The likes of Angel Di Maria, Alexis Sanchez, Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrara all made big-money moves from Spain to England in the summer but are any more La Liga stars heading to the Premier League in January? … [Read more...]
Di Maria to Manchester United – an analysis
Last season it was Mesut Ozil, this season it’s Angel Di Maria. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has always been known for doing good business in the transfer market. Ridding the squad of Angel Di Maria was probably not one of his best bits of business. According to BBC Sport, Di Maria signed for Manchester United for a record 59.7 million pounds. Perez might have recovered what was spent on Toni Kroos and a fraction of the fee paid for James Rodriguez, but the squad lost much more. … [Read more...]
World Cup star James is Madrid bound
Colombia and Monaco's young sensation James Rodriguez is reported to be arriving in Madrid imminently to sign for Los Blancos in a transfer that could become a world record fee. However the deal could hinge on the sale of one of Real's midfielders, with either Isco or Angel Di Maria being tipped as the ones to depart. According to reports in Spain and France, James' arrival looks to be a certainty, with all but the transfer fee to be decided, estimated to be around £80m. The youngster, 23, was asked whether he preferred Real Madrid or Barcelona following one of Colombia's matches at the World … [Read more...]
Di Maria’s Groin Grab Controversy
Carlo Ancelotti took the time honoured escape route when asked about Angel di Maria's gesture to the Real Madrid fans last night by claiming that he hadn't seen it. Speaking in the press conference following Madrid's unconvincing 3-0 victory at home to Celta Vigo, Ancelotti said: “I have not seen the gesture. I shook his hand and then I don't know what he did. It is news to me if he responded to the crowd and it is a mistake if he has – but life goes on." Ancelotti may have had the temporary blindness that so many managers seem to suffer from but I did see the gesture and it could land Di … [Read more...]
Barcelona Steal Plaudits in Exciting El Clasico
‘Underdogs’ Barcelona once again proved that Jose Mourinho has plenty more to do before he can finally overthrow the La Liga monarchy as his Real Madrid crumbled to a 3-1 defeat. Karim Benzema may have scored the quickest El Clasico goal after just 23 seconds but Barҫa scored 3 more to give Pep Guardiola and the Catalans the bragging rights once again through Alexis Sanchez, a deflected Xavi strike and a Cesc Fabregas header; yet the result could have been quite different had Cristiano Ronaldo not missed two glorious opportunities for Real, the very reason Mourinho used as his excuse for … [Read more...]
Five bold predictions for the new La Liga season
The La Liga football season gets under way again on the 24th August this year in Spain and with plenty of activity in the transfer market in both directions, it will be interesting to see how the sides line up for their return to domestic football in just under a month's time. Below La Liga Blog makes five bold predictions plus their explanations as to why for this year's highly-anticipated La Liga campaign. … [Read more...]