REAL MADRID PLAYERS | MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL WHO´S THE FAIREST OFF THEM ALL.

Ex-Real Madrid Coach, now at Chelsea FC, Jose Mourinho commented to Esquire magazine that:

"Lots of times at Real Madrid, the players would be queuing in front of the mirror before the game while the referee waited for them in the tunnel".

This was initially interpreted as a "dig in" towards some of his ex-players were the relationship between both ended tense in his last months at the Club. 

However, far from a kick in the teeth from Mourinho, it is the truth. Many times we witnessed how the opposition team went onto the field,  at the beginning or after halftime, first & waited for Real Madrid to come on. Many thought it was a Jose Mourinho "mind games" tactic but in fact it was a delay because some players were "freshening up" their appearance.

In Spanish Football ( & I suppose UEFA ) there are strict rules about coming onto the field at the correct times ( I suppose due to TV contracts ) & getting on "late" leads to hefty fines for the Club. Real Madrid General Director Angel Sanchez has been said to have gone down to the dressing room to ask Mourinho to get the players onto the field earlier because the Club was receiving very heavy economical sanctions. Jose Mourinho replied I am waiting for the players to finish fixing themselves in front of the mirror.

The anecdote goes further. There is a "story" about a visiting International player after a Champions League match saying to his inner circle that he had never seen so much hair gel in one place at one Football Club.

This should all been seen & taken as normal & perhaps funny. Bear in mind that many Football players are young adults, many still single & many with huge multi-million image contracts. Perhaps the pioneer of all this was Englishman David Beckham who has supplemented his Football wage with millions & millions of dollars in image marketing. The retired Footballer still now continues to rack in the dollars with his "physical" attributes. 

So if your in a dressing room & a Real Madrid footballer happens to walk by, hide your hair gel, just in case. Finally, I sure that Real Madrid is not the only Club in World Football where their players have a "mirror check" before jumping onto the field.

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XABI ALONSO SPECULATED TO LEAVE REAL MADRID

Real Madrid is currently on alert & anxious to know the final decision of their midfielder Xabi Alonso. The player ends contract on June 30th of 2014 & Alonso has still to announce if he will renew or not his contract with the Club. The player will become a "free agent" as of the 1st of January 2014 allowing him to negotiate with any Club he wishes & can leave Real Madrid for free. 

These circumstances makes Alonso very attractive for any Club & allows the player to negotiate the last big contract of his career as the 32 year old Spanish International is entering the final straight of his Football playing days.

For Real Madrid Xabi Alonso is very special & very unique in World Football. There currently is no other player in the World that is like the midfielder that gives experience, vision, stability & equilibrium that includes a full repertoire of short & long Football play. Currently Alonso is perhaps strategically & tactically the most important player at Real Madrid the true bridge that fits together the defence with the attack. 

As written here Xabi Alonso announced months ago ( last season ) that he was thinking of leaving. However, it has not been until the last few weeks that Real Madrid has intensified its efforts to convince Alonso to renew, an effort that may be too late as rumours point that Xabi Alonso has decided NOT to renew & will leave at the end of the season.

The reasons are said to be purely personal as the family of Alonso desires to move out of Madrid & find "new adventures". Although this is the repeated reason there is also a personal desire to finish off the career in a new environment & with a last "super contract". The last two cannot be found at Real Madrid.

Football observers & speculators place Xabi Alonso close to Jose Mourinho & Chelsea FC. The line waiting to talk to Alosno is long as he is a very demanded midfielder desired by all the big important World Football Clubs, but Chelsea is in the front running due to the close relationship forged with Mourinho while the latter was Real Madrid Coach.

The player himself has not officially as yet made an announcement & things can change at any moment with an announcement that would make Real Madrid Club & their followers happy. However, that announcement is taking too long which signals a difficult decision for the player & a more than possible "goodbye" to be communicated in any moment.

Stay tuned!

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CHELSEA FC TEMPTING REAL MADRID MIDFIELDER SAMI KHEDIRA ?

There is a buzz locally that ex-Real Madrid, & now Chelsea FC Coach José Mourinho has not forgotten German International midfielder Sami Khedira. Apparently Mourinho has made a few calls to the mobile number of the Real Madrid player to see how things are & if he would like to join him at London.

