A Look at El Clasico

We're nearly a month into the Summer transfer window and arch rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona have already spent a hatful in order to bolster their squads to try and reclaim the title from Atletico. 

Barcelona add Luis Suarez to their already magnificent attack after agreeing a deal with Liverpool for £75m. It was probably the worst kept secret this summer and it didn't catch anyone by surprise when it was announced. Suarez is a world class player and has been a revelation in Liverpool's rise to prominence again, contributing 69 goals in 110 games. He certainly will be able to get Barcelona goals. The only problem I have with this transfer is that I am not sure where abouts he play on the pitch. Last season in the Premier League, he was often playing in a central position normally behind Daniel Sturridge with a tendency to drift wide and cut in with a free role. At Liverpool he was the main man, will he be able to cope with playing second fiddle to Messi or even Neymar? While he is banned from footballing activity for 4 months, rumour has it that he will be back in time to take on Real Madrid.

Earlier this week, Real Madrid revealed another one of their fabled Galacticos in Colombia's James Rodriguez. After a stunning World Cup, which saw him net 6 goals and win the Golden Boot, Carlo Ancelotti was quick to snap up the Colombian from AS Monaco for an estimated £63m. The 23 year old, seems to be a hit with the Madristas as 45,000 turned out for the unveiling and it has been reported that 345,000 James shirts were sold in the first 48 hours, already re-paying 20% of the transfer fee (that's if all my statistics are correct). Last season with Monaco, he netted 10 times and assisted 12 goals in 38 games, a tally that secured the recently French club to second position in Ligue 1. The signing completes a fearsome attack that surely must rank as the best in the world.

Having purchased Suarez this year and Neymar last season, Luis Enrique decided to strengthen in defensive positions in an attempt to reduce the goals conceded. The acquisition of Jeremy Mathieu was rather surprising, particularly for £15.8m and at 30 years old, he won't have very many playing years left. Even though Barcelona have been dominant over the last number of years, it has much been down to retaining possession and not letting the opposition attack. Mathieu may be a short term fix until they are able to acquire an heir to Carles Puyol. Another signing is that of Croatia's Ivan Rakitic. The former Sevilla man had a decent World Cup with Croatia, but was unable to guide the European side into the knockout stages. It is a possibility that he will be lined up to replace Xavi, in terms of dictating the play and fills the void left by Fabregas' departure. I don't see him becoming a regular starter in his first season as he will find it hard to displace Sergio Busquets at the heart of midfield and could be a rotational option for Xavi.

Toni Kroos has been phenomenal over the last two seasons and has been at the centre of success for Bayern and Germany. He joined the Champions League winners from the Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich for a fee believed to be £24m and snub a move to Manchester United. For £24m Madrid have bagged themselves a bargain as Kroos should command a fee that's at least double this amount. I expect Kroos to play along side Alonso and dictate the game and be an excellent addition to this young squad. The signing of James Rodriguez has almost overshadowed Kroos' transfer, and I think this one will be just as significant as the Colombian.

Germany have a number of exceptional young goal keepers in their possession, and since Victor Valdes didn't have his contract renewed, it was necessary to sign Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The 22 year old has recently admitted that he "enjoys the Barcelona way" in a recent interview after the friendly win against Recreativo Huelva. The former Monchengladbach man has a sparkling career ahead of him and will be one of Europe's top goal keepers in years to come. Having also turned down the option of renewing Jose Pinto's contract, Luis Enrique was in search of a back up keeper to ter Stegen, and who better than Claudio Bravo. The Chilean had a good World Cup which notably saw Chile beat Spain but narrowly go out on penalties to Brazil. At 31, this is his big money move and will hope to enjoy his time in Catalonia before hanging up the boots.

It has been a very busy transfer window for both Barcelona and Real Madrid with big sums of money being forked out on both sides. With world class talents on offer, it makes the El Clasico encounters so much more tasty. I cannot wait to see this La Liga season unfold. 

