Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly scouting Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi, and could start a bidding war to get their hands on the expensive Argentinian. The 26-year-old is highly rated and Valencia have a massive buyout clause in the defender's contract, but that hasn't stopped the two English clubs. Arsenal are after Villarreal's Gabriel Paulista, but have been monitoring Otamendi for some time, as have United. Scouts from Old Trafford were rumoured to have stepped up their pursuit of Otamentdi by attending Valencia's game against Almeria on Saturday, but the defender picked … [Read more...]
Exclusive: Ronaldo hoping for United European return
Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping that Manchester United can end their European exile and qualify for the Champions League this season. The Red Devils face Manchester City on Sunday, hoping their late draw with Chelsea last week will spur them on against their out of form rivals. Whilst 9 points off of leaders Chelsea, United are looking to firstly step back into Europe, having invested heavily during the summer. Under David Moyes, United missed out on European qualification last season and now find themselves in the unusual position of watching Europe's elite on TV every fortnight. Ex-United man … [Read more...]
Chelsea hotshot Costa set to improve La Roja relationship
Diego Costa has been one of the most highly rated strikers in world football for the past 18 months, topping the scoring charts at Chelsea despite claims of injury from boss Jose Mourinho. With 9 goals in his first 7 games in England, Costa's reputation has already begun to change from a one-season wonder at Atletico to one of Europe's deadliest finishers. However, supporters of his national football team are yet to be convinced. Costa endured plenty of criticism for switching allegiance from Brazil to Spain months before the World Cup began, though thoroughly merited his inclusion in the … [Read more...]
Can Madrid’s strikeforce fire them to the La Liga title?
Real Madrid have been on a scoring spree having notched 13 times in their previous two outings! The club has reinforced heavily throughout Carlo Ancelotti's reign as manager, having brought in James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale for a combined £145 million. That's not to mention the £80 million spent on Cristiano Ronaldo when he moved from Manchester United. The club also has Karim Benzema, Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez (once he recovers from injury) to make up a frightening front line. Madrid have already lost two games in La Liga this season, but with their attack beginning to click, can … [Read more...]
Five players who will bring Spain success again
Despite a disastrous World Cup, Spain played their first competitive game since failing miserably in Brazil by defending their European Championships crown. Vicente del Bosque fielded a side vastly different from the World Cup as retirements and injuries kept those who had represented Spain during their golden era out. There was a modicum of pressure on some of the players ahead of the home qualifier against Macedonia, especially as Spain had lost to France in a friendly beforehand, but the side stood up to the test in a half-empty Ciutat de Valencia stadium to win 5-1. Of those new players, … [Read more...]
Atletico sign Alessio Cerci
Atletico Madrid have today completed a deal to sign Alessio Cerci from Torino after the forward completed a medical with the La Liga champions. Italian international Cerci joins on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. 27-year-old Cerci scored 11 times for Torino last season as he and Ciro Immobile formed a formidable forward duo for the Turin club. He helped them to qualify for the Europa League, but Serie A's leading scorer Immobile departed for Borussia Dortmund, and Cerci followed him out of the Torino door. Atletico, who struggled past lowly Eibar at the weekend, need to reinforce … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Real Madrid to Villarreal
Rounding off the ones to watch are four of La Liga's biggest teams as Real Madrid look to wrangle the title back from their rivals Atletico as it could be a defining year for Gareth Bale. Real Madrid If asked to name members of the Real Madrid squad, there are few who would struggle to list the majority in Carlo Ancelotti's Galactico squad, so in terms of a surprise package, there are few candidates. Madrid's spending in recent years has been so frequent, parting with £70m or £80 million is now almost a thoughtless action. New stars Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez pack an already saturated … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Getafe to Rayo Vallecano
Part III of our look ahead to the new season focuses on some goalkeepers, Colombians and loan stars from the Premier League looking to impress. Getafe Getafe struggled for goals last season as they eked out their place in La Liga for another year, but boss Cosmin Contra has again promised that the goals will return to the club. He might be right too if Alvaro Vazquez's pre-season form is anything to go by. The former Swansea loanee bagged an impressive brace in Getafe's 3-1 win over Cagliari last week and could be the talisman the club needs to ensure another season of safety. Angel Lafita, … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Cordoba to Espanyol
Continuing the round-up of players to watch this season, we now feature a couple of players looking to impress whilst on loan, and three clubs having come up from the Segunda. Cordoba An astonishing piece of business was done to bring Valencia starlet Fede Cartabia to the newly promoted club during the close season. The 21-year-old Argentine was tipped to have a better season for Los Che in 2014/15 after fans expected more from the youngster in his debut campaign. However, the bewildering decision to let the youngster continue his development in a team widely tipped to struggle this season … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Almeria to Celta Vigo
With the new season just days away, we have assembled a list of players who are most likely to cause an unexpected stir in La Liga this season. La Liga has been the breeding ground for the Premier League for a few seasons now, and some of these future stars could be bound for England next summer. Almeria There was no mistaking which area Almeria struggled most with last season as they survived in La Liga by a whisker, despite conceding a whopping 71 times. If anything, credit must go to the attacking department, for without their contributions, Almeria would have been sent straight back down … [Read more...]