrived at Valencia in 2006 following a €25 million move from Real Betis and never really found his comfort zone. But Malaga felt that a €4 million bid for the player was worth the gamble, and they may be right. Only time can tell.

Nacho Monreal transferred to the Andalusia-based club from Osasuna for a reported transfer fee of €6 million. Monreal is an excellent left-back who has the ability to torment defenses with his forward runs. He will prove to be a great signing for Pellegrini and Malaga.

Jeremy Toulalan was once considered one of the best midfield players in the world. Toulalan is the definition of a defensive midfielder. In 201 career appearances with Lyon, the French international scored only one goal. Toulalan’s move to Malaga was for a reported fee of €10 million. The Frenchman will have a tough task next season trying to stop the likes of Ozil, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, and Ronaldo.

Santi Cazorla was set to join Arsenal. At least that is what many sources were saying. Those rumours only last one day because Malaga stepped in and signed the midfield maestro for a reported fee of €19 million. I rate Cazorla as a world-class midfielder so I love this signing. He’s got great pace, poise, and ability. He can score goals and set them up, ideal qualities for a midfield player.

Isco is a young player that Malaga rate very highly. The former Valencia player joined Malaga for a fee of €6 million. Isco is currently on duty with the Spanish U-20 national team at the World Cup. If anything can be taken away from his performances thus far it’s that Malaga may have just stolen the future star from Valencia.