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...]
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...]