With the news that Barcelona have agreed to terms with Valencia for David Villa, I think its time to talk transfers. Being a Barca fan I am gonna talk about the Barcelona summer transfers and spend some time on other rumors.
The big news is that yesterday Barcelona agreed to terms for David Villa, the Valencia striker. Barca spent last summer trying to wrangle Villa away unsuccessfully. It seems that this time Barca has found a way to bring him in. First off, I like David Villa and think he is a great goal scorer and is a good fit at Barcelona. However, he is 28 and turns 29 in December. He is getting older and his production wont continue to be as high as long. He will spend maybe 3 years in a Barca jersey before he loses his spot. I personally would prefer Barca to go after Fernando Torres of Liverpool as he has said he thinks continuing to play in the EPL will "ruin him". Barca could offer 35 million euros for him and I think Liverpool would sell. Torres is only 26 and could spend the next 5 years at Barca with great results. Also, I think Barca are giving up too much for Villa. The rumor is 40 million euros plus Alexander Hleb and Bojan Krkic. While I don't mind the fee, giving up 2 players both rated around 10 million euros is excessive. Especially when you are giving up Krkic. Krkic is only 19 and will turn 20 this summer. He is rumored to have scored 1000 goals while in the Barcelona youth system and he has also scored important goals for the senior team. He just missed a header against Inter and actually scored the goal that should have sent Barca to the final if it had not been incorrectly waved off. I think signing Torres and sending Bojan on loan for a year is the smarter move as you can then bring him back and let him develop a little more. Also, spending 60 million on Villa when Barca were only willing to spend 45-50 million on him last season is wrong.
The other problem this brings about is Zlatan Ibrahimavic. Does this spell the end for the Swede? I would say yes as he has failed to impress in his first season at Barca. Man City are reportedly interested in him and would be willing to spend 50 million for him. Or Barca could try to swap him for Torres. Either way this gives Barca some money to spend. Reportedly this money will be spend on Gael Clichy of Arsenal. He is a talented young (22) left back would would fit in well at Barcelona. It would allow Barca to sell off Maxwell who has also failed to impress, and move Abidal into center back, where he plays for France. With Puyol getting older, and possibly being sold as well, Abidal will fit in well in the middle with Pique. Abidal would spilt time with Milito, who has shown good form after coming back from injury. I wouldn't mind seeing Barca spend money on a center back as well but that doesn't seem likely. Hopefully Chigrinksy will improve next season.
There is also rumor that Barca will spend 20 million euros on Juan Mata, the Valencia winger. he would fit in on the left side for Barca, though with Pedro playing well I don't see the need for this move.
In other news, it looks like Real Madrid have given up on Wayne Rooney and will instead spend their money on David Silva, the Valencia winger (yes it does seem Valencia are selling everyone). There is also rumor that Real is interested in selling Lassana Diarra to Man United and trying to pick up another defensive midfielder for cheap. It is also rumored that if Man City fails to make the Champion's League that Tevez will ask for a transfer out. Man United is also interested in Aston Villa's winger Ashley Young and so is Barcelona. Karim Benzema may also be on the outs at Real Madrid as he wants more playing time.
Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts
Friday, April 30, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Weekend Thoughts
Well this weekend saw el Classico and my second favorite event, The Master's. In el Classico, Barca went to the Bernabeau and won 2-0 to give them the pole position for their second straight la Liga title. There are 7 games left and Barca has a 3 point lead and the tie breaker should they tie on points. Barca now need to match Madrid the rest of the way to retain their title and must also focus on Inter in a week in a half for their Champion's League campaign.
As for The Master's, it was exciting. I will start off saying that no matter what, I am still a Tiger Woods fan, as his golfing ability is utterly amazing. Say what you want about him as a person, he is still an amazing golfer. Also, I don't really like Phil Mickelson, and I have been trying to figure out why. He did go to ASU and me being a U of A grad might have something to do with it, it might also be that he is kind of the "anti-Tiger". Either way I don't really like when he wins but I must say he played great this weekend and deserved the Green Jacket. That shot on 13 through the trees was quite amazing. I was pulling for Tiger the whole time but he just had too many mistakes. Though given a 5 month layoff and him still finishing fourth is pretty damn amazing. And it is also scary to think that as bad as he played this weekend he still shot under par every round and was only 4 shots back. If he hit the driver a littler better and made a couple more putts he wins this tournament. What does that mean going forward? Who knows. I still think he has a great shot at the US Open at Pebble Beach and the British Open at St. Andrews but who knows.
