For the first time in ten years, Real Sociedad have qualified for the Champions League. Most fans would have expected heavy investment from their clubs had they been in a similar situation. All clubs have submitted to the rules of instant reinvestment, but one club resists the invader: Real Sociedad.
The 22/23 La Liga season saw the Txuri-Urdinak qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2013/2014 as Imanol Alguacil’s troops finished fourth, two wins back from Atletico Madrid. In such a unique turn of events, most clubs would be tempted to splash their cash right and left, from a new centre-back to the hottest prospect to reinforce the squad. Nonetheless, the White And Blues still haven’t spent significant amounts of the earned money of the past campaign on any signing. It’s late July, only a few weeks remain until the 23/24 season will get underway. High up in the hills of Donostia-San Sebastian, a sense of calm reigns.
By the looks of it, Real Sociedad are set up for a self-sabotage. Their previous campaigns all have seen a drop-off in performance in the January-March time-frame, marked by injuries that have, until last season, denied them a spot in the Champions League. Knowing that the Champions League translates into more weeks where two games per week become the norm, reinforcements in large numbers are the obvious way to go. But instead, ‘La Real’ are continuing with their usual regional policy: invest in the academy, promote a few talents from the ‘B’ team, and find a few cheap signings. Nothing more, nothing less.
Real Sociedad ‘B’ midfielders Benat Turrientes (2002) and Jon Ander Olasagasti (2000) have been promoted to the first team, with the former expected to take on more
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