Next Season's La Liga looks to be heating up and it doesn't kick off for another month and a half. Unlike most summers, the transfer focus has been on two Spanish arch rivals, Real Madrid and Barcelona apposed to Premier League sides.
The Champion Barcelona have been slow to react this summer when it comes to the transfer window. However, why should the be so eager to change up a side that won the trebble last year? The team has made a couple contract extensions for players including goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Samuel Eto'o has been seriously linked with Manchester City this summer until lately when the Manchester United rival has said to have pulled the plug on deal. Back in Spain, the Catalan club offered the Cameroon International a two year extension on his contract but without increasing his salary. That is a bit odd considering he has scored 126 goals for the club in 5 years, approximately 25 goals a season average. Reports say that he is ignoring phone calls from the club who have now targeted Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan and placed £ 40million bid for sought after Valencia striker, David Villa despite what Eto'o's decision is. The club has its own onslaught of attacking footballers already with some of the best goal scorers in the world, Eto'o, Henry, fan favorite Messi, along with substitutes Gudjohnsen, young gun Bojan Krkic, and Hleb. Barcelona was hopeful in recruiting a defender to bolster their backline. Oddly enough, Barcelona transfer target, Chygrynsky, a Ukrainian defender, has declined signing for the club in order to remain with UEFA Cup Winners Shakhtar Donetsk. The "magic" triangle in midfield including Yaya, Iniesta, and the man the never sprints, Xavi seems to be set for another season. If Barcelona play the brand of football we know from last season, they will be tough to beat. They look to build on their trebble at home against Sporting Gijon August 31st.
Real Madrid have went on a spending spree like never before bringing former World Players of the Year, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu this summer. Also signing for Los Blancos is French 21 year-old prodigy striker Karim Benzema, Ligue 1's top scorer last year, and Valencia centerback Raul Albiol. Of course quality players in means other players out. All ready out of favor striker, Javier Saviola, made an early exit to Benfica, leaving el numero 9 for Cristiano Ronaldo. Last winter's promising signing, Klass Jan Huntelaar, already has half a foot out the door with a bid from AC Milan. New boss Pellegrini arriving from Villareal is intent on bringing Xabi Alonso back to the homeland despite Rafa's hands off approach to the situation. If the Liverpool star lands in the capital, there will no doubt be more exits with three holding midfielders already at the club, Lass, Diarra, and Gago who has already given up his number for Kaka and snatched up el numero 5 due to the Cannavaro exit back to Juve this summer. The back up plan for missing out on Alonso looks to be Udinese's D'Agostino. Kaka, being an attacking style midfielder may leave some hopefull Dutch hearts in the midfield depending on the formation the squad goes with next season. Sneijder and Van der Vaart will be fighting eachother for a place along with Madrid vetran Guti. It would not be surprising if Los Blancos brought in another striker before the transfer window slams shut despite already having Higuain, Huntelaar, Raul, Ronaldo if he doesn't find himself on the wing as the same goes for Robben, Benzema, coming back from injury Van Nistelrooy, and Negredo who has returned from a two year loan at Almeria netting 34 goals in 2 seasons. The Club's general director, Jorge Valdano, stated today, July 13th, the team must sell 5 players in order to buy a new addition to the squad. "We need to trim at least five players from the squad. The priority over the next few weeks is the sale of players and not the signing of new ones." Las Madridistas kick off the new campaign against Deportivo La Coruna at the Santiago Bernabeu August 30th.
Everything must go! Valencia is in financial term oil and looked to be one big clearance sale with transfer links including the majority of their squad such as David Silva, Zigic, Marchena, Albelda, Albiol who landed in Madrid, Manuel Fernandes, and the ever popular David Villa. Villa has been a marked man all summer linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Premier League giants Manchester Utd and Chelsea. Villa had apparently made up his mind to leave the club and the club had made up their mind to harvest the funds in return. A move to Madrid looked to be in order until the club's stance on their player took a U-turn. Los Che President is quoted saying "We have taken the decision to not sell David Villa. We've taken this decision after some days of thought in which we studied the advantages and disadvantages..." Barcelona have made their bid for the player but it seems unlikely that Valencia shall change their minds. They start at home with Sevilla, August 30th.
