What has Villarreal CF announced for the pre‑season?
Villarreal CF has kicked off its 2026‑27 project with Monday's medical tests, officially starting pre‑season. The club confirmed that no new faces are joining the squad and that five players have already left: Alfonso Pedraza, Thomas Partey, Dani Parejo, Alfon González and Rafa Marín.
How does the lack of new signings affect the team?
Without fresh arrivals, the manager will rely on the continuity of current starters. The departures include internationally‑experienced players, forcing younger members to take on responsibilities before the World Cup‑bound internationals return. Moreover, the missing reinforcements make an intensive pre‑season essential to fine‑tune collective play.
Which friendly matches are scheduled?
So far, the club has confirmed five friendlies: Benfica on July 17 at 20:45, PSV on July 25 at 18:00, Al‑Ula on July 29 at 19:00, Como the same day at 22:00 and Galatasaray on August 8 at 20:00. These games will test different line‑ups and give minutes to players returning from the World Cup, such as Alex Freeman and Renato Veiga, who will join the squad close to the league start.
What does this mean for the La Liga campaign?
With 72 points, Villarreal CF sits 3rd in La Liga, holding a record of 22 wins, 6 draws and 10 losses, and a recent form of W‑L‑L‑D‑W. The team has scored 72 goals and conceded 46, keeping a +26 goal difference, yet remains 22 points behind leaders Barcelona. A pre‑season without reinforcements puts pressure on the squad to maintain momentum and close the gap in the title race.
What’s next for the club?
Training begins on Thursday after the medical phase. The coaching staff will assess fitness and tactics before the first friendlies. The lack of new faces forces the current roster to show cohesion and resilience while internationals return from their World Cup duties. The aim is to enter the season with a solid unit capable of challenging Spain’s top clubs.