World Cup Team of the Tournament

Although slightly late, I thought that i would share my World Cup XI to you. The formation will be a standard 4-2-3-1 with central defensive midfield players. Feel free to share your opinions on what your XI's would be.

Manuel Neuer

While Keylor Navas and Guillermo Ochoa had outstanding tournaments, Golden Glove winner Manuel Neuer takes the spot. He notched up 4 clean sheets in 7 games to certainly ensure him being named the best goal keeper in the world. Against Algeria in the last 16, he was not afraid to adventure out of his box in order to snuff out attacks. Comfortable on the ball and in tackling, Neuer has the capabilities to play in midfield rather than at the back.

Philip Lahm

This spot must go to the World Cup winning captain, Philip Lahm. He was influencial in the Germans victory at the Maracanã and fully deserved to lift the trophy at the end of the night. Unlike most full backs in the modern game, Lahm is keen to help in both defensive and offensive areas of the pitch. As well as right back, Lahm was equally capable in a holding midfield role that he regularly plays under Guardiola at Bayern.

Mats Hummels

It would make sense for most of the defensive line to be made up of Germans. Mats Hummels is everything that Germany needed at the back, composed under pressure, and difficult to get past. As well as defensively sound, he is a nuisance from attacking set pieces as proved in the games against Portugal and France.

Ron Vlaar

Partnering Hummels at the back is Dutch and Aston Villa defender, Ron Vlaar. He acquired the nickname of "Concrete Ron" or "Roncrete" from his team mates and it is easy to see why. While David Luiz was giving a superb display in how not to defend, Roncrete was busy throwing his body on the line and halting attacks. Similar to Hummels, he doesn't dither on the ball, but rather passes to someone more creative than him.

Daley Blind

Following in his father's footsteps, Daley Blind has won over many Dutch hearts with his performances in Brazil and even topped it off with his first international goal in the third place play-off. When needed, he is solid in defence, but can also deliver a devilish ball into the box as proven with the spectacular goal against Spain. We have not heard the last of Ajax's 24 year old talent.

           

Toni Kroos

Philip Lahm could have easily squeezed himself onto this spot on my team sheet, but it goes to his former Bayern and German team mate, Toni Kroos. Recently moved to Real Madrid, Kroos was impeccable in the humiliating of Brazil and managed to bag himself a couple of goals. The German playmaker reminds me of a certain Paul Scholes who could land a pass on a coin and also had a ferocious shot.

Javier Mascherano

Partnering Toni Kroos is Argentina's Javier Mascherano. Equally capable at centre half and in front of the back four, the Argentine is a valuable asset to have in terms of winning the ball. We all witnessed his exploits in the semi final against the Netherlands where he foiled Arjen Robben who seemed to be in a certain goal scoring situation. Mascherano is a certainty to be in for team of the tournament.

Arjen Robben

On the left and arguably out of position is Arjen Robben. The speed merchant single handedly trampled a quality Spanish side into the ground. While he has had a solid tournament, controversy has just been around the corner with Robben, particularly after the diving accusations succeeding the Mexico game. Forgetting this, Robben has excelled in this tournament and deserves to be in my team of the season.

James Rodriguez

Having made a big money move from Porto to Monaco last season, James Rodriguez was relatively unknown to most people before the tournament. Now, he is the name on everyone's lips and rumours have linked him to the top European clubs, including Real Madrid and Manchester United. Impressive individual perfornances saw him net 6 goals and become the 2014 Golden Boot winner. His World Cup was topped off with an exquisite goal against Uruguay in the last 16.

Thomas Muller

Bombing down the right is Thomas Muller. Already on 10 World Cup goals, he is 6 away from equalling the new record which was set by Miroslav Klose against Brazil, and only at the age of 24. He opened his account with a hat trick against the Portuguese in an all round superb performance in the first match. When playing as a striker, he drops back, allowing dynamic midfielders such as Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger to make surging runs into the penalty area. He had another excellent tournament and is odds on to break the goal scoring record before he retires.

