Without any shadow of a doubt 2014 has been a year to savour for Toni Kroos, winning the World Cup this summer in Brazil and subsequently earning a move to Champions League winners Real Madrid. Kroos has seen his stock increase dramatically since joining Real Madrid, with consistent displays of majestic passing of the highest order. Quality which has nullified the impact of losing such key loses as Xabi Alonso and Di Maria, who were the spine of the La Decima campaign. Xabi Alonso operated as the base of the midfield alongside Luka Modric, with the dynamic Di Maria just ahead of them. Which … [Read more...]
Khedira future uncertain amidst Arsenal and Bayern rumours
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is making all sorts of headlines ahead of the January transfer window, with reports linking him with a move away from the Bernabeu. Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are all interested in the German, whilst some media outlets are saying the Galacticos want to keep him. Reports on Spanish radio last night exclaimed that Khedira had agreed a pre-contract agreement to join Bayern Munich, dashing the hopes of both Arsenal and Manchester United. The clubs were all willing to meet Khedira's £10m valuation, but Bayern Munich look to have again … [Read more...]
Khedira rules out Real move to Arsenal and Ramos hails team unity
27-year-old Sami Khedira has been heavily linked with a move away from the Bernabeu in recent months with Chelsea and most notably Arsenal credited with interest. Khedira is yet to make a La Liga start this season, with only four appearances as a substitute, but has been told by Ancelotti he will have a bigger role towards the end of the season. … [Read more...]
Gareth Bale stars in this week’s La Liga team of the week
Deportivo La Coruna goalkeeper Fabricio was the Man of the Match in the Galicians’ goalless draw against Cordoba on Friday. The 26-year-old Spanish goalkeeper made save after save, capping it all with a massive penalty save. Safe to say Deportivo would have returned home without any point if they had anyone else between the sticks. Diego Colotto scored a late equaliser right at the death to deny visiting Villareal all three points, and earn Espanyol a valuable point. But it wasn’t just that, the Argentine international proved key on the defensive end as he helped keep the rear secure for the … [Read more...]
Real Madrid Ready to Sell £90m Bale to Man Utd to Fund Hazard Swoop & Pique to Leave Barca
Real Madrid are prepared to sell Gareth Bale to Manchester United for a world record £90m in order to raise funds to sign Chelsea's Eden Hazard. Fichajes reports that the Belgian is a top target for the European champions and has been for several months, but Chelsea's willingness to keep hold of the player will provide a stumbling block. … [Read more...]
Sergio Ramos’ 50th Goal for Real Madrid Underlines Longevity and Rare Ability
Among the statistics to emerge from Real Madrid's latest win—their 13th in a row in all competitions—was a special goal in the career of Sergio Ramos. His cushioned finish from a corner, which moved Madrid into a 2-0 lead against Rayo Vallecano, a match they eventually won 5-1, was his 50th goal for the club. And layered within that statistic was another, more revealing, fact. … [Read more...]
Why Real Madrid should make Javier Hernandez move permanent
Two months ago, Javier Hernandez arrived in Real Madrid on a one-year long loan deal from Manchester United. Little by little the Mexican has proven to be a good long-term option for Carlo Ancelotti. Hernandez has made seven appearances with Los Blancos so far: four in La Liga, two in the Champions League and one in a Copa del Rey fixture. … [Read more...]
Gareth Bale Needs to Impress on Real Madrid Return Against Rayo Vallecano
The world's most expensive footballer picked a costly time to pick up a knock. Injured after returning from international duty with Wales, Gareth Bale missed Real Madrid's wins against Levante, Liverpool, Barcelona, UE Cornella and Granada. He returned to action as a second-half substitute against Liverpool on Tuesday night, but by then the pressure had already been lifted. Carlo Ancelotti's side scored 19 goals during the five wins Bale missed and Marca readers have since claimed this is Los Blancos' best side of all-time—suggesting competition for places is fierce. … [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...]
How Barcelona built Real Madrid
To understand the rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid you must travel back to the Spanish Civil War and the dictatorship of Francesco Franco that followed the war. In July of 1936 Franco led a coup against The Second Spanish Republic that had been in power since 1931. During the following Spanish Civil War, Catalonia became the center of Socialist thought and Barcelona became the capitol of the Spanish Republican (People’s) Army that opposed Franco’s Spanish Nationalist Army. … [Read more...]