Anyway, great weekend for sports. El Classico was a great game and even if you're a Real Madrid supporter you can take away positives from the game and know that you can still fight for the title. El Classico has also put Messi far above everyone else to retain his world player of the year all he needs to do now is do something in the World Cup and it is his. The Master's was as beautiful as ever. There is not a more beautiful or tranquil setting than Augusta National and there is no better golf tournament than The Master's. The set up to create opportunities, the course itself and all its subtleties, and of course the amazing players.
As for The Master's, it was exciting. I will start off saying that no matter what, I am still a Tiger Woods fan, as his golfing ability is utterly amazing. Say what you want about him as a person, he is still an amazing golfer. Also, I don't really like Phil Mickelson, and I have been trying to figure out why. He did go to ASU and me being a U of A grad might have something to do with it, it might also be that he is kind of the "anti-Tiger". Either way I don't really like when he wins but I must say he played great this weekend and deserved the Green Jacket. That shot on 13 through the trees was quite amazing. I was pulling for Tiger the whole time but he just had too many mistakes. Though given a 5 month layoff and him still finishing fourth is pretty damn amazing. And it is also scary to think that as bad as he played this weekend he still shot under par every round and was only 4 shots back. If he hit the driver a littler better and made a couple more putts he wins this tournament. What does that mean going forward? Who knows. I still think he has a great shot at the US Open at Pebble Beach and the British Open at St. Andrews but who knows.
Anyway, great weekend for sports. El Classico was a great game and even if you're a Real Madrid supporter you can take away positives from the game and know that you can still fight for the title. El Classico has also put Messi far above everyone else to retain his world player of the year all he needs to do now is do something in the World Cup and it is his. The Master's was as beautiful as ever. There is not a more beautiful or tranquil setting than Augusta National and there is no better golf tournament than The Master's. The set up to create opportunities, the course itself and all its subtleties, and of course the amazing players.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
El Classico
El Classico is today. The game between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two biggest sports teams (thats right, not just the two biggest teams in Spain or in soccer but in all of sport) in the world. The Bernabeau plays host tonight as Barcelona take on Real Madrid, with both teams equal on points and tied for first in la Liga.
There is not a bigger regular season game or rivalry in the world and these two teams wont disappoint. Madrid are looking to erase last year's game as Barca came to the Bernabeau and won 6-2. This game is even more important than last years and will be much closer. The game at the Nou Camp in November was won 1-0 by Barca so this game will not only give someone the lead but a clear path to the title. Right now the teams are separated by goal differential, with Madrid leading by 1 goal. After today, however, the teams will be separated by head to head should they be tied on points. A win by Madrid equals things and means it will go back to goal differential while a win or draw by Barca gives them the advantage.
The big talk is Messi vs. Ronaldo but that is not true. Yes these are the two best players in the world but they will not see much of each other. The game will be decided who finishes better as a team in my opinion. Each team will create chances but whoever take advantage of those chances will win. Real will be without Kaka which does hurt them but Barca will be without Ibrahimavic and Abidal which will hurt them. All in all it will be very balanced.
I expect Barca to control most of the possession like they do in every game and try to control the pace. I expect Real to come out fast to try to get an early goal and protect their back line (which is suseptible). Barca will try to let Xavi and Iniesta and Messi create while Madrid will let Ronaldo and Higuain create. Should be a very tight, very exciting game.
Being a Barca fan obviously I think Barcelona will win but I am not about to make a 6-2 prediction. I could see a 2-1, 2-0, 1-0 win but I would also not be unhappy with a draw. Can't wait!!!!!
There is not a bigger regular season game or rivalry in the world and these two teams wont disappoint. Madrid are looking to erase last year's game as Barca came to the Bernabeau and won 6-2. This game is even more important than last years and will be much closer. The game at the Nou Camp in November was won 1-0 by Barca so this game will not only give someone the lead but a clear path to the title. Right now the teams are separated by goal differential, with Madrid leading by 1 goal. After today, however, the teams will be separated by head to head should they be tied on points. A win by Madrid equals things and means it will go back to goal differential while a win or draw by Barca gives them the advantage.
The big talk is Messi vs. Ronaldo but that is not true. Yes these are the two best players in the world but they will not see much of each other. The game will be decided who finishes better as a team in my opinion. Each team will create chances but whoever take advantage of those chances will win. Real will be without Kaka which does hurt them but Barca will be without Ibrahimavic and Abidal which will hurt them. All in all it will be very balanced.
I expect Barca to control most of the possession like they do in every game and try to control the pace. I expect Real to come out fast to try to get an early goal and protect their back line (which is suseptible). Barca will try to let Xavi and Iniesta and Messi create while Madrid will let Ronaldo and Higuain create. Should be a very tight, very exciting game.
Being a Barca fan obviously I think Barcelona will win but I am not about to make a 6-2 prediction. I could see a 2-1, 2-0, 1-0 win but I would also not be unhappy with a draw. Can't wait!!!!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Real crash out as United cruise to the quarters
Wow what a day. Real Madrid unable to move on again, embarrassed on their home field.
