Village Idiot

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are in favor of the rules too. Can't see a breakaway happening.

Someone to hoy on with 20 minutes left if they're 1-0 up. In what sense though? They already have big squad depth, I don't see how this signing helps. Sahin I can understand especially if Kaka is going, but this one.. Sahin I can see, since they don't have that much creative centremids and he's a promising player at a relatively low price and they'll end up saving money if they offload Kaká. Altintop looks pretty pointless as, as you say, their squad depth is big and I don't see the need for an average utility player. Fullback is the only place where I can see they lack some depth. They are also rumored to take on Adebayor on a permanent basis (after first passing on the option) if ManCity and the player agree to lower fee/wages.

Aye, injuries had been keeping him off the pitch a lot these past few years, and given his age it was obvious this was going to happen. Even if it's for the bitters, I'm happy that Iván has been able to carve a good career after not living up to the hype that everybody placed in him in his early days. That season when he was feeding Ronaldo, man...

Yesterday marked 10 years since the Liverpool-Alavés UEFA Cup final. Nowadays, Alavés is in the Spanish 3rd fight and on the verge of disappearing.

Quique Sánchez Flores has confirmed he'll walk at the end of the season. Luís Enrique (preferred by the ownership) and Caparrós (preferred by the board) are the favorites to take on the job. Caparrós would another "meh" manager, I hope they gamble on Luís Enrique who at least would show some ambition and try to get Atlético play attractive football.

How strange, I had Grant as a good manager. He even gave Pompey some fight last season.

A new start would be ridiculous for him somewhere, management will be over when he leaves Arsenal and i think he will go into somewhere (PSG) as a DOF type man. Why would it be ridiculous, he could bring his ideas anywhere willing to accept them. I bet Madrid will still be happy to go for him again if Jose leaves in the summer. Real Madrid are the last club on earth that would accept his methods. He'd have been sacked long ago there (and any other big club). He was linked to Real Madrid 234123454356342 times during the first Galáctico era, after they sacked Del Bosque. He's not been in the cards since Pérez started his second stint, though. I agree it would be a terrible match.

We are a lesser team when Puyol isn't on the pitch (and I fear about replacing him as much as Xavi). Seems silly, but these kind of characters are essential in a winning squad. Other than that, I admire Wenger a lot, just seems to have grown way too proud as of late. Seems he wants to win the league with "his" players, the ones he can claim to have discovered and developed, instead of mixing it up as it was with the Invincibles squad. Also to be successful (consistent top 4 finishes I call successful) in England playing that kind of football is something to be commended.

Athletic Bilbao plan to do that plus a light show once they move in their new stadium. I hope they come to their senses.

Gijón and Racing met in what ended as a very suspicious Santander win in the last game of last season, that ultimately meant Racing was saved. Now it's the opposite, and there's talk that Racing will return the favor. The president of the Cantabria autonomy (still a Racing shareholder) has even asked Racing fans to support Gijón.

Pity more or less everything it's already sewn up bar one of the relegation places.

Talk that Racing-Sporting is fixed to give Gijón the point their need to avoid relegation, tempted to put some money on the draw.

Boateng's Michael Jackson impersonation during Milan trophy celebrations. Boss. http://www.marca.com/tv/?v=cbH33rdSqhT

I'm guessing it depends on how much money Ferguson can glean off the owners. They'll probably be looking to bring in a GK and strengthen midfield so chances are he'll get another contract. Isn't he on a pay-as-you-play deal? Will have earnt 13p this year then.

How are Wimbledon looking for promotion? They more or less bagged the playoff semi already, didn't they? Can't wait for them and MK Dons to be in the same division (although it's probably going to end up in tears).

Have seen lots of Spanish leagues go for under 80 totals, fwiw.

ye i agree with that he was great in the world cup and hasnt been given a chance at spurs. still young and only goin to get betta. He's been great for Santander, they'd probably put a bid but seems their new owner is quite dodgy and still owes money to the former shareholders.

"As" linking Osvaldo with a €10m move to Atlético.

Pity Espanyol won't qualify for the EL, would actually go and watch Stoke destroying their souls if they ended up in the same group.

Is that for real? What a mug

Well, that's that "35 years" song over for ManU fans. Congratulations to Citeh, probably one of quite some more.

24 million dollar man

Silva's finishing has always been his big "but", seemed to get better during his last season at Valencia but guess he still has a long way to go.

Cronaldo didn't play a meaningful part of his career in Portugal, though. Hasselbaink and Pauleta are good shouts.

Tailor made for this league (I know it's a cup game but still) like. Still would have loved to keep him and play him in the role Keita plays for us nowadays. €30m was a good price though.