Lionel Messi

I had many contenders to put in the forward position, but Lionel Messi takes it. Many critics will use his failure of not being able to win the Jules-Rimet trophy against him, however his individual achievements at the tournament this year has done enough to validate the argument that he shoukd be considered one of the greatest ever players. He scored 5 goals and arguably carried the Latin American side to the final by himself, that's enough to get into any team of the tournament.

2014 World Cup Final Preview

A month ago today, I was gearing up for my last exam, but more importantly, the world was ready for the World Cup to kick off. One month on, and arguably the greatest sporting spectacle on earth awaits its climax in Rio de Janeiro at the home of football, The Maracanã. 

From the start of the tournament, Argentina were tipped to do well, but possibly haven't reached the performance levels that were expected of them. With the wealth of talent at their disposal it astonishes me as to how they haven't been more convincing and brushing teams aside with more conviction. On the other hand, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria have shone throughout the tournament, and have helped Argentina on their way to a first final since 1990. 

As for the Germans, not many people, including myself, gave them much attention in the build up to the start of the World Cup, probably because there was too much emphasis put on the host nation, Brazil, and the holders, Spain. With Manuel Neuer as goal keeper, Germany are in safe hands. I find it hard to find another goal keeper in this world that comes close to the Bayern number one, he is definitely the best goal keeper in the world at the minute.

It will be interesting to see if Jogi Löw deploys his captain in front of the back four or else at right back, like he did in the Semi Final match against Brazil. If he does line up in a central defensive midfield role, will he be given the orders of neutralising Argentina's talisman, Lionel Messi? Taking Messi out of the game will give the Germans the edge, as everything the South Americans have created has come through the little master. It would certainly be a key and intriguing battle.

Another positive head ache that Löw has, is whether he should start a more conventional number nine, Miroslav Klose, or else the modern false nine in Thomas Muller up front. Both played in the semi final, with Muller playing in a wide position. This conundrum offers Löw a 'B' plan, particularly if things don't go to plan against Argentina. As it has been highlighted regularly during the last week, Klose became the World Cup all time record goal scorer in the bludgeoning of Brazil at the Estadio Mineirão last Tuesday night. Muller is also on the edge of a record as he is just one goal short of Colombia's James Rodriguez who is leading the challenge for the Golden Boot with 6 goals.

Argentina have a team which consists of very talented individuals, that are likely to thrive from playing with a counter attacking style. Toni Kroos is likely to control the ball, giving Germany the majority of possession. As we know from previous matches for club and country, Angel Di Maria is lethal on the counter. His understudy is Ezequiel Lavezzi and not a bad one to have at that. While he is a quality player, we are yet to witness the performances of his days at Napoli for either PSG or Argentina. Could tomorrow be the day that he shines?

Similar to Barcelona, Lionel Messi is the heart and soul of Argentina. When he plays well, then his whole team is given a boost. With many people claiming that Messi is not amongst the world's best because he hasn't won the World Cup, tomorrow we could witness a change in the attitudes of some of his critics. Having contributed 4 goals and 1 assist to his country's World Cup adventure, a victory tomorrow would guarantee the plaudits going to Messi.

While Argentina don't possess a creative midfielder such as Toni Kroos, they do have Javier Mascherano. Guardiola converted him from midfield to defence once he first joined the Catalan club to cope with the shortage in quality of defenders and has made his name there. For Argentina he has been solid, making crucial tackles to prevent attacks. While he isn't the most creative, he puts in a shift, the least you can ask for in a defender. As with most fullbacks in this day and age, it appears that they're simply 'failed wingers'. Some may argue that this is the case with young left back, Marcos Rojo, who seems keen to abort his defensive duties in favour of helping the wingers in attacking. As said before, this weakness can exploited and if Ozil, Schurrle or Muller isolate him then Germany will be able to create chances.

Argentina and Germany have met in the final twice before with both winning one game. With history aside, this already looks a tasty affair. On this occasion, I'm going for a European victory with Thomas Muller and Lionel Messi to get on the score sheet. Of course, we all would love the match to go to penalties, but an exciting match would be a decent alternative! The countdown to kick off is on!