El Mundial de Rusia puso de relieve la paridad latente en el balompié moderno. Una igualdad que, visto lo acontecido en el mercado hasta la fecha, podría reproducirse en el fútbol de clubes esta temporada.
La Juventus ha igualado las fuerzas por arriba. Los fichajes de Cristiano Ronaldo, Emre Can, Cancelo y Perin eclipsan la salida de Buffon después de 17 años. La llegada de CR7 procedente del Real Madrid a cambio de 112 millones de euros obedece a la obsesión de la 'familia Agnelli' de reconquistar la Champions. Las finales perdidas contra Barcelona (2015) y Real Madrid (2017) pesan casi tanto como los siete 'Scudetti' ganados por la Vecchia Signora de forma consecutiva. "Es un paso adelante en mi carrera", se justificó el portugués en su presentación.
El Liverpool también ha dado un paso al frente después de gastarse 273 millones de euros entre invierno (79) y verano (194,7). La inversión realizada en Alisson, Van Dijk, Fabinho, Naby Keita y Shaqiri obliga a los 'reds', finalistas de la pasada Champions, a aspirar a todo, incluida una Premier League que no ganan desde la 1989-90.
Tanto despilfarro ha obligado a Klopp a rectificar. "Me retiro antes de pagar 100 millones por un jugador", dijo cuando el United fichó a Pogba en 2016. "Hace dos años y medio me parecía muchísimo dinero. No pensaba que el mundo del fútbol se transformaría tan rápido. Yo he cambiado de idea, lo admito, pero es mejor variar de opinión que no tener ninguna", señala ahora.
Mourinho, lógicamente, le estaba esperando: "Estoy feliz de ver cómo cambias de opinión, es divertido. Eso sí, esta temporada, con esta inversión, tenéis que pedirles que ganen la Liga, es justo. Vienen de ser finalistas de la Champions".
El técnico del Manchester United, que 'sólo' ha incorporado a Fred, Diogo Dalot y Grant, anda mosqueado por la falta de fichajes: "No somos tan buenos como para ganar el título de la Premier. Invertir bien el dinero es mejor que tenerlo en el banco. Los tipos de interés son muy bajos".
El mercado en la Premier cierra el 9 de agosto, pero los miembros del 'Big 6', a excepción del 'Pool', apenas han acometido refuerzos sonados. El City de Guardiola ha fichado a Mahrez; el Chelsea a Sarri y a Jorginho, el Arsenal de Emery a Sokratis, Leno y Lichtsteiner... El Tottenham, por su parte, ni siquiera ha movido ficha. Su mayor éxito será retener a Pochettino, Eriksen, Kane y Alli.
Este compás de espera se repite en otros grandes de Europa. El PSG, vigilado por el 'fair play' financiero, sólo ha incorporado a Buffon. La gran novedad en el Bayern, por encima de Goretzka y Alphonso Davies, es la llegada al banquillo de Niko Kovac.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
