Villarreal's potent offensive weapons may be the secret to their success.

Even though Villarreal's defense faltered during a turbulent season last year, giving up an alarming 65 goals—the third-highest in the league after relegated Almeria and Granada—their attacking alternatives are expected to propel the team into the Champions League.  

They have made significant recruitments in the transfer window this summer to cover the loss of Alexander Sorlorth, who finished as the team's top scorer with 23 goals in the 2023–24 La Liga season, second only to Artem Dovbyk of Girona. 

Both 21-year-old attacker Thierno Barry and former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe have joined; Barry signed on Thursday following successful seasons in Belgium and Switzerland. For the pitiful sum of €4 million, Ayoze Perez has also agreed to a four-year contract with Real Betis, which is great value in the inflated modern market.  

Together with players like Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno, the new additions provide Marcelino a lot of depth and skill at the top of the field. 

But on the first day of play, Villarreal's returning Arnaut Danjuma took the lead with a well-executed finish that showcased some of the attacker's best qualities. After being deemed surplus to requirements by then-manager Quique Setien last season, the forward made a spectacular return to Estadio de la Ceramica.  

Axel Witsel had a comfortable five-yard head start over the Villarreal forward, but Danjuma used his strength and explosiveness to beat him to the ball after Diego Conde threw a long ball over the top. After swiftly gathering the ball at his feet, the Dutch attacker turned inside onto his right and then shuffled it to his left, putting a low shot past Jan Oblak into the far corner.  

Nicholas Pepe, who made an impressive cameo off the bench, nearly opened the Yellow Submarine's goal scoring account when his daring curling free kick attempt ricocheted against the bar. 

Perez, a versatile attacker who can play anywhere in a front three, will provide Marcelino's team with more firepower. He also made his first La Liga game for Villarreal.  

In fact, the 31-year-old had emphasized the team's European aspirations upon joining, stating: “I am aware of the demands of a club like Villarreal, of the project and of where we want to go. 

“We have a great head coach and a great group to achieve important things. I want to do my bit, as an attacker with goals and assists, to help the team get back into Europe.” 

The abundance of attacking weaponry at Marcelino's disposal will be crucial to propelling Villarreal back into Europe's top club tournament if they are to fulfill their European dreams and maybe earn fourth place. 

Defensive hires understand the need to establish 

Los Amarillos went from giving up just four more goals (40) than Real Madrid in the 2022–2023 season to allowing in an incredible 65 goals last season after Villarreal traded the gifted Pau Torres to Aston Villa in the summer of 2023.  

This led to Villarreal having the third-worst defense in the league statistically, as the Yellow Submarine was repeatedly punished by defensive lapses. Villarreal's defensive shortcomings may have contributed to their impressive eighth-place finish, as their offensive strength more than made up for their defensive shortcomings. 

Although last season's defensive issues generated headaches for the team's succession of coaches, Villarreal ended up being one of La Liga's most entertaining teams, scoring 130 goals overall in 38 games, second only to high-flying entertainers Girona (131).  

The club has made some wise moves and signed some promising players this summer in an apparent attempt to rectify the weaknesses that prevented Villarreal from making it to Europe the previous season.  

Logan Costa, a Cape Verdean international and former Toulouse defender, was purchased by them only this week for the highest reported upfront cost of €17.5 million, the most they have ever paid for a defender. The 23-year-old center-back has committed to a six-year contract with the Yellows, and Marcelino will be hoping for an instant effect and to help strengthen the team's shaky foundations. Willy Kambwala, a highly regarded young player for Manchester United, has also agreed to a five-year contract with the team for €11.5 million. It is also rumored that United has a buyback clause for the center-back. Sergi Cardona has also joined the Yellows from Las Palmas, a team in La Liga, while Marseille has added Pape Gueye to strengthen their midfield defense.  

Both Kambwala and Costa will excite the Yellow Submarine's supporters, who will view them as the long-term answers to their team's defensive fragility, even if they have yet to play for Villarreal.