The 2009-10 La Liga season is nearly upon us and we here at Mad About Futbol will breakdown the chances and player movement of all 20 teams in Spain's 1st division for the 2009-10 season. This time we will breakdown Real Club Deportivo Mallorca.


LAST SEASON (2008-09):
The team from the Islas Baleares looked like a team headed for relegation but Ensaimada Mecánica turned it around in the 2nd half of the season. Mallorca earned 37 points in the 2nd half of the season (only Barcelona & Real Madrid earned more in that span) as Mallorca came from 19th place to finish in 9th.

KEY PLAYER ADDITIONS:
Last year Mallorca ended their season with a -7 goal differential. They were the 5th worst defense in terms of goals allowed in 08-09, so they addressed their defensive issues by acquiring Rubén from Celta De Vigo. The central defender from Real Madrid's youth academy helped Racing to a top 10 finish in 06-07 and should be energized in returning to Spain's first division.

In front of Rubén cleaning up the midfield is Portuguese midfielder Bruno China. Mallorca bought the ex-Leixões SC midfielder for 400,000 Euros following a season when Bruno China was chosen as the best defensive midfielder of the Portuguese League for 08-09. He was signed even though coach Gregory Manzano admitted that he wanted the club not to sign the 27-year old ex-Leixões SC captain.

KEY PLAYER SUBTRACTIONS:
Mallorca lost playmaker and long-time face Juan Arango to Borussia Moenchengladbach. The Venezuelan international was sent to Germany for 3.6 million Euros and missed only 1 La Liga game from 2004-08. He was the heart & soul of Mallorca for the last 5 seasons. The exit of Atlético Madrid loanees Jurado & Cleber Santana make Mallorca's offensive void even larger. Juan Arango, Jurado, and Cleber Santana accounted for 22 of Mallorca's 53 league goals.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Juan Arango's departure leaves a massive void for Mallorca but they hope that it can be filled by Sergio Tejera. The 19-year old was on loan from Chelsea last season but Mallorca worked out a deal for the U-15 & U-17 Spanish international to stay permanently. He is seen as a #10 and a replacement for Arango as a playmaker.

FINAL ANALYSIS:
The additions of Rubén & Bruno China should improve their defense but where will they get goals without Arango, Jurado, and Cleber Santana? Aduriz, Pierre Webo, and Alhassane Keita will each have to score at least 10-15 goals each for Mallorca to improve from last year. If Mallorca can carry over the momentum from last season's late charge & get consistent goal scoring, La Liga's Islanders will challenge for a Europa League spot.