It looks certain that Valencia midfielder Sergio Canales will be heading to the English Premier League this week – the only question is where will he be heading? Everton and Fulham are battling for his signature. Canales is a 22 year old attacking midfielder on the fringes of the Valencia team. He started his career at Racing Santander and was seen as one of the hottest prospects in Spanish football when he moved to Real Madrid in 2010. It was then that he picked up his first major injury – a knee ligament injury that sidelined him for six months. He returned for Madrid, but five games later … [Read more...]
Saul Own Goal As Liverpool Look On
Liverpool representatives were in Vallecano last night, but transfer target Saul Niguez scored an own goal as Rayo Vallecano lost 4-2 at home to Atletico Madrid. It was a welcome return to winning ways for Atleti, after two La Liga draws in a row. The win put them level on points with Barcelona at the top, one point above a resurgent Real Madrid. The three way battle should continue until the last round of the season. Atletico were full of attacking intent from the start. Turkish international Arda, having a fine season on the opposite flank to Koke, was menacing Vallecano at every … [Read more...]
Athletic Romp To Victory Over Osasuna
Athletic Bilbao eased to a superb 5-1 victory at Osasuna, cementing their place in the fourth Champion's League spot. Athletic's previously off-form striker Aritz Aduriz regained his scoring touch. He grabbed two goals and set up another for substitute Ibai Gomez. A man of the match performance. Osasuna are only three points from the drop zone now. Their problem all season has been scoring goals, but when Armanteros scored a tenth minute free-kick equaliser to cancel out a fourth minute goal from Athletic's Susaeta, things were looking promising. Little did they know that the floodgates were … [Read more...]
Almeria 1-0 Getafe
Almeria secured a vital 1-0 victory at home to Getafe today, a win that lifts them above Real Valladolid and out of the La Liga bottom three. A win looked unlikely in the first half. Getafe had more possession, and looked more of a threat when they had the ball. They were particularly unlucky in the twentieth minute when midfielder Michel had the ball in the net, only for it to be wrongly ruled offside. By half time, Almeria were hanging on. A Lopez header that cannoned back of the crossbar was just one of the efforts that should have given the away side a lead. Getafe seemed dejected to go in … [Read more...]
Real Valladolid 1-0 Villareal
Real Valladolid pulled out a shock 1-0 victory over Villareal today to move out of the La Liga relegation zone. It was a welcome victory for Vallodolid, who were in the bottom three going into this game at the Zorrilla. Villareal, on the other hand, have been enjoying a fine campaign, and are locked in a battle with Athletic Bilbao for the fourth champion's league spot after three consecutive wins. It was a tight start to the game, Bilbao seemed nervoud and without their fluency. There were few chances on either side until the breakthrough came in the 39th minute. A Fausto Rossi free kick was … [Read more...]
Liverpool And Arsenal Battle For Tello
Barcelona forward Cristian Tello finds himself in a transfer window tug of war, with both Liverpool and Arsenal battling to secure his services. The tall, wiry 22 year old has been a peripheral figure in the Barcelona side and may have to leave to gain more first team football. Arsenal boss Wenger has said that he isn't in the market for a player this January, but is he playing a canny game and keeping his hand hidden? Liverpool are also in the market for an attacker. They have little back up to Suarez and Sturridge, and see Tello as a player with more promise than Aspas and Victor Moses. He … [Read more...]
Kagawa To Leave Manchester For Madrid
Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa will soon be on his way to Atletico Madrid as a knock on effect of the Juan Mata transfer. Atletico manager Diego Simeone had been in the hunt for Mata himself, but has conceded that Manchester United have won the transfer battle. The Spaniard's arrival at Old Trafford will limit opportunities even more for Kagawa and a move to Madrid will be ideal for all parties. Kagawa came to Old Trafford with a fabulous reputation from Borussia Dortmund, but he has endured a very stop-start two years in Manchester. In March 2013 he scored a hat-trick against Norwich City … [Read more...]
Chelsea To Sign Real Sociedad Forward
Jose Mourinho is set to bring in his second signing of the transfer window – Real Sociedad's young Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann. Juan Mata will be leaving Stamford Bridge within 48 hours, although it's still not certain to be Manchester United rather than Atletico Madrid, and Mourinho is moving swiftly to secure a replacement. Griezmann has youth on his side. Aged only 22, he has already made over 160 appearances for the San Sebastian club, scoring 42 goals in the process. He can play as a centre forward, although he is more often deployed as a left winger. This has been a breakthrough season … [Read more...]
Mata Move To Manchester May Be Off – Atletico Await
Spanish midfielder Juan Mata's move from Chelsea to Manchester United could be scuppered in the unlikeliest of ways – by Manchester United manager David Moyes. Talks are at an advanced stage between Mata and Manchester United advisors. His relationship with Jose Mourinho has broken down, and Mata doesn't feel that he will get the chances that he deserves at Stamford Bridge this season. There is fierce competition for a place in the Spain midfield at this summer's World Cup, and Mata knows that he needs to grab as much game time as possible before then with him currently at 6/4 to make the … [Read more...]
Row between Perez and supporters rages on
The animosity between members of the now defunct Ultras Sur and Real Madrid President Florentino Perez looks set to continue as the fan group relent in their quest to return to the Bernabeu. The Ultras Sur, Real Madrid's fervent supporters formerly housed in the South stand at the Bernabeu, remain upset about their treatment after 500 season tickets were rescinded after an altercation before a match with Real Sociedad. The fans are angry with how Perez has dealt with the situation as the club welcomed a new section to replace the Ultras made up of young fans. … [Read more...]