Antonio Cordón’s Strategic Overhaul at Sevilla: A Mid-Season Review

Antonio Cordón joined Sevilla in June with a challenging mandate: to navigate the club’s leanest transfer market in the last two decades. “The primary mission is to build a squad committed to excellence, and this requires a diverse range of players,” he stated at his introductory press conference. Following the appointment of Matías Almeyda as head coach and the acquisition of Alfon by Víctor Orta, Cordón acted swiftly in his initial weeks, securing free transfers for Gabriel Suazo, who left Toulouse, and Odysseas Vlachodimos, who joined on loan from Newcastle.

After a summer filled with speculation but limited movement, Cordón shifted his focus to the final stretch of the transfer window. He facilitated the departures of Loïc Badé, Stanis Idumbo, and Dodi Lukébakio, freeing up Kelechi Iheanacho and loaning out Adrià Pedrosa and Rafa Mir. Meanwhile, he brought in César Azpilicueta, Fábio Cardoso, and Alexis Sánchez on free transfers, alongside Batista Mendy, who was loaned from Trabzonspor for a fee of €250,000. Now, with nearly four months into the season, it is time to evaluate his performance thus far.

Among the ten players with the most minutes this season at Sevilla, three were signed under Cordón’s direction: Vlachodimos, Suazo, and Mendy. The Greek goalkeeper is the most utilized player after Carmona and has been especially impressive. Since taking over the starting position from Nyland, his performances have been crucial in securing points and instilling a sense of security within a shaky defense. To date, he has conceded 20 goals in 14 matches and achieved three clean sheets. If his form continues, retaining him for the next season seems unlikely.

Suazo has also been a consistent performer, although he has had a few minor errors, such as during the match against Mallorca. He is a key player for Almeyda and has no natural substitute until Oso’s emergence. His competitive spirit remains unwavering, and he leads LaLiga in successful tackles (36). His extensive playtime with both Sevilla and his national team has occasionally impacted his performance. Overall, the Chilean has participated in 13 matches, providing two assists due to his proficiency in set-pieces.

The third pivotal signing by Cordón, Mendy, not only adds physicality to the midfield but also possesses excellent tactical awareness, enabling him to cover significant ground. He ranks as the eighth player in the league for most fouls committed (27) but has received only two yellow cards, in a Sevilla side that has accumulated 55. Despite a low point marked by a glaring error in the Sevilla derby, he rebounded impressively with a stunning goal against Oviedo. His purchase option stands at €7 million, a modest sum considering his potential.

A notable weakness for Sevilla last season was the inexperience of its squad. To address this, Cordón recruited three seasoned players to bolster the team’s mentality. The first was César Azpilicueta, who has become their best defender at the age of 36. Like Odysseas, he brings substantial calmness to the backline, and Almeyda has granted him nearly every available minute. However, physical issues have hindered his contributions. With Azpilicueta, the team has conceded 9 goals in 8 matches, while they have allowed 20 in 13 without him.

The most high-profile and surprising addition among Cordón’s six signings is Alexis Sánchez. At 37, he is recognized as the most talented player in Sevilla. He began his tenure with promise, netting two goals and providing an assist in his first five matches. However, after suffering an injury in late October, he struggled to regain his form until a standout performance at the Santiago Bernabéu, marking his best night as a Sevilla player. He joined to provide support and has fulfilled his role admirably.

Lastly, Fábio Cardoso has seen the least playing time. His limited appearances might suggest a marginal role, yet he has started four matches, achieving three wins and one loss. Except for his debut against Rayo Vallecano, his contributions have not been particularly convincing, although he has leveraged his experience to successfully navigate several plays. Importantly, two of the team’s four clean sheets have been achieved with him on the pitch.

So far, Cordón can take satisfaction with his summer transfer dealings at Sevilla, especially given the precarious circumstances he faced. Looking ahead to January, he will need to rise to the challenge once more in what is expected to be an equally challenging transfer window, as he will be compelled to continue offloading assets while operating with limited room for error.