Village Idiot

Still, I'm a bit surprised he got called up.

Apparently it's him who wants out.

Modric-Kroos-James has the balance of an elephant on ice skates.

My guess is that they'll go from: Alonso-Modric-Di María to Khedira-Modric-Kroos -although that leaves out James Rodríguez.

Of course, they may think that with Kroos they already have enough creative players, and play Khedira in a more conventional holding role. But Alonso really made them tick.

32. He's getting on, but not finished yet. His legs started to go last season, but used adequately he's still an amazing player. Actually Real Madrid will greatly notice his loss unless Illarra steps up to the plate (or they sign somebody else).

Bayern confirm talks with Real Madrid for Xabi Alonso. Rumoured fee is €10m.

Well, looks like Costa out Agüero in. Will Agüero start already?

FF alarm!

Decent, but hasn't developed too much at Atlético.

No, they sold him to Arsenal last season.

Aduriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiz

Lots of talk of Toby Alderweireld to Sunderland. Apparently on loan, although Atlético might end up selling.

Isaacs make for a shit squad. My parents first wanted to call me Marc, now that would have gotten me a title chasing team

Besides Cuenca, I can't think of any other player with my first name unless I start browsing the Israeli league.

Marca claiming Alonso is off to Bayern - now that's unexpected.

Alexis as lone striker

I know, people that live in glass houses and all that.

damning in what sense? EDIT: because personally i can't see how anyone could deem to judge riviere, perez or ferreyra based on the attacking quality the rest of the team has displayed to this point we'd have literally had to sign messi or ronaldo for them to have made an impact It's bad planning. If you trust what you've signed, you shouldn't be looking for anybody else. In terms of numbers you do have enough strikers in the payroll.

I can afford Agüero if I downgrade Mata. Lamela looks tasty if he finally clicks. I'm moderately afraid of what will happen to Mata with Di María signed.

Speaking of transfer bans, Marca claiming that Atlético have run afoul of La Liga's FFP rules and might be hit with a transfer ban themselves unless they balance the books before the window's closing. They have been chronically mismanaged, so despite their transfer profit I'm willing to believe it.

Yeah, what's up with Ferreyra?

I was trying to make room for Agüero, since I have the feeling he'll have a crazy season. But 12 million...

'f***ed' Aye, how will you cope with only Messi, Neymar and Suarez to choose from up front for 18 months? Our starting XI looks great and for the most part they should be allright for 2015 too - Alves notwithstanding. But we don't have much depth. This weekend we started a kid that one year ago wasn't even playing professional football. The problem is that we can't "stock up" as Dave said - by signing twice the players now - without ruling afoul of FFP rules for this season - don't laugh, that's what our board has said. So we don't really have a large squad right now. That of course, calls into question spunking 80m in a single forward, but hey, it's us. Do you still have Shaqiri and Affelay and fellas like that? We've never had Shaqiri (I wish). Afellay's at Olympiacos and free at the end of the season. Tello, Deulofeu are on loan - those are the only ones I could see coming back.

I'm monitoring Jennifer Lawrence at the moment.