Thinking ahead

Can anyone who follows English football more closely than I do tell us anything about Mohamed Diamé? The French-Senegalese defensive midfielder is out of contract with Wigan, where he's spent the last three seasons, and is rumoured to have been in Seville this weekend discussing a possible move to Betis with Pepe Mel, for whom he played at Rayo Vallecano. The word is that the player fancies playing in southern Spain, but a quick Google search reveals that he's also being courted by clubs such as Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle, all of whom would pay him twice as much as Betis would, so he's going to have to really want some sunshine in his life for this deal to happen.

I think, though, that this is the right time to show you this graphic, which is an educated guess at Betis's transfer needs this summer. Pepe Mel has repeatedly said he wants only 22 or 23 first-team squad members, with Betis B players also available to step up when required, so let's call this two players per position. You'll see that the ???s - obviously - are the positions to be filled, so Diamé, for instance, would be competing with Cañas for first-team starts.

There has, of course, been some guesswork on my part. All of the following could prove to be wrong, but to get to this point I've assumed...

1) ...that Iriney and Montero won't be re-signed, but Roque Santa Cruz and Paulao will. The latter seems a fairly safe bet, while a Roque deal might be more complicated but should still happen. There's a glimmer of hope for both the first two named, but they're still more likely to be elsewhere come August.

2)...that Salva Sevilla and Javier Matilla will also have moved on. There's been conflicting news about both of these midfielders - in theory, competition for Beñat - but Salva in particular is being sought by other Primera and Segunda clubs and will probably be allowed to leave. A season-long loan might be best for Matilla.

3)...that all the promising Betis B players will be regarded separately for the time being. If you count Pozuelo as a first-teamer now, the only Betis B player I've included is left-back Alex Martínez as an occasional substitute for the apparently indestructible Nacho. He'll be ready. Other names Pepe Mel might consider including more regularly would be right-back Manu Palancar, holding midfielder Carlos García, attacking midfielders Nono and Sergio, and winger (on either flank) Álvaro Vadillo.

4)...that Nelson, Juanma, Jonathan Pereira, Jorge Molina and, yes, Beñat, will all still be at the club when next season starts. Actually this is very unlikely, but it's impossible to know right now who will attract the most tempting offers. All are reportedly available at the right price, but there's no particular desperation to sell any of them, so we'll just have to wait and see. 

One further point to add is a warning not to expect much to happen before the second half of July. Pepe Mel has said he expects to leave for the pre-season tour of China on July 8th without too many new faces, so the real wheeling and dealing will probably start when the squad returns two weeks later. It's going to be a long old summer.

Comments

[Beticoirlandés]

Adam from what I can remember Diame just turned up at rayo just off the boat or whatever and managed to convince them to give him a trial! I think they were in 2a b at the time, the rest from there is history!

[Rob Wilson]

I had heard that Diame has an existing heart condition not too disimilar to Fabrice Muamba's and it's a potential disaster waiting to happen. Man Utd pulled out of a deal to sign him as a result.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2145476/Man-United-pull-Mohamed-Diame-deal-heart-condition-fears.html?ITO=1490

[Jimi Wilson]

I think juanma must move on, and santcruz is going to be difficult keep it, otherwise, agree

[NYC Bético]

What happened with Ezequiel. Why isn't he being considered for the empty left flank? He has attributes similar to Montero. Did he bomb while loaned out to Sabadell?

[Adam]

Rob - That's an interesting angle, and one that hasn't been reported here (as far as I know). It doesn't seem to be putting off other clubs, though.

NYCB - Quite simply, he didn't set the world on fire at Sabadell. He was either a second-half sub or started and was subbed after about an hour. Considering he wasn't playing for one of the top clubs in Segunda, that's hardly encouraging.

[Bjørn Egil Pedersen]

I've just read on estadiodeportivo's netside that Ezequiel, juanito calahorro, and Damian Petcoff have all left the club? Or maby that they are leaving this summer? The Google Translator ain't that good!

I hope it ain't true about Ezequiel at least, cause' I've had belief's in him, and thought that he might cut it in the primera division, and not staying at Sabadell!

[Bjørn Egil Pedersen]

On the other hand, Salvador Agra has been voted the best player in his team this year, though it didn't say who voted! (press, team mates or fans)

[simon, blyth-betis peña betica]

I don't know anything about Diame but the word on Tyneside is that it would be a good opportunity to link up with Newcastle's two other Senegalese stars, Cisse and Ba, who have done fantastically well this season, so that could be a big incentive for him. Pretty much a free transfer too, so that is attractive for Newcastle and for Betis....mind you, if he is looking for Andalucian sunshine then maybe Newcastle is the wrong place....It's bloomin' dark and freezing here in Winter !!

[Er_Pichi]

I have seen a fair number of Latics matches on TV and from what I have seen the past 3 years he hasn't been too impressive. This year Momo played only 18 matches and scored 3 goals and did not contribute much late in the season when Wigan beat the top tiered EPL teams to avoid relegation. However the Reds wanted him but with Sir Kenny getting the axe that fell through. From what I read his market value is projected to be between 4.5-5.3M Pounds, which I believe is too high and if he couldn't hold down a starting slot for Wigan he sure won't be able to do so either for Er Glorioso. As for Ezequiel I had read somewhere that Sabadell did not want him back and Er Glorioso really doesn't want him back either. I guess there is a price to pay when you shoot off your mouth in the locker room and your off the pitch lifestyle interferes with Er Furbol!! I'd imagine that if his career continues in the downward spiral of late that he'll be playing somewhere in Segunda B next season. What a flash from playing for the Spain U-19 in the U-19 Euro to Segunda B in 23 months is nothing to write home about!! Ese Beti Oe!!