LaLiga News, Transfers, Injuries, Player Ratings, Analysis

The pros and cons of Harry Kane as a Real Madrid transfer target

31May

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The pros and cons of Harry Kane as a Real Madrid transfer target

Real Madrid need to sign a new striker this summer. The profile of striker they sign depends on what Karim Benzema decides to do with his future, but there are increasing signs that the legendary No. 9, who always said he would rather leave than take a spot in the team if he can no longer play at the elite level every week, is tempted by a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia. If Benzema leaves Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur superstar Harry Kane becomes an even more enticing option for the Merengues. Kane has been linked on and off again, but this summer feels like the right time for Kane to move after Spurs inexplicably wasted an incredible 30-goal season and did not even qualify for European football. Let's examine the pros and cons of Harry Kane as a Real Madrid transfer target in the sum...

Why Real Madrid are interested in Joselu

29May

By Amadis HaliNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Why Real Madrid are interested in Joselu

Real Madrid have spent the better part of five years now attempting to fill a gaping hole in their squad. A player who can effectively fit the role of 'backup striker' has eluded them for over half a decade. The last player to deputize Karim Benzema well enough for some fans to call for the Frenchman to be benched was Álvaro Morata in the 2016/17 season. To put things into perspective, enough time has passed since then for Morata to have gone from cult hero to a top enemy of Madridistas due to his allegiance with Atlético Madrid. The struggle to fill the need Following Morata's departure, Real Madrid opted for the young Borja Mayoral to take over as the Benzema backup. The then-20-year-old however struggled to fill Morata's shoes with the same goalscoring prowess, and Real chose to re...

The immortal legacy of Joaquín at Real Betis

25May

By Joseph ZebedeeNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The immortal legacy of Joaquín at Real Betis

The story of Joaquín is a perfect tonic for the ruthlessness of modern football. A Real Betis legend for these two stints separated by nine years, an old-school winger who rallied against the winds of change to keep playing in an era where he was unfashionable, and a beloved figure in Spanish football. This is the story of Joaquín, and the legacy he leaves the club. Early years To give him his full name Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez was born in the Andalusian town of El Puerto de Santa María, a town known for producing fellow footballer José Manuel Pinto, but also comedians. Joaquín would be comfortable in the company of both as adoring fans would find out. Although he was from a town not far from Cádiz, Joaquín was a Bético, As are a lot of people in Andalusia. His youth career at Real B...

The 11 biggest breakout stars of the 2022/23 LaLiga season

4May

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The 11 biggest breakout stars of the 2022/23 LaLiga season

The 2022/23 LaLiga season has been another wild one, particularly the relegation battle. Although Barcelona had the title won weeks before the end of the season - arguably clinching it with a head-to-head win in the second Clásico of the league campaign - the Spanish top flight has remained compelling near the top of the table without a title race due to the unpredictability of the European places. Along the way, many players have had the opportunities to rise to the occasion to be the heroes for the clubs, even beyond title favorites Barcelona. Tons of young footballers elevated their teams to the European football conversation with strong breakout campaigns. Let's take a look at the 11 biggest breakout stars of the 2022/23 LaLiga season. Girona CM Aleix García Nobody had a more p...

The all-time best XI of Athletic Club players

16Apr

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The all-time best XI of Athletic Club players

Athletic Club are one of the most historic clubs in European football, earning a level of respect around the world with their local, Basque-only policy that enables them to retain a degree of connection few other sides can boast. Over the years, Athletic Club have produced some of the most gifted footballers in the world. Many of them, such as Aymeric Laporte and Kepa Arrizabalaga, have gone on to start for elite clubs abroad, but so many more have elected to stay in the city of Bilbao and push for European football in their home region. Let's take a look at the best XI of Athletic players in the club's storied history. There are many great players who will end up being omitted, such as Rafael Moreno Aranzadi - aka "Pichichi", the namesake of the top scoring award in LaLiga - because...

