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...]
Liverpool get Atletico’s Manquillo on loan
Liverpool have completed a deal to sign full-back Javier Manquillo on loan for two seasons. The Spanish youth international joins from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, and will remain at Anfield until 2016. The Reds have fought off competition from Arsenal, who were thought to be interested in Manquillo, before signing Callum Chambers from Southampton. It now means Brendan Rodgers has taken his tally of summer signings to seven, and could bring in yet more ahead of their return to the Champions League. The club has welcomed Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Emre Can, Lazar … [Read more...]
Analyzing the Signing of Luis Suarez
With Barcelona publicly announcing the successful signing of Luis Suarez, the constant rumor has become a reality. When Neymar is fit and Suarez’s ban is over, Barcelona will boast a frontline that contains 3 of the best strikers in the world: Messi is the best in the world, Suarez was the best in the EPL last season, and Neymar was arguably the best at the World Cup. Thus, on paper Barcelona’s new attack looks nearly unstoppable. However, just because something looks good and sounds good, doesn’t mean it is. As such, it is worth analyzing the problems Suarez’s arrival could have, as Eric … [Read more...]
Will Luis Suarez be in La Liga next season?
For all his wonderful talent and goal-scoring ability, Luis Suarez creates chaos wherever he is. The Uruguayan striker showed promising signs of returning to redemption during a fantastic goal-scoring with Liverpool who came within a whisker of surprising the odds and winning the Premier League. His thirty-one goal haul was enough for Suarez to not only eclipse every other player in the English top flight, but also win the European Golden Boot ahead of La Liga stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The striker let his finishing do the talking, although his temperament and tendency to go … [Read more...]
Sanchez prefers Arsenal move over Liverpool
Barcelona's Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez looks to be on his way out of the Nou Camp, with Arsenal leading the race to sign him. Liverpool are also keen on Sanchez, and wanted to take him to Anfield as part of the Luis Suarez transfer, but Spanish media are reporting that the striker's preference is a move to London. With Barca continuing to negotiate with Liverpool for Suarez, they too would be happy for Sanchez to choose Liverpool in a bid to cut the expected £63m fee. However, Sanchez is said to want to move to either Arsenal or Juventus, with both clubs reluctant to enter into a bidding … [Read more...]
Barcelona and Liverpool to discuss Suarez transfer
Negotiations between Barcelona and Liverpool will begin this week over the potential transfer of Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan, who faces a four month ban from football for biting Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, is likely to cost Barca in the region of £60m. Suarez issued an apology for the incident on Monday, and key figures at Barcelona have been quick to praise the striker for his humility. "He plays for a rival team," said President Josep Bartomeu. "But what I can say, as a football person, is that apologising has been to his credit, because when you make a mistake you should … [Read more...]
Should he stay or should he go? Suarez’s transfer to La Liga
If recent media reports are to be believed, Luis Suarez may soon make the switch from the EPL to La Liga and with details already being talked about in public –Barcelona would pay around 30 million Euros (the number was a high as 85 million before Suarez’s “incident” at the World Cup) to Liverpool and possibly send Pedro and/or Sanchez as well— the possibility of a deal is real. Thus, the question becomes not if Suarez will move from the EPL to La Liga but should he? Eric Duffy explains. The reasons to move from Liverpool to Barcelona are simple. First, Suarez is currently one of the best … [Read more...]
Man United and Liverpool among clubs in the race for Antoine Griezmann
Real Sociedad star Antonine Griezmann is wanted by a host of Premier League clubs including Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal the Sunday Mirror reports. The 23 year old French winger has lit up the Primera Division this season with a series of top drawer performances, netting 16 goals in the process. … [Read more...]
What’s the future for Barcelona?
Barcelona are still reeling from the news that they have been handed a 14 month transfer embargo by FIFA. They have announced an appeal, but could this be turning into an annus mirabilis for Tata Martino's team, and if so how will they cope with it? Barcelona were always seen as being above the temptations that other teams succumbed to. They didn't chase sponsorship, instead supporting Unicef on the front of their shirts. They weren't interested in corporate Euros. The club was run by fans, and was famous for their spirit of fair play. They were, to coin their immortal phrase, more than a … [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...]