Real Madrid has "overbooking" in the midfield, especially with the new incorporations like Isco, Illarramendi & Casemiro. Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti seems to be having some difficulties in finding Khedira a solid spot & role in the current team set up.

With the World Cup next year, Khedira will need regular playing time to secure his German Team position & his current "uncertain" situation may make the midfielder think that perhaps it maybe better to find that playing time elsewhere.

Real Madrid denies they have any offer from Chelsea FC for Sami Khedira, but the transfer season window shuts the 31st of August & the shadow of Mourinho is long. Stay tuned!
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REAL MADRID XABI ALONSO DILEMMA | SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO

From England the news is that Liverpool FC is thinking about signing & bringing "back home" Real Madrid CF & Spanish International Xabi Alonso. The idea would break Liverpool policy of not signing players above 30 years of age, but Manager Brenden Rodgers considers the Football value still left in the player far outweighs the "fears".

Xabi Alonso is possibly at another crossroads of his career after communicating to his Club that he will not renew his contract. The player has one more year left at Real Madrid & his current intention is to finish with his obligations, but with the arrival of young Real Sociedad & Spanish International midfielder Asier Illarramendi he may want to move on this season.

However, if Xabi Alonso does decide to change Chelsea FC under Coach Jose Mourinho would be in the front running. Apart from the better offer from London, Xabi Alonso considers Mourinho one of the "Best Coaches" his been under & has an excellent professional relationship. Chelsea FC would welcome Alonso with open arms, plus local Football observers speculated that perhaps something was left open & agreed before Mourinho left Real Madrid.

Alonso is currently recovering from an operation from a persistent niggling injury & his recovery will also play a factor in his decision. All these unknowns has been one of the main reasons that Real Madrid has gone rapidly after Real Sociedad midfielder Illarramendi. The position where Xabi Alonso plays is strategic for Real Madrid & Illarramendi is the closest thing to Xabi Alonso. 

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REAL MADRID PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES MOURINHO EXIT

Real Madrid CF President Florentino Perez gave a press conference this afternoon with double motive:

• to announce that current Coach Jose Mourinho will leave, 
• that he will be running for re-election for the Club Presidency.

Both are not new at all, simply the President formalized what we all suspected months back. The Real Madrid CF Presidential elections will be the 16th of June, & curiously Perez has´nt any opponents as yet. The man has managed to maintain a "squeaky clean" image amongst all the turmoil. 

As for José Mourinho the Coach finishes the 30th of June & the Club & Coach have come to a mutual & friendly agreement to end their professional relationship. President Perez added that Mourinho, who still had 2 more years of contract, thought it was best for the Club that he leave & Perez has not disagreed with him on this point. President Perez has added that the Club has no one as yet in mind to Coach the Club next season, but we know that this is not true at all & these are the candidates:

1. option : Carlo Ancelotti, if this fails
2. option : Jupp Heynckes

I would image that many players & their Spanish media allies will be celebrating with champagne tonight at the news that Mourinho is leaving. As mentioned here many a time the only "glue" that keeps everything together & happy : Club, Coach, Players, Media , fans etc. is winning & this year in the titles area it has been zero for Real Madrid.

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REAL MADRID POLITICS | JOSE MOURINHO TO LEAVE PRESIDENT FLORENTINO PEREZ TO STAY

Everything indicates that the "Mourinho era" at Real Madrid has come to its end. Scorched earth some claim, a created disaster area like a recently passed Hurricane. The "Special One" came to put back the glory back onto Real Madrid & will leave with only a Spanish Cup, Liga & Spanish SuperCup title. Not bad at all for any other Club, but not with Real Madrid that measures success with Champions Leagues titles, none with Mourinho, only three straight semi-finals. This can be debated elsewhere.

The Spanish Cup Final was the "last straw" for many, with a loss & thus a dry season of no titles, a "rude" non-appearance to pick up the runners-up plate in front of the King of Spain, a divided dressing room with player rebellions & a "media war", all further darkening the image of the Club again. I say again because there has been a long string of infamous acts in the last three years with "Mou" ( eye poking Barça Vilanova for example) that have blemished the Club & its History; all in the name of victories, knocking off FC Barcelona & attempting the desired 10th Champions League title. All was fair in war...but why not now?

