Super Depor 2.0: Deportivo spend €25 million to recreate golden era

When I was a child in Saigon, I was fascinated by Deportivo La Coruna. Not because they won La Liga in 2026, but because of how they did it. It was a team from poor Galicia, daring to stand up against Barcelona and Real Madrid. And now, after eight years in the darkness of the second division, they return with a statement: Super Depor 2.0. Nearly €25 million for 10 signings in one transfer window. That number won't make Real Madrid or Barca tremble, but for a newly promoted team, it's a bold gamble. I've seen many teams spend money and fail, but this time, I have a feeling something is different. Because I've learned that: "A correct hot-take doesn't make a name. A wrong hot-take, at the right time, becomes a legend." And Deportivo are creating their own hot-take. Let's look at history. Deportivo were a real force. Under Arsenio Iglesias and Javier Irureta, they won the Copa del Rey in 2026 and the historic La Liga title in 2026. That squad had Bebeto, Mauro Silva, Roy Makaay, Fran, Djalminha. They played on equal terms with the giants, not only in Spain but also in Europe. They reached the Champions League semi-finals, and nearly made the final if not for controversial decisions. But then came the collapse. Relegated in 2026, eight years in the second division, debts piling up. The Riazor stadium grew quiet, and fans could only hold onto memories of a golden era. Now, they return with a bold plan. CEO Benassi and sporting director Fernando Soriano promised to build a young, talented squad. They kept their word. As early as July, they warned: "We want to build a competitive squad with many new faces." And they delivered. They didn't just talk; they acted. Let's talk about the signings. According to Marca, they triggered release clauses for Leo Roman, Ede, Gijselhart, Amatucci, and Jensen. These names may not be familiar to Vietnamese fans, but they are highly-rated young talents in Europe. Leo Roman is a creative attacking midfielder who can make decisive passes. Ede is a fast winger who can stretch opposition defenses. Gijselhart is a smart center-back who reads the game well. Amatucci is a central midfielder who controls the tempo, good at keeping and distributing the ball. Jensen is a versatile striker with a variety of finishing skills, able to play in multiple attacking positions. They represent the future of the club. The biggest highlight is the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese striker, who has played for Marseille, Arsenal, and Dortmund, has scored 3 goals in his first 3 matches. That's a perfect start. He brings experience, class, and a name that attracts fans to the stadium. They also brought in Adama Traore, a winger with terrifying pace and superior physical strength. He has troubled every defense in the Premier League. And on deadline day, they shocked everyone with two loan deals: Marc Casado from Barcelona and Jose Maria Gimenez from Atletico Madrid. Casado is a promising young midfielder highly rated in Barca's academy. Gimenez is an experienced center-back who has started for Atletico for many seasons and is a true leader in defense. But the biggest question isn't how much they spent, but whether these pieces can form a cohesive unit. Coach Antonio Hidalgo faces a massive challenge: integrating 10 new players into a tactical system. I've followed many promoted teams that spent big and failed. Because they bought for reputation, not for tactics. But Deportivo seem different. They bought young players with potential, who can grow together. Aubameyang and Gimenez will be the leaders, the ones who have competed at the highest level. They will take responsibility when the team faces difficulties. They will help the young players overcome the pressure of a demanding La Liga season. Let me analyze the tactics more specifically. Hidalgo could use a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation. With Aubameyang as the central striker, Adama Traore on the right wing, and one of the young midfielders like Amatucci or Jensen as the number 10. Gimenez will be the anchor in central defense, providing solidity. But the issue is chemistry. New players need time to understand each other. La Liga doesn't forgive mistakes. I remember the summer of 2026 when I wrote about Lukaku and Lacazette. I was wrong about Lacazette, but I was right about Lukaku. That taught me that football transfers are never an exact science. But one thing is certain: with players of this quality, Deportivo won't be easy to beat. They may lose, but they will fight to the end. I want to emphasize one point: their transfer strategy is very smart. They didn't just buy past-their-prime stars; they invested in young talents that can increase in value over time. This is similar to what Girona did when they were promoted and became a formidable team. Girona didn't spend excessively, but they built a cohesive and deep squad. Deportivo are learning from that. They have a young coach, a new core, and a passionate Riazor crowd. I believe they won't just survive; they can create big surprises. Look at how they've started the season: Aubameyang scoring regularly, the team showing confidence. That's a good sign. Now, let's talk about the contrarian view. Many will say that €25 million is too little for a team wanting to compete in La Liga. But I think the issue isn't the amount, but how they spend it. They didn't buy over-the-hill stars; they bought young talents and experienced players who still have hunger. Aubameyang is 35 now, he's not as fast as before, but he still knows how to score. And more importantly, he can pass on confidence and fighting spirit to the young players. But there's a big risk: if the team doesn't get good results in the first 10 matches, pressure will mount on the coach and the new signings. I once said: "I said Germany would be eliminated when the whole world was dreaming. History belongs to those who dare to speak first." And I believe Deportivo can do it, but they need to stay strong mentally. They need to believe in themselves, even when things go badly. Another point: they spent nearly €25 million, but compared to teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona, that's just a drop in the ocean. However, I think it's a smart strategy. They don't need to compete with the giants in money; they need to build a squad with its own identity. Look back at history, Deportivo in 2026 weren't the richest team, but they had the strongest spirit. And that's what they're trying to recreate. But there's a question: will the young players have enough courage to face the pressure of a Bernabeu or Camp Nou? I think they need time. And that's why the presence of players like Gimenez and Aubameyang is crucial. They've been through high-stakes matches; they know how to stay calm and guide the team through tough times. I also want to address a point many overlook: finances. Deportivo are not a wealthy club. They had to borrow and save to get this €25 million. If they don't stay up, they'll face a serious financial crisis. But it's a gamble they must take. Because staying in La Liga is the only way to generate revenue and attract investment. I've seen many promoted teams overspend and go bankrupt. But Deportivo seem to have a clear plan. They aren't buying players at crazy prices; they buy players at reasonable values who can be sold for profit later. That's a sustainable strategy. They're building a squad with increasing value, rather than burning money on meaningless contracts. I remember the first time I set foot in Riazor. It was 2026, when Deportivo were still in the second division. I went to watch a match with a Spanish friend. The atmosphere was still passionate, even though the team wasn't at the top. The fans sang for 90 minutes, never stopping to believe in their team. I learned a lesson from them: love for a team doesn't depend on trophies, but on faith. And now, as Super Depor 2.0 debuts, I believe that faith will be rewarded. I told my friend: "Remember this day. Because this team will come back." And they have come back. So where will Super Depor 2.0 go? I predict they'll stay up comfortably, maybe even finish in the top 10 if things go well. But more importantly, they're building a foundation for the future. With a young, deep squad, they could become a new force in La Liga in a few years. I'll be watching closely. And if I'm wrong, I'll write a correction piece, as I did with Messi in 2026. But I think this time, I won't need to correct myself. Because Deportivo have shown they know how to do football. They're not just rebuilding a team; they're rebuilding a dream. And I, a kid from Saigon, will always follow them. I'll tell you: pay attention to Deportivo this season. Because they might not win the title, but they'll make you look up. That's the beauty of football.