When your Sporting Director hints at an added reliance on the youth system within the club you automatically begin to think the worst, especially if you play second fiddle to a team like Barcelona. That's the complex situation currently unfolding at Espanyol however as worrying financial details have become visible over the past year. Espanyol had no option but to watch star players leave the club last summer and have already witnessed Javi Marquez exit for Mallorca and Kalu Uche for Turkey this year as another exodus beckons. … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2012
Luka Modric move to Real Madrid close to completion
This summer's biggest football soap opera - Luka Modric's proposed move to Real Madrid, looks to have taken another exciting turn this afternoon as sources in Croatia have confirmed that the deal which would see Tottenham Hotspur's Luka Modric move to La Liga champions Real Madrid is ready to take place. … [Read more...]
Rayo Vallecano Season Preview
As the scoreboard at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas ticked beyond the ninety minute mark a wild cheer could be heard even amongst the celebratory Madridistas in the Spanish capital. Fans burst onto the pitch sporadically but soon continuously, screaming their emotions to the sky as the final game of the season effectively ended with the decisive final kick. Rayo Vallecano fans roared in triumph with their hero Raul Tamudo, yet it could all have been so different. Winning a game deep into injury time ranks highest in football fan euphoria … [Read more...]
Zaragoza Season Preview
Of the names to have left La Romareda fans of Los Blanquillos have reasons to be both delighted and dismayed at two people who have committed to staying at Zaragoza for next season. Detested President Agapito Iglesias has refused to sell and leave the club having piled debt onto the exasperated balance sheets and made no real attempt to rid them. Thankfully however he brought in manager Manolo Jiminez who steered the club to La Liga safety in spite of the appalling circumstances and has decided to remain and avoid relegation once again. … [Read more...]
Granada Season Preview
Events surrounding Watford FC have been encapsulating during the summer break as Giampaolo Pozzo's takeover of the club kicks off. Having already fired one manager in Sean Dyche and replaced him with compatriot Gianfranco Zola it looks to be the beginning of a busy summer at Vicarage Road. As the Italian businessman's latest development roars into life another of Pozzo's ventures, Granada CF, ponder the implications of the magnate's actions and how it can work to their advantage. … [Read more...]
Deportivo La Coruna Season Preview
Depor took the Segunda title by storm last season, comfortably finishing as champions and returning to where their fans believe they belong. The club last graced La Liga just a season earlier but left the premier division a shamed side, a catastrophic mess. Financial worries had intensified and goal-shy tactics surmounted in one of the darkest days in the illustrious recent history of the Galician giants as they were relegated. … [Read more...]
Celta Vigo Season Preview
The upcoming La Liga season welcomes the return of the Galician derby between two of the division's new boys. Not since 2007 has the encounter been played in the top tier but Celta Vigo's final day draw ensured they'd meet rivals Deportivo La Coruna the following season. Unlike their west coast neighbours, who only dropped down for a single campaign, Celta gained promotion back to La Liga via the scenic route, narrowly avoiding going out of business and a further relegation from the Segunda Division. Star players were sold to balance the books and … [Read more...]
Real Valladolid Season Preview
If I were awarded the opportunity to christen the new La Liga season (what a noble honour) I feel that it would only be apt to name it 'David' after the famous underdog who slayed the mighty Goliath from the popular Bible myth. Consequently we could witness the terribly predictable hierarchical structure of the Spanish game collapse and succumb to even the tiniest of challengers (yes I'm talking about Rayo Vallecano) and a beautiful revolution would begin! Alas it appears unlikely even in Spain's capricious Premier division where up to amongst eight or nine rivals contest the title (ha!). … [Read more...]
David Villa almost ready to return to action for Barca
Thirty year old FC Barcelona striker David Villa is within touching distance of putting his seven month injury nightmare behind him after resuming full training with his Barca team-mates this week. … [Read more...]
Modric speculation continues – The latest La Liga transfer news
Today we have scoured online Spanish newspaper Marca.com to bring you the latest ongoing news in the Spanish transfer market. With speculation still looming on the whereabouts of Luka Modric, Bruno Soriano and Filippo Inzaghi next season, there is plenty of juicy transfer gossip for us to sink our teeth into. … [Read more...]