The first game for me was Man U vs. AC Milan. It was always going to be a tough job for AC Milan to reverse a 3-2 deficit at Man U and they failed at doing so miserably. They did however nearly have the opening goal with a header from Ronaldinho that went just wide. Unlucky as they were to not score, they did nothing to help themselves a few minutes later as Rooney headed home another goal and essentially put the match out of reach, with Milan now needing 3 goals to win the tie. Rooney slotted home another before Man U walked away with the game 4-0. Milan, knowing it was over, put little effort in the rest of the game. It was nice to see Beckham play against his old team and nearly score, but it was not Milan's night.
In what was the second game for me, Real Madrid looked to reverse a 1-0 deficit to Lyon. The night started out wonderfully for Real and Ronaldo scored a scorcher in the 6th minute and Higuain hit the post and should have scored. Kaka also had a great opportunity but failed to capitalize. Real will look back at these chances and cry, I think, about being unable to finish. Real completely dominated the first half but the second half was a different story as Lyon seemed to get into their stride and work the ball better. Yes they were still counter attacking but they were holding more possession and looking more dangerous. Finally in the 75th minute, Pjanic finished a brilliantly worked move by Lyon to equalize on the night and give a 2-1 aggregate in their favor. Real then pushed hard to respond now needing 2 goals to move on. Raul was brought on for a poor Kaka but he was unable to do anything of positive note (the only thing of note he did was make a fool of himself at the end against Cris). Lyon held and are now moving on to the quarters joining Man U, Arsenal, and Bayern so far. I have to say that Lyon were great at the back and special mention must be made of Cris, who seemed to head away every ball, and Delgado, who blocked many cross attempts, set up the Lyon goal and nearly scored himself.
As much as I would have liked to see my boys, Barcelona, knock Real out of the Champions League (preferably in the final) I am still happy to see them out. This marks the 6th straight season that Real have crashed out in the knock out stages early on. They have not made it past the quarters in those 6 years. After spending over 250 million pounds in the summer and making a priority of the Champions League, this is a big disappointment for los Blancos who will now have to settle on fighting for the la liga title with Barcelona.
That is all for this week, some great games and great goals. I will post again next week after the Champions league activities of Barca-Stuttgart, Sevilla-CSKA Moscow, Bordeaux-Olympiakos, and Chelsea-Inter Milan.
The first game for me was Man U vs. AC Milan. It was always going to be a tough job for AC Milan to reverse a 3-2 deficit at Man U and they failed at doing so miserably. They did however nearly have the opening goal with a header from Ronaldinho that went just wide. Unlucky as they were to not score, they did nothing to help themselves a few minutes later as Rooney headed home another goal and essentially put the match out of reach, with Milan now needing 3 goals to win the tie. Rooney slotted home another before Man U walked away with the game 4-0. Milan, knowing it was over, put little effort in the rest of the game. It was nice to see Beckham play against his old team and nearly score, but it was not Milan's night.
In what was the second game for me, Real Madrid looked to reverse a 1-0 deficit to Lyon. The night started out wonderfully for Real and Ronaldo scored a scorcher in the 6th minute and Higuain hit the post and should have scored. Kaka also had a great opportunity but failed to capitalize. Real will look back at these chances and cry, I think, about being unable to finish. Real completely dominated the first half but the second half was a different story as Lyon seemed to get into their stride and work the ball better. Yes they were still counter attacking but they were holding more possession and looking more dangerous. Finally in the 75th minute, Pjanic finished a brilliantly worked move by Lyon to equalize on the night and give a 2-1 aggregate in their favor. Real then pushed hard to respond now needing 2 goals to move on. Raul was brought on for a poor Kaka but he was unable to do anything of positive note (the only thing of note he did was make a fool of himself at the end against Cris). Lyon held and are now moving on to the quarters joining Man U, Arsenal, and Bayern so far. I have to say that Lyon were great at the back and special mention must be made of Cris, who seemed to head away every ball, and Delgado, who blocked many cross attempts, set up the Lyon goal and nearly scored himself.
As much as I would have liked to see my boys, Barcelona, knock Real out of the Champions League (preferably in the final) I am still happy to see them out. This marks the 6th straight season that Real have crashed out in the knock out stages early on. They have not made it past the quarters in those 6 years. After spending over 250 million pounds in the summer and making a priority of the Champions League, this is a big disappointment for los Blancos who will now have to settle on fighting for the la liga title with Barcelona.
That is all for this week, some great games and great goals. I will post again next week after the Champions league activities of Barca-Stuttgart, Sevilla-CSKA Moscow, Bordeaux-Olympiakos, and Chelsea-Inter Milan.
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