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 … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2017
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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...]
Tottenham finally open talks regarding first signing of the summer
According to reports from Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks over the signing of Celta Vigo midfielder Pape Cheikh Diop. Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles to bring in new players to North London during the current transfer window have been well documented and such failures has been a source of much frustration for the fans as well as some players. However, there might finally be good news on the transfer front for the fans as Sky Sports have gone on to reveal that Tottenham have opened talks to in an attempt to make their first signing of the summer in the form of Celta Vigo … [Read more...]
Tottenham star wants to join giants due to this reason
According to reports from Spanish outlet Diario Gol, Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Dele Alli is keen on a move to Barcelona as he is lured by the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi. Barcelona are desperately looking to find a replacement for Neymar and the Catalan giants have strongly been linked with the duo of Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho over the past few weeks. However, both Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool are adamant that they do not want to lose their respective stars this summer and Barcelona now may well have to look at other targets as they attempt to … [Read more...]