Everyone blames Mourinho, but what about the Club President that hired him? That same Real Madrid President Florentino Perez that said publicly ..."Mourinho is the Best Coach in the World, a Coach that represents that values of Real Madrid months back? 

Today, local media speculate that the Club may actually announce the sacking of Mourinho this Monday or Tuesday. Others say that Mourinho will carry on until the last two Liga matches before announcing a mutual goodbye. Some players will pop Champagne corks along with their allied media partners which have worked so hard to "crush Mourinho", but again, what about the President of Real Madrid? Squeaky clean Florentino Perez , is about to face Club Presidential re-election without opponents. How is this possible under such "devastating" institutional Club turmoil?

Here is my humble theory.

Mourinho let known to President Florentino Perez early this year that he would leave. Both then made a "secret pact" of,  you rub my back & I´ll rub your back. President Florentino Perez with Presidential elections in June had to avoid at all costs being seen as the "bad guy" & thus "suggested" to Mourinho the he become his protective shield,  "the public bad guy" in case of a non title season. Accepting this role Real Madrid would facilitate the departure for Mourinho without much drama & if in the course Mourinho would have won a title,  better for him as he could leave with some pride & honour. Although the last was not possible Mourinho continues with his "Oscar performing role" to shield the President of Real Madrid Florentino Perez.

How do you become the bad guy overnight? How do you make things so to ease the decision to leave or even sacking? You turn against a local idiol, the Spanish International Captain & Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. This & add Cristiano Ronaldo in the equation who is the masthead of the Club & all the fans. Add the ingredients of some "non appearances" in front of a King , a red card to stay off the bench in coming games,  & you have a tsunami that has levelled the Club & the public claiming his head. Its simple.

The Iker Casillas affair will one day see the true light. There are rumours that Casillas was a "supergrass" to the press wanting to "destabilize"  his Coach which is unacceptable & unprofessional,  if this is true it is correct to punish & I would go further to say leave the Club. Plus the goalkeeper was failing in form so he needed to be motivated.  Cristiano Ronaldo gave two "shits" at the start of the season for Real Madrid with his "I am sad" comments as he - if correct as speculated - wished to leave the Club & go to Paris St Germain & thus had his head elsewhere which lowered his performance. Sergio Ramos was simply playing bad Football & was part of the blame in important defeats in Liga, the man needed a "serious call & notice". The local media which had been "rubbed up the wrong way" since the arrival of Mourinho now had the fuel needed to build an anti-Mourinho campaign & thus finally served their revenge. But is Mourinho really the blame for everything ? If Mourinho was so bad & damaging why did not the President of the Club take action earlier?

Mourinho will go & another Coach will arrive. If things goes well & important players are´nt messed with, everything OK, but if things go bad the players will again dictate the future & affairs of the Club. Yes, the players. Club Presidents as politicians work to stay in power & make sure that the "shit" flys off to hit others. Club Presidents are always "squeaky clean" & very popular.
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REAL MADRID | KHEDIRA TO FOLLOW MOURINHO TO CHELSEA FC ?

Most Football observers, locally & overseas ( the UK especially ) take it for granted that current Coach of Real Madrid Jose Mourinho will leave at the end of the season for English Premier League Club Chelsea FC. José Mourinho has not said it officially as yet & in Football as with the personality in question everything is possible & the Portuguese Coach could decide to stay in Madrid, but nearly everyone doubts it. 

Now everyone is speculating on the plans that Jose Mourinho has for Chelsea FC for next season, especially in the signing area. First indication is that Frank Lampard will stay another season as the "coming of Mou" was one of his pre-requisites. Atletico de Madrid goalkeeper Courtois, on loan from Chelsea FC, was called up by "Mou" to join him next season to be second to Petr Chech, but Courtois prefers to stay another year at Atletico de Madrid.

