Multiple world class signings, very few meaningful departures and an excess of talent.
Spanish giants Real Madrid have been very busy over the summer and we can expect to see lots of changes for the up and coming La Liga campaign, where Carlo Ancelotti will be expecting to return the title to the Santiago Bernabeu.
With that in mind, here are five things to look forward to this season.
A warm welcome for the new Los Blancos stars
With the new summer signings, two fresh stars are yet to make their debuts in La Liga.
World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez is all too eager to play for Los Blancos whilst the Madridistas await his Liga entrance and the chance to see exactly what he can do.
Madridistas are also looking forward to German World Cup winner, Toni Kroos, making his mark on the team.
Hopefully their World Cup successes can be replicated in a white shirt – or even in a pink one.
Irreplaceable midfielder, Xabi Alonso, will be absent for the first round of the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla on Tuesday, giving Kroos the opportunity he was waiting for to showcase his top-quality talent.
Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to show why he is still the main man despite new talent. Real Madrid may very well have a new dynamic duo on their hands.
As the club welcome their new signings, it is also the time to say adios to Spanish goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
Real Madrid’s number one /two goalie – depending on the competition – goes on to play with Italian giants AC Milan in a three-year deal with the Serie A side.
It is a deal which will see the experienced Spanish international become the undisputed number one choice at the San Siro.
Nevertheless, his desolate departure marks an occasion to remember as he will be missed by aficionados and team players alike.
Lopez had a great couple of seasons at Real and his work is will be missed by many. Reluctant to go, it almost seems unfair that Lopez should transfer in such a way – with Iker Casillas continuing his charmed life at Real Madrid a little bit longer.
As one keeper leaves, another arrives to stake his claim
Keylor Navas’ sharp skills shone brightly during Brazil 2014 and every club wanted to sign him.
With Lopez moving to Milan and Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas looking less and less likely to play as the main man, the Costa Rican goalkeeper can potentially become a leading star in the team after making his ‘dream’ move from Levante on a six-year deal to the Santiago Bernabeu.
El Clasico
Real Madrid face Barcelona in another intense Clasico match in early October that will highlight the real strength of Real.
With Barcelona’s new player, Luis Suarez, reaching the end of his football ban just in time for the Clasico – how convenient – it will definitely be a game to sink your teeth into.
It will be an absolutely huge test to see which of the summer signings have been most effective. A game that will no doubt rise to the occasion.
Some players remain forever faithful – either that or they know which side of their bread is buttered.
For now at least, it seems that no other first team players will be making any transfers anytime soon, as French forward Karim Benzema extended his Real Madrid contract for a further five years.
Benzema will remain with Los Blancos until at least 2019 in which the club will be expecting another five years of continual success.
There is still however ambiguity over the futures of Sami Khedria and Argentine winger Angel Di Maria.
The latter is supposedly being watched by Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal and Paris Saint Germain. The on-going sagas could result in these players either making a late departure or becoming surplus to requirements at the club.
Real Madrid fans. With lots of expectation, it looks set to be a good season. Are there any other expectations for the new season? Can we expect to see them winning La Liga? Or winning the UEFA Champions League two years consecutively? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.