Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
On their return to the Spanish top flight La Liga, Villarreal have splashed roughly $9 million on Mexican international attacking midfielder Giovanni Dos Santos.
The 24-year-old began his playing career at Barcelona, only to go on to play for Tottenham and be owned by them for four years. While there, he was loaned out to Ipswich Town, Galatasaray and Racing Santander. Last season, he was sold to RCD Mallorca, who have been relegated. Therefore, he opted to return to the top flight to a team who were down in the second league for one season — Villarreal.
What Dos Santos brings is European as well as international experience to the “Yellow Submarines”. Pace, skill, vision and strength on the ball are the positives which will allow him to automatically enter the starting 11 and perhaps make an impact.
One negative aspect of the youngster is that he sometimes has a lack of discipline which causes him to dribble with the ball too much and disregard the wide open teammates around him. This is one of the reasons why both Barca and Tottenham let him go. He also shows this behavior for his country at times.
Now, with a newly-promoted club, he may have the chance to play a leadership role as he is arguably the most popular member of the squad. Concentration, discipline and dedication will allow him to win over his new coach, teammates and fans. By doing so, he can become more of a complete player and perhaps finally find his home on a historical club in a historical soccer league and country.
If any of that is to occur, he will have to mature quickly and his actions could play a huge part in the team’s survival in the top flight.