The Yellow Submarine look for a more promising season depite reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last term. Villareal's New Jersey born, Italian International Rossi, showed his best stuff this summer in the Confederations Cup, especially against the country he was born in, the United States thumping two past Everton keeper, Tim Howard. Another American, Jozey Altidore looks to be returning to the club after a loan spell at newly premoted Xerez and runner's up medal in the Confederations Cup where he outmuscled Villareal teammate Joan Capdevila in the semi-final to score the first of two US goals. Last year's boss Pellegrini has left for the Capital with Real Madrid and Villareal have apointed Ernesto Valverde, who managed Greek power Olympiakos to a double last season. They begin the season away at Osasuna on August 30th.
Frederic Kanoute may have to have to play next season without strike partner Luis Fabiano at Sevilla. With the money AC Milan recieved for at the time was a world short-lived World Record transfer fee for Kaka, they have made a bid for the Brazilian, Fabiano, who looked to be the best striker at the Confederations Cup this summer. Sevilla will get to work early trying to qualify for the Champions League. They start their league play away against Valencia on August 30th.
Atletico Madrid have made the signing of highly looked upon goalkeeper, Asenjo, from Valladolid. Other than that they have been anxious to hold onto the tallent the team possesses. With starlet Aguero being linked with Manchester United and a confirmed interest in Forlan from Barcelona, they may want to build a back up plan for an attack next season. Defender Mariano Pernia was involved in a car accident last week in Argentina where he sustained multiple injuries including broken bones in his shoulder and back. Also Pernia suffered from a puntured lung. The Real Madrid cross town rivals begin the season away on August 30th against Malaga.
There is plenty of activity bustling about in Spain this summer. These six teams look to be the front runners in the pack of 20 that is called La Liga. Perhaps there is a sleeper that will surprise but only time will tell.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
The Champion Barcelona have been slow to react this summer when it comes to the transfer window. However, why should the be so eager to change up a side that won the trebble last year? The team has made a couple contract extensions for players including goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Samuel Eto'o has been seriously linked with Manchester City this summer until lately when the Manchester United rival has said to have pulled the plug on deal. Back in Spain, the Catalan club offered the Cameroon International a two year extension on his contract but without increasing his salary. That is a bit odd considering he has scored 126 goals for the club in 5 years, approximately 25 goals a season average. Reports say that he is ignoring phone calls from the club who have now targeted Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan and placed £ 40million bid for sought after Valencia striker, David Villa despite what Eto'o's decision is. The club has its own onslaught of attacking footballers already with some of the best goal scorers in the world, Eto'o, Henry, fan favorite Messi, along with substitutes Gudjohnsen, young gun Bojan Krkic, and Hleb. Barcelona was hopeful in recruiting a defender to bolster their backline. Oddly enough, Barcelona transfer target, Chygrynsky, a Ukrainian defender, has declined signing for the club in order to remain with UEFA Cup Winners Shakhtar Donetsk. The "magic" triangle in midfield including Yaya, Iniesta, and the man the never sprints, Xavi seems to be set for another season. If Barcelona play the brand of football we know from last season, they will be tough to beat. They look to build on their trebble at home against Sporting Gijon August 31st.
