Tag Archives: transfers

Can Atletico sneak under the radar?

on November 12, 2019 None comments

After Real Madrid’s spending spree in the summer and Barcelona’s dominance last campaign, Atletico Madrid have barely had a mention as potential title contenders this time around.

Having lost just once in the first 12 La Liga matches, Diego Simeone has once again built a side which are very hard to break down. However, his team are guilty of one too many draws which could end up costing them dearly, having drawn half of their league matches to date.

Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid

Atletico’s lack of goals is an area in which Simeone’s side is struggling this season, having only scored twelve in twelve games. With the likes of Alvaro Morata, Diego Costa and Joao Felix among their ranks, Atletico will need at least two of them to score 10+ goals if they are to knock Barcelona off their perch. Having said that, their defence has been superb, only conceding seven in the league. Jan Oblak is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, and Atletico will always have a chance with him between the sticks.

Despite the three attackers named above, it is evident to see the loss of Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona in the summer was a huge loss, having contributed 15 league goals for Atletico last campaign. However, Griezmann hasn’t had quite the same impact at Camp Nou this season, with certain fans believing Lionel Messi is purposely avoiding passing to his new teammate.

La Liga betting shows Atletico Madrid are complete outsiders to win the title at 18/1, despite being on the heels of both Barcelona and arch-rivals Real. Barcelona remain heavy favourites at 1/2, while Zinedine Zidane’s side are 2/1 after a fairly promising start, especially after integrating plenty of new signings. Simeone’s side are also priced at 25/1 to win the Champions League, so it’s safe to say the bookmakers aren’t confident in Atletico winning a trophy in 2020.

It is worth noting, however, that Barcelona have lost three games already this season, having only lost the same amount in the entire of the previous season when they ran away with the title, nine points clear of Atletico. Barcelona were desperate to bring back Neymar this summer, but the deal never materialised and, at present, it is looking more and more likely this missed opportunity could cost them their title.

Despite the odds, Atletico hold every chance of challenging both Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, if they are unable to improve their finishing ability, it could prove costly. But with Morata and Diego Costa within their ranks, both are proven goalscorers around the world and if either can burst into life, there is every chance Atletico can continue to go about their business and continue to sneak under the radar.

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Will Barcelona breeze to another title?

on August 12, 2019 None comments

All summer, the focus has very much been on Barcelona’s arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane hasn’t been afraid to throw Real’s money about, as he looks to re-energise a side who failed to land a blow last campaign. The obvious starting point is the addition of Eden Hazard from Chelsea, who will no doubt be their star player next season.

Real Madrid have strengthened in every area, but it was obvious they needed to. After finishing 19 points off Barcelona and eight points off Atletico Madrid, it is fair to say Real Madrid were embarrassed several times last season.

But with all the focus on Real Madrid, are people forgetting Barcelona’s dominance in domestic football? They may have been dumped out of the Champions League with their tail between their leagues for a second year in a row, after being smashed by Liverpool at Anfield, but they have dominated La Liga for years. La Liga betting shows Barcelona are the favourites to retain their title, with Real Madrid second favourites at 13-8. Despite finishing second, Atletico Madrid are third favourites at 12-1 with Bet365.

Atletico Madrid have lost a large chunk of their defence, with Diego Godin heading to Inter Milan, Lucas Hernandez moving to Bayern Munich, Juanfran joining Sao Paolo and Filipe Luis returning to Brazil to see out his final few years before he retires. Joao Felix has been brought in for a record fee of 126 million euros from Benfica, with a lot of expectation to deliver this season. However, he is just the poster boy of what has been a large rebuild for Atleti over the summer.

Last year, Barcelona secured their eighth title in 11 seasons, and with ease. Not only did they win La Liga in style, but they have brought in Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, who has been Atletico’s star man for several years. Griezmann is one of the most talented attackers in world football, so his arrival adds to an already potent forward line. The additions of Frenkie de Jong and Junior Firpo strengthen two key areas of the squad, while Neto ensures they have depth in the goalkeeping position, and they have been able to move on a number of players who were surplus to requirements.

Barcelona’s star player, Lionel Messi, took to the pitch after their 2-1 pre-season friendly against Arsenal to address the Camp Nou crowd. The Argentine told the sell-out crowd that Barcelona’s success in the domestic league was not to be sniffed at, despite failing to win the Champions League the past two seasons.

Barcelona will probably prefer the attention to be away from them after their disappointing defeat to Liverpool. But they have nothing to prove on home soil and are likely to once again show why they are the best team in Spain come May next year. It will take an awful lot to prevent Messi and co. from securing their ninth title in twelve seasons, that is for sure.

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4 Transfer Gambles Taken by Premier League Clubs This Summer

on August 4, 2018 None comments

Another summer of big spending in the Premier League means inevitably means there will be transfer successes and flops.

