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The A-Z of Spanish summer switches (part 2)
Part two of David Bevan’s A-Z of La Liga transfers this summer, as BPF continues with it’s coverage of the close season.
Author: David Bevan
The A to Z of Spanish summer switches (part 1)
It has been an arguably low-key summer for Spanish clubs in terms of transfer movement, with the most talked-about move being one that looks unlikely to actually take place. Regardless of where Cesc Fabregas ends up playing his football for the forthcoming season, though, there have been plenty of moves worth reading up on. Here is Backpage Football’s guide to the switches so far…
The vindication of Sergio Busquets
“If I was a footballer, I would like to be like Busquets” Vicente del Bosque Of course, Vicente del Bosque was a footballer. And, despite spending the vast majority of his career in football on the opposite side of Spain’s great divide, he was like Busquets. Del Bosque didn’t create goals. He stopped them.
Inter offered hope to World Cup underdogs
32 nations. 64 games. Millions watching worldwide. Many of whom are scratching their heads and wondering why their country is struggling so much at the World Cup. European Champions Inter Milan may hold the key to the answer. England and Italy have both opened with a pair of uninspiring draws against less illustrious opponents, while France can […]
England: thirsty for a water-carrier
As Steven Gerrard looks forward, Frank Lampard is instructed to watch his back and vice versa. But, as David Bevan suggests, history is not on England’s side and Gareth Barry may not be the answer many are praying he is. The absence of Owen The question remains. How do England get the best out of […]
England: hope but not expectation
Let’s get one thing straight. As many have correctly stated, you do not really choose your football team. If it is meant to be, then you will stumble across them at some point and you will know. I liked Arsenal when I was 4 because they wore red shirts and my uncle lived in Finsbury […]
Tweet my goal
Can Fleet Street make the most of the first World Cup of the Twitter age? David Bevan takes a look at the challenge facing newspaper journalists in South Africa. The Twitter revolution gathers pace. Even Clive Tyldesley tweets now, although that particular sign-up may become a regret as millions follow England’s progress, or otherwise, in […]
Explosive Navas stakes a late claim
Spain 1 South Korea 0 Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Puyol, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Pedro, David Silva, Torres, Villa. A pretty good eleven, I’m sure you will agree. This was just the stellar lineup sat on the substitute’s bench as many of Spain’s second string got the opportunity to impress ahead of the World Cup. Sevilla’s Jesus Navas […]
Spain intent to retain focus
“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail”. One of my housemates at university used to repeat this mantra over and over again whenever an exam period appeared on the horizon. There were others – “teamwork is dreamwork” stands out – but it is that short paean to meticulous planning which seems most applicable to the world […]
Why Spain must fear the lollipop
Chupete. Paquirrín. Call him what you like. Because no matter how you label Humberto Suazo, he will be the name on Spanish lips this time next month. The Chilean striker was the top goalscorer in South American qualification for the forthcoming World Cup, scoring ten goals to fire Marcelo Bielsa’s side to South Africa. And […]