Malaga's Winter Window Looking Quiet as Bosses Back Current Squad
Kike Pérez and new manager Funes indicate Malaga won't be splashing the cash this January, preferring to focus on getting injured players back to fitness.
Malaga Chiefs Suggest Winter Transfer Window Will Be a Damp Squib
The Malaga brass have dropped some heavy hints that fans shouldn’t expect much action when the transfer window opens next month, with both sporting director Kike Pérez and new gaffer Funes preferring to focus on getting their walking wounded back in action.
Current Squad Gets Vote of Confidence
At the club’s traditional Christmas lunch with local media, Kike Pérez made it crystal clear that wholesale changes aren’t on the agenda despite Malaga’s current predicament. The director general addressed the January window directly, explaining that while there are some funds available, it’s not exactly time to break the bank.
“With so many players and such a good squad, I don’t think we need to change much,” Pérez explained, showing faith in the current crop at La Rosaleda. He’s clearly not buying into the January savior myth that many clubs fall for when the going gets tough.
The brass tacks of the situation are:
- Squad places are currently filled
- Some budget exists but it’s limited
- The focus is on recovering injured players
- Pérez believes in continuity rather than mid-season upheaval
Funes Focusing on Injury Returns
New manager Funes, who recently took the reins at La Rosaleda, seems to be singing from the same hymn sheet. He acknowledged that without the injury crisis, he probably wouldn’t even be in the job - a refreshingly honest take from the new boss.
Rather than looking outside for reinforcements, Funes is prioritizing the return of key injured players like Ramón and Luismi Sánchez, viewing their comebacks as essentially “new signings” for the second half of the campaign.
Fitness Boosts Ahead of Albacete Trip
In more immediate news, there’s cautious optimism regarding Adrián Niño and Joaquín Muñoz, who both picked up knocks in Monday’s clash with Real Zaragoza. The pair have made progress in training, partially rejoining the group on Thursday after starting the week in the gym.
Their availability for the upcoming away day at Albacete’s Carlos Belmonte stadium will depend on how they respond to the final training sessions before the match. A couple of fitness tests and they might be good to go, which would be a right Bobby Dazzler for the traveling support.