Martín Demichelis has started sketching the look of River Plate for 2024 and has already secured one foundational pillar in the team’s defense. The coach is outlining a structure that blends experience with fresh energy, aiming to keep the club competitive at the highest level while juggling the demands of a packed calendar.
For River Plate, the 2023 season isn’t finished. After a difficult start and the emotional roller coaster of narrowly missing out on Libertadores, the club remained a prime candidate to clinch the Professional League Cup and, in turn, chase the coveted double. Yet even as the domestic battles unfold, planning for the next campaign has begun, with the continental mission serving as the principal objective on the horizon.
WHEN WILL RIVER BE BACK IN ACTION IN 2024?
In that context, the transfer market has begun its quiet activity. As the 2024 preseason kicks off, the first new face expected to arrive is Nicolas Fonseca, a Uruguayan midfielder who joined midseason but chose to pursue another six months with Montevideo Wanderers. In addition, the club has moved to secure the continuity of one of the most dependable players from the ongoing cycle, reinforcing the squad’s stability.
RIVER PLATE’S ADDITIONS FOR THE COMING SEASON
Next Tuesday, November 7, a decision will be made by the Millionaire’s leadership regarding the use of the current purchase option on the loan of Leandro González Pírez. He has returned from Inter Miami and established himself as a regular starter under the coach, with a surprisingly low exit clause of just $200,000.
Beyond the logistics of ownership from the 2023 campaign, continuity hinges on the possibility that at least two center backs may depart. Kingpin defender Jonathan Maidana could retire, while Emanuel Mammana and David Martínez face uncertain futures as the club considers its defensive future. It is also unclear what will happen with the young talent Sebastian Boselli, a strategic administrative bet that yielded limited participation during the semester.
These decisions signal a balancing act: preserving a core group with proven leadership while courting new talent to rejuvenate the back line and maintain competitive resilience across multiple fronts.
As the club plots its 2024 path, the emphasis remains on building a robust, adaptable defense that can handle the rigors of long seasons and high-stakes matches. With a combination of familiar names and incoming players, River Plate seeks to preserve the club’s competitive spirit while evolving the squad to meet evolving tactical challenges.
In any planning phase of this scale, the emphasis is on tactical flexibility, player development, and the ability to respond quickly to the shifting dynamics of South American football. The upcoming decisions will shape how the team approaches domestic glory and continental campaigns, setting the tone for a demanding year ahead. (Goal)