Why you should watch Rayo Vallecano vs Atlético Madrid

6Apr

By Joseph ZebedeeNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Why you should watch Rayo Vallecano vs Atlético Madrid

Think of Madrid and you think of Real Madrid, the city's giant football club plays a leading role in Spanish football, let alone in the nation's capital. But, Madrid is far from a one-club city. This Sunday, Rayo Vallecano and Atlético Madrid will face off in LaLiga. A brief history of Atlético and Rayo I'll start with the more well-known club of the two, the city's second club, Atlético Madrid. Founded by Athletic Club fans in 1903, they quickly became more than a Basque project in the capital, but have never quite been able to topple Real Madrid off its perch as the city's number-one club. During the Second World War they became the team of the air force, calling themselves Atlético Aviación de Madrid, and in the 1950's they had something of a golden era. Under the management of Hel...

Barcelona’s biggest non-referee controversies in LaLiga

23Mar

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Barcelona’s biggest non-referee controversies in LaLiga

The saga of Barcelona's payments to a company owned by former referees committee vice president, José María Enríquez Negreira, continues as more information reveals the extent of the club's association with Negreira. Although the prosecutor’s office is only investigating the payments between 2016 and 2018, Barcelona’s involvement with Negreira goes back as far as 2001 with total payments from the club reaching €7 million. It's also been revealed that the Blaugranas quadrupled the payments to Negreira in 2009 under the presidency of Joan Laporta. It will now need to be seen whether Barcelona face any serious punishment. However, the suspicion that has constantly surrounded Barcelona about receiving beneficial treatment has magnified and brought up many controversial moments that have inv...

Ranking the 20 best players in Real Betis history

6Mar

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Ranking the 20 best players in Real Betis history

Real Betis are one of the most historic clubs in LaLiga with a fanbase that any club on the planet would envy. The culture of the club, the support they give to their players, and the way they remember their legends is truly something that must be respected and given honor to, especially in the more corporate modern game. So from the stars of the past to those in the present like Sergio Canales and Nabil Fekir, let us take a look and rank the best 20 players in the history of Real Betis, including two star strikers as bonus honorable mentions. 22. ST Pepe Mel Another great Real Betis striker, Pepe Mel made a profound impact on the Seville-based club despite only playing for them for a handful of seasons. Pepe Mel scored 50 goals in over 100 appearances, winning the Pichichi in S...

Ranking the 10 best center backs in Real Madrid history

1Mar

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Ranking the 10 best center backs in Real Madrid history

Although Real Madrid is a club famous for its attacking superstars and dominance on the offensive side of the ball, they've also boasted some strong defensive spines over their many decades of excellence as an organization. So let's take some time to recognize the great center backs who have plied their trade for the Merengue club over the years, ranking the top 10 central defenders in the history of Real Madrid. 10. Iván Helguera Capable of shining as a defensive midfielder or center back, Iván Helguera was a talented footballer who could pick out difficult passes and lead the line. An intelligent defender, Helguera is one of the most underappreciated players in Real Madrid history, and you wonder if he would be cherished by more fanbases around the world for his unique skill set ...

How did Valencia get to this crisis point and what happens next?

28Feb

By Joseph ZebedeeNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

How did Valencia get to this crisis point and what happens next?

One of the first things I ever wrote about Spanish football was a short series on Spanish internationals who played just before Spain's period of international success beginning in 2008. The biggest takeaway from that was the amount of Valencia players who made the cut, and just how impressive the club was in the early 2000s. Now in the early 2020s, the club is currently in the LaLiga relegation zone, with little hope that things will get better. So, how did they go from European success to staring down the barrel of the Segunda and financial disaster? A recent history Valencia have faced a fall from grace before, going down in the mid-1980s, having enjoyed a period of success in the late '70s. The club began its modern rise in the 90s. The early part of the decade would be characterize...