Village Idiot

I know Sandro hasn't had the best of times at Everton but given the low expectations he should be okay. I'm sure he'd be able to get more goals than your current lot for sure. He's a poor man's Higuaín.

Deulofeu to Watford official now.

He's been completely useless for us this season. I know he's had some good spells at Milan and Everton so there must still be a player in there, but really needs to sort himself. He was linked with Napoli before, a stark contrast with Watford. Although I'm sure Watford has more money.

Looks like Deulofeu may be heading to Watford on loan.

Well, that was a close shave. Alavés are shite and I went to the stadium expecting a bit of a mauling, but this shows you can't sleepwalk through games at this level.

Anybody else feels guilty about worrying first for your Fantasy team every time you see one of those horrific tackles?

Ulloa would be a pretty noticeable upgrade on Joselu imho.

The little I have seen of Diskerud (mostly internationals when he still got games for USMNT) doesn't make me believe he'd fit in Girona at all.

Copa del Rey semifinals draw: Barcelona - Valencia Leganés - Sevilla

Yeah. It was a brief appearance, but he mixed in well.

Off to the semis. Messi was brilliant and we could have easily had a few more, but Pau pulled off some canny saves.

Coutinho in the squad for today's game against Espanyol. Eager to see him play for us, but not sure this is the best game for it. Espanyol like it rough against us and he's fresh off his injury.

Isco is a fan favorite, but I don't think he's the player they should be building their offence around. Too ponderous, tends to overdo their buildup. A Real Madrid fan friend of mine always says - and I agree with him to a degree - "whenever Isco is the best player on the pitch, it's a sign we're having a bad game". I think that works for today, too.

Yep. Madrid have to score 2. EDIT: sorry, they just need one. For some reason I had it in my mind they drew 0-0 in the first leg. It was a 0-1 away win for Real.

Mascherano to China official now, he's saying his goodbyes in a press conference as I write this. Fantastic servant of the club. Wish him all the good.

This calls for a beer surely. Drop me a line when you're in town, if you have the time.

Most of the Atlético fans I know hated the idea of leaving the Calderón but by now they have embraced the new stadium.

Yeah, by all accounts the new Atlético stadium is mint. I really need to get myself to a game next time I travel to Madrid.

Remy has had a massive fallout with Jémez at Las Palmas and is going to move (currently linked with Levante). I know he's 31, but he still knows how to score.

We've loaned out Rafinha to Inter, there's a mandatory €35m buy option if Inter qualifies for the CL. He's a mint player, but made of glass. Very much like his brother on this regard.

Dembelé one month out after another tigh injury - not the same as the one that kept him out 4 months. Meh.

Didn't realise Madrid lost agin this weekend, they're 8 points behind third, and closer to the relegation zone the yourself. Sure Zidane has to go soon? What has actually happened to make this season such a disaster for Madrid, as at the start people were thinking I'd be Barca that struggled. A mix of a bad transfer window that has left them thin upfront and at the back, Zidane's unwillingness to change things up, lack of motivation, Cristiano's massive drop in form.

Sandro's great, you'd love him. But yeah, probably need another profile right now.

Great game yesterday. Was bummed when we went two down "we can't just fucking win at this stadium", but then Suárez was imperious. Good to see him getting his form back. 19 points man. Ludicrous. Honestly if the situation was reversed I'd be tempted to top myself.

This is not the NBA. Yanks being yanks. A transfer rescinds the existing contract with his current employer, the new club doesn't take up the old contract. Otherwise it's a loan. The reason they say the price is inflated for somebody with so little left in the contract, is because in 6 months his transfer value for Arsenal will be zero.