As teams try to improve their lot or replace players that have left for new pastures, there are always risks attached with bringing in fresh faces. Some new arrivals may start out well and then tail off or take a while to bed in.
Which clubs look to have done risky deals and who are the players they have taken a punt on? We look at four examples as the 2018/19 season kicks off…

Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)

You might think describing a former PFA Player of the Year in Riyad Mahrez as a risky signing for reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, who are hot football betting favourites to retain their title at 4/6 with bet365, is bold. Ask yourself this, though; was it worth paying £60 million for the Algeria international when it’s going to take a lot for him just to break into the Etihad XI?

Money is no object for the mega-rich Middle Eastern owners of City, so Pep Guardiola has extra depth in attacking areas where there is already so much talent at his disposal. Mahrez may regret leaving Leicester City – who are certainly weakened without him – especially if he ends up on the bench at his new club, because the likes of Kevin De Buryne, Leroy Sane, David Silva and Raheem Sterling continue to perform.

Max Meyer( Crystal Palace)

As a highly-rated Schalke academy graduate, Max Meyer let his contract expire at the Gelsenkirchen club and left the Bundesliga this summer joining Crystal Palace on a free. Reports claim Meyer is on massive wages of £170,000 per week for his three-year contract at Selhurst Park which, although good for him and seemingly a coup for Roy Hodgson, is worth closer inspection.

Why haven’t the top clubs around Europe signed this midfield player who has been so promising since breaking through as a teenager ar Schalke? Meyer has scored just one Bundesliga goal in the last two seasons and made three assists, so should we believe the hype? It’s actually a monster gamble from the Eagles and veteran manager Hodgson.

Richarlison (Everton)

There’s no doubt new Everton boss Marco Silva brought the best out of top Brazilian prospect Richarlison in his debut Premier League campaign last season before Watford sacked him. The Toffees’ interest in the Portuguese coach seem to destabilise everything at Vicarage Road, however, when Ronald Koeman was axed on Merseyside last autumn.

Richarlison played every league game for the Hornets, but scored all five of his league goals (and made all but one of as many assists) in the first 13 matches of the season. That means he simply wasn’t doing it on the pitch for two-thirds of the campaign and Everton, who signed him in a deal potentially worth £50,000,000 and are chasing a top-six finish at 7/2, cannot afford to carry passengers on the wing.

Jack Wilshere (West Ham)

Anyone who has paid attention to the Premier League in recent years knows why this is risky. Jack Wilshere’s career has been hampered by injuries; so, even though he left Arsenal for London rivals West Ham on a free transfer, he’ll always have fitness question marks hanging over him.

What new Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini has to do is get the England midfielder to put a run of games together. If he can keep Wilshere off the treatment table and in his XI, then this could be a great signing, but doing that is far easier said than done, so this is a definite gamble.

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Chelsea wants Sneijder from Inter

on August 28, 2011 None comments

Usually transfers mean good news for a team, but I’m not sure that that’s a universal rule. Inter Milan is about to give up the second big name from the team this summer and the main reason for that is because  of Chelsea’s huge offer, seen like an important financial opportunity.

Roman Abramovich is ready to give up Luka Modric, Tottenham not wanting to sell the Croatian midfielder. In its place, the owner of Chelsea wants Wesley Sneijder, a perfect and maybe even a better replacement.

The Dutchman was wanted in the summer by both Manchester United and Arsenal but without success. This time, Sneijder’s chances of reaching to London are pretty high because Chelsea want a player from Inter team, and that could seal the deal.

The officials from Inter asked from Chelsea in return of Sneijder 30 million euros and a player, Florent Malouda. The situation is positive considering that when Abramovich puts his eyes on something, he usually gets what he wants.

With a player like Sneijder playing for them, the Blues could be the next champions in Premier League. But till the end, there is a long long way and they have to face United and City, two teams in a very good shape.

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Eto’o could break records

on July 29, 2011 None comments

During the summer, all the mass media was talking about Barca, Real Madrid, Manchester transfers. But at the end of the transfer period, another team that is maybe unknown for many, could do the hit of the summer.

Anji Makhachkala, a Russian team offers 50 million euros for the purchase of the Cameroonian striker of Internazionale Milano, Samuel Eto’o, a rumor present in all the profile newspapers from Italy.

According to them, Anji Makhachkala would offer a contract for Eto’o for a period of three seasons with an astronomical salary of 20 million, which would make the transfer of Eto’o in Russia to cost 110 million euros in three years, without any prizes or bonuses. This could be a very good chance for Inter to round their bank account ant for the Russian team to strike in marketing.

If the transfer will happen, in Russia, Eto’o might meet with Brazilian Roberto Carlos, who plays at Anji from February. This move could be an interesting one, but in which, Eto’o has to consider if it will be a positive one for his career of professional football player.

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