The first international break of the season comes around quickly for La Liga teams and although only having started their campaigns two weekends ago, already find themselves with time off to reflect on their opening couple of fixtures. It may be far too early to read too much into the new campaign, but based on what we have seen in the 180 minutes each side has had to show case their talents, we can take some strong assumptions as to how the season may pan out. Asensio looks the Real deal Marco Asensio’s double against Valencia at the weekend proved what we already knew, that the 21-year-old is the likely heir to the Ronaldo throne. In all competitions, this season, the Spaniard has scored four goals in five games and is making Gareth Bale look surplus to requirements. Asensio’s form against Valencia took some of the pressure away from Real head coach Zinedine Zidane who saw his side draw 2-2 with Marcelino García Toral’s men in which Real had 22 shots to Valencia’s … [Read More...]
Spain fifth favourites for the World Cup ahead of qualifying clash with Italy
La Furia Roja or the Red Fury’s (for those like myself less au-fait with the Spanish language) dominance of World and European football may have been on the decline for a number of years since their 2012 European Championship title, but in the race to Russia, Spain are just edging nemesis Italy in the hunt for an automatic qualifying spot. As it stands, Spain and Italy are locked on 16 points together in first and second, however, largely thanks to Spain’s 8-0 drubbing of Liechtenstein in the opening qualifier, Julien Lopetegui’s men hold a +4-goal advantage over their Italian rivals as the two prepare to meet on Spanish soil. Whoever wins at the Santiago Bernabeu is likely to top group G and leave the defeated with a tricky second round play-off fixture to contend with. When the two sides met in Turin last October, Vitolo gave the visitors a 1-0 lead before an 82nd minute penalty by Daniele De Rossi rescued a point for the grateful Italians. A similar result will suit … [Read More...]
La Liga Season Preview: Real Hot to Trot Once More?
Real Madrid’s five year wait to reclaim the La Liga title for a record 33rd time in the competitions 88-year history, but the question this season is can they retain the trophy they had to wait half a decade for? If the transfer window is anything to go by, then Barcelona’s sale of Neymar Jr to Paris St Germain for an astronomical £190m has only enhanced Los Blancos title credentials (at least until Barcelona splash the cash on his replacement) but Zinedine Zidane will be wary of former Athletic Bilbao and Valencia head coach Ernesto Valverde who leaps into the Camp Nou hotseat. The 53-year-old arrives back in Barcelona having won the 1990 Copa Del Rey with the Blaugrana and a solid reputation as a manager after having guided Espanyol to the 2007 UEFA Cup final (where they lost an all-Spanish tie to Sevilla) and three Greek super league titles with Olympiacos. It is expected that Valverde will bring a level of discipline to the Camp Nou which started to wane rapidly during … [Read More...]
Liverpool demand quality player in exchange for Philippe Coutinho
According to reports from Spanish outlet Diario Gol, Liverpool want Ivan Rakitic as part of the potential deal taking Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona. Despite their tough stance, Liverpool now look resigned to losing the services of Philippe Coutinho after the player handed in a transfer request and the Reds are currently believed to be in negotiations with Barcelona over the sale of the Brazilian playmaker. A fee of around £133million has been quoted for the potential transfer but in recent times, there has been talk that Liverpool could look to agree a cash plus player deal for Coutinho and the Reds are looking at players to acquire from the Catalan giants. Andre Gomes has been mentioned as a potential target for Liverpool but now according to reports from Diario Gol, claims are being made that the Reds are looking to acquire the services of Ivan Rakitic. Rakitic is a very experienced player who has been crucial to Barcelona since his arrival to the club back in 2014 and … [Read More...]
Tottenham to face competition from Real Madrid for top target
According to reports from De Telegraaf, Tottenham Hotspur could be handed huge blow in their hopes of signing Ajax Amsterdam’s Davinson Sanchez as even Real Madrid have joined in the race. Tottenham’s lack of activity during the current transfer window has certainly worried the club faithful and with only two weeks remaining before deadline day, time is certainly running out for Spurs to bring in new players to North London this summer. As an encouragement, reports have strongly claimed that Tottenham are pursuing the services of Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez and that the Premier League title contenders were close to signing the 21-year-old for a fee of around £36million. In a huge blow for Tottenham though, revelations can now be made by De Telegraaf that even Real Madrid have joined in the race to sign Sanchez and the European giants coming into the mix certainly hurts’ Spurs chances of landing the Colombian international. The 21-year-old Sanchez is a very promising … [Read More...]
Ex-Tottenham star explains the extreme lengths Coutinho could go, to force Barcelona move
Former Tottenham Hotspur man Jermaine Jenas believes Philippe Coutinho will do all he can to earn Barcelona move – even feign injuries, as reported by the Daily Star. It is no secret that Barcelona have been desperate to sign a replacement for Neymar and have identified Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho as the ideal candidate to fill in the void left by the Brazilian superstar. Liverpool have been adamant that they will not look to sell Coutinho at any price but as a huge shock to the Reds, the attacking midfielder recently handed in a transfer request and it is clear that the 25-year-old wants to leave Anfield for the Nou Camp this summer. The Premier League outfit are still hopeful that they will be able to hold on to the services of Coutinho despite the transfer request but former Tottenham Hotspur star Jermaine Jenas is fearful that the ex-Inter man could go to great lengths this month in order to force a move to Barcelona. Jenas told 5Live: “It is going to get messy … [Read More...]
West Ham United in talks to sign up 30-year-old
According to reports from the Daily Mail, West Ham United are looking to convince goalkeeper Adrian to stay put at the London Stadium. West Ham United certainly pulled off a major coup by securing the services of goalkeeper Joe Hart on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City but the arrival of the England international has left Adrian fearing for his place in the Hammers side. As a result, Adrian is said to be looking for a move away from the London Stadium as he believes that the arrival of Hart will severely dent his hopes of earning regular first team football during the current Premier League campaign. However, West Ham do not want to allow Adrian to leave and according to reports from the Daily Mail, the London side are said to be in talks with the 30-year-old over a new contract, despite him only signing a fresh deal just three months ago. Speaking about the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper, manager Slaven Bilic said, “We are happy that Joe Hart joined us. It … [Read More...]
Tottenham reportedly set a huge asking price on Barcelona’s 25-year-old target
As reported by the Independent, Tottenham Hotspur will not be allowing star attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen to leave the club for anything less than £100million. Barcelona have faced a lot of frustration in their hopes of signing a replacement for Neymar as top targets Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele have both been made unavailable for a transfer by their respective clubs. While Barcelona have still not given up on their hopes of signing either Coutinho or Dembele, they are said to be making contingency plans as well at the moment and it was revealed on Friday that the Catalans are currently eyeing up a move for Tottenham star Christian Eriksen. Eriksen has arguably been one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League over the past few seasons and Barcelona are said to be keen on acquiring the Danish international as an alternative option to Coutinho. However, Tottenham understandably do not want to lose out on the services of Eriksen and the … [Read More...]