Boateng the Poster Boy but Las Palmas’ Purple Patch a Collective Effort
Las Palmas boss Quique Setien may have only been in charge for a year, but the last 12 months have seen the Canaries’ sporting landscape change to the point where they are an attractive enough proposition to bring European journeyman Kevin-Prince Boateng into their ranks.
Formerly a bright hope for illustrious clubs such as AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and Schalke, Boateng’s ability has never been called into question, but his temperament and behaviour have, foreshadowing his dismissal from Bundesliga football last year. The Ghana international appears to be settling down into a professional mindset with third-placed Las Palmas, however, and has averaged a 7.40 WhoScored ratings across his opening two La Liga appearances, scoring two goals in the process.
“Boateng is safely the best player that I have managed,” Setien told Spanish radio show Al Primer Toque recently. “We have to be there for nine in the morning to train and Boateng arrives at eight, he is working to improve his fitness.”
Jonathan Viera has been a top performer since Setien’s arrival in 2015, with Roque Mesa also impressing in midfield, but slowly and surely Las Palmas have amassed enough creative talent to provide a lot of attacking solutions during quick forays into the opposition half. Their forward verticality is well-measured and scarily efficient for an assimilating side who are playing in the embryonic stages of the season, while Viera and Prince provide an eye for a killer pass as part of a deadly trio behind the striker.
During Las Palmas’ opening match day against Valencia, the Canaries slotted four goals past their unsteady adversaries. Regularly, defence was turned into dangerous attacks in a matter of a few forward passes, leaving Jose Gaya and Joao Cancelo needing to be alert to defend their back posts.
The visitors’ fourth goal in their 4-2 away victory at the Mestalla highlighted what Setien’s men are capable of, as Marko Livaja swept home a close-range finish after a quick break, as the in-form Nabil El Zhar and Prince played important roles on the night. Another quick break against Granada secured Prince’s second goal in a Las Palmas shirt, after a move was kick-started by a long pass downfield from goalkeeper Javi Varas. Momo then netted his first of the campaign after great work down the right from El Zhar, which all stemmed from a neat pass around the corner on the half-way line from Jonathan Viera less than ten seconds earlier.
There is a steely, lethal purpose to Las Palmas’ play, with Vicente Gomez and Roque Mesa’s tidy, steadfast resolve in midfield allowing for their side’s front four to play with relative freedom as soon as possession is turned over. Las Palmas have enjoyed less than 50% possession in both of their opening matches. Setien’s men do not need to dominate a match in order to rack up an impressive scoreline. Possessing a spring-loaded front four, it plays into their hands for opponents to try and dictate play and overcommit players in risky areas of the field.
With only 5.5 completed dribbles per match, which pales in significance to Real Madrid (14.5) and Barcelona (15.5), and it is evident that Las Palmas are prepared to let their opponents and the ball do all of the work in a reactive yet direct style of play which allows for Jonathan Viera to play a key creative role. Prince-Boateng may be the star name that everyone could easily point to as a part of the catalyst for early-season success, but Las Palmas arrived in the Spanish top-flight under Paco Herrera last year while playing neat, aesthetically pleasing football.
Quique Setien is now in charge, but their squad has not seen wholesale personnel changes since taking the step up, with a large portion of the Canaries’ promotion winning squad still playing first-team football. Success has not arrived overnight. Roque Mesa, Dani Castellano, Vicente Gomez, Momo, Jonathan Viera and Sergio Araujo are long-term pieces of Las Palmas’ furniture, who have witnessed an evolution of style since Herrera’s departure, which has seen a Setien father a favourable hybrid.
“They were already good before I arrived,” Setien explained to Onda Cero. “We had to connect with them, with the ball. These players here have so much quality and when they associate between themselves, when they find order, it allows what has happened to occur.”
His players still have the technical ability to impress, but they are being asked to play at a more explosive pace, transitioning quickly upfield to hit teams where it hurts, allowing for Viera’s quick-thinking and creativity to shine through. Prince-Boateng may have been the marquee name and star talent that Las Palmas needed to take both a sporting and commercial step forward this summer, but it will be the honest, long-term servants of the club who will be key in ensuring that their early-season form is not just a flash in the pan.
Can Las Palmas build on their 11th-placed finish from last season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