Real Madrid have went on a spending spree like never before bringing former World Players of the Year, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu this summer. Also signing for Los Blancos is French 21 year-old prodigy striker Karim Benzema, Ligue 1's top scorer last year, and Valencia centerback Raul Albiol. Of course quality players in means other players out. All ready out of favor striker, Javier Saviola, made an early exit to Benfica, leaving el numero 9 for Cristiano Ronaldo. Last winter's promising signing, Klass Jan Huntelaar, already has half a foot out the door with a bid from AC Milan. New boss Pellegrini arriving from Villareal is intent on bringing Xabi Alonso back to the homeland despite Rafa's hands off approach to the situation. If the Liverpool star lands in the capital, there will no doubt be more exits with three holding midfielders already at the club, Lass, Diarra, and Gago who has already given up his number for Kaka and snatched up el numero 5 due to the Cannavaro exit back to Juve this summer. The back up plan for missing out on Alonso looks to be Udinese's D'Agostino. Kaka, being an attacking style midfielder may leave some hopefull Dutch hearts in the midfield depending on the formation the squad goes with next season. Sneijder and Van der Vaart will be fighting eachother for a place along with Madrid vetran Guti. It would not be surprising if Los Blancos brought in another striker before the transfer window slams shut despite already having Higuain, Huntelaar, Raul, Ronaldo if he doesn't find himself on the wing as the same goes for Robben, Benzema, coming back from injury Van Nistelrooy, and Negredo who has returned from a two year loan at Almeria netting 34 goals in 2 seasons. The Club's general director, Jorge Valdano, stated today, July 13th, the team must sell 5 players in order to buy a new addition to the squad. "We need to trim at least five players from the squad. The priority over the next few weeks is the sale of players and not the signing of new ones." Las Madridistas kick off the new campaign against Deportivo La Coruna at the Santiago Bernabeu August 30th.
Everything must go! Valencia is in financial term oil and looked to be one big clearance sale with transfer links including the majority of their squad such as David Silva, Zigic, Marchena, Albelda, Albiol who landed in Madrid, Manuel Fernandes, and the ever popular David Villa. Villa has been a marked man all summer linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Premier League giants Manchester Utd and Chelsea. Villa had apparently made up his mind to leave the club and the club had made up their mind to harvest the funds in return. A move to Madrid looked to be in order until the club's stance on their player took a U-turn. Los Che President is quoted saying "We have taken the decision to not sell David Villa. We've taken this decision after some days of thought in which we studied the advantages and disadvantages..." Barcelona have made their bid for the player but it seems unlikely that Valencia shall change their minds. They start at home with Sevilla, August 30th.
The Yellow Submarine look for a more promising season depite reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last term. Villareal's New Jersey born, Italian International Rossi, showed his best stuff this summer in the Confederations Cup, especially against the country he was born in, the United States thumping two past Everton keeper, Tim Howard. Another American, Jozey Altidore looks to be returning to the club after a loan spell at newly premoted Xerez and runner's up medal in the Confederations Cup where he outmuscled Villareal teammate Joan Capdevila in the semi-final to score the first of two US goals. Last year's boss Pellegrini has left for the Capital with Real Madrid and Villareal have apointed Ernesto Valverde, who managed Greek power Olympiakos to a double last season. They begin the season away at Osasuna on August 30th.
Frederic Kanoute may have to have to play next season without strike partner Luis Fabiano at Sevilla. With the money AC Milan recieved for at the time was a world short-lived World Record transfer fee for Kaka, they have made a bid for the Brazilian, Fabiano, who looked to be the best striker at the Confederations Cup this summer. Sevilla will get to work early trying to qualify for the Champions League. They start their league play away against Valencia on August 30th.
Atletico Madrid have made the signing of highly looked upon goalkeeper, Asenjo, from Valladolid. Other than that they have been anxious to hold onto the tallent the team possesses. With starlet Aguero being linked with Manchester United and a confirmed interest in Forlan from Barcelona, they may want to build a back up plan for an attack next season. Defender Mariano Pernia was involved in a car accident last week in Argentina where he sustained multiple injuries including broken bones in his shoulder and back. Also Pernia suffered from a puntured lung. The Real Madrid cross town rivals begin the season away on August 30th against Malaga.
There is plenty of activity bustling about in Spain this summer. These six teams look to be the front runners in the pack of 20 that is called La Liga. Perhaps there is a sleeper that will surprise but only time will tell.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
Crucial breakdown......is it in the order of ur prediction or in no particular order?
ReplyDeleteit is in no partcular order. Just came to me
ReplyDelete