From England the news picked up locally is that Mourinho wants to take with him his "box to box" midfielder currently at Real Madrid, Sami Khedira. Real Madrid signed the player from Stuttgart for 14M€ & now could sell him for around 25M€. Mourinho considers that the Chelsea midfield needs to be strengthen as the area is full of "veterans". However, Real Madrid & their "new Coach" may have something to say in this area.

Another name sounding , although its rumour, is Radamel Falcao of Atletico de Madrid. Although in the last weeks French Clubs Monaco & Paris St Germain have gained ground & favoured positions.

More news soon about Mourinho & possible Spanish based players that may join him - if he goes - at Chelsea FC next season.

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REAL MADRID | MOURINHO PREFERS LOPEZ OVER CASILLAS PLUS SLAMS PEPE

Explosive press conference given this mid-day by Real Madrid Coach José Mourinho. A press conference that has given media overkill material for headlines & speculation with special hammering for current Real Madrid Captain & goalkeeper Iker Casillas & defender Pepe, the latter who defended Casillas with comments after the last Liga match last weekend.

In a nutshell, Mourinho let known that he has no problem with Iker Casillas at all, simply that he likes more Diego Lopez as a goalkeeper & he makes the decision as Coach. Plus he sent a "shiver" down the spine of many players & media observers ( & perhaps the Club ) insinuating that he may actually stay at Real Madrid next season.

Here are some true gems ...selected Mourinho comments which I have translated to English. 

"Me planteo seguir y siempre jugará Diego López conmigo"
"I am thinking in staying,  & Diego Lopez always would play with me"

I think the "I am thinking of staying" is very ironic & sarcastic ( even humorous ) from Mourinho.

When asked about Pepe:
“Su problema tiene un nombre: Rafael Varane”.
"His problem has a name: Rafael Varane"

He later when on to say that the future defensive line of Real Madrid is Varane & Sergio Ramos.

Then he put the final boot in ( nail in the coffin ) for Pepe with:
"No es fácil para un hombre de 31 años, con status y un pasado, ser atropellado por un niño de 19 años".
"It is not easy for a man (player) of 31, with status and a past, be "run-over" by a 19 year old boy" (Varane)

Devastating for Pepe , & just as nightmarish for Iker Casillas.

Mourinho maybe "bluffing" that he will stay at Real Madrid next season as a tactic to stop players speaking out in public before the important Spanish Cup Final against Atletico de Madrid on Friday 17 May. Or not!

Either way we are in for some exciting & explosive stuff in coming days & weeks.

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REAL MADRID | JUPP HEYNCKES IS PLAN B IF PSG CARLO ANCELOTTI FAILS

The elimination of Real Madrid last night at hands of Borussia Dortmund from Champions League has set off a chain of speculation concerning the future of Coach Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese Coach gave some hint last night at the post-Champions press conference when he said: "I may not be here next Champions, I am hated by some & I wish to stay  where I am wanted".

Mourinho has been heavily criticised by Spanish Sports press for sometime & some sectors of the Sports press seem to have systematically orchestrated a "personal vendetta" against the Real Madrid Coach. From England the news is that José Mourinho will return to London & Chelsea FC, although Paris St Germain keeps sounding as well.

Real Madrid Directives & Club President Florentino Perez had been working the past weeks in find a substitute Coach in case Jose Mourinho does decide to definitely leave at the end of the season. The desired substitute Coach is Italian & current Paris St Germain Coach Carlo Ancelotti. Rumours have it that its a "done deal" & their is a pre-agreement between both parties with only the confirmation by José Mourinho himself that he wishes to leave as the basic element.

However, their is a technical problem with Carlo Ancelotti, his contract. The Italian has one more year of contract with PSG & this may hamper his departure from the French Club to join Real Madrid

Last night a Spanish Football TV programme, let known that Real Madrid has a PLAN B , just in case the Carlo Ancelotti option gets to complex & cannot be achieved. Real Madrid has current Bayern Munich Coach Jupp Heynckes as OPTION B, a Coach that ends contract this season with Bayern Munich & is an ex-Coach of Real Madrid. Heynckes won a Champions League Coaching Real Madrid back in season 1997-98 & knows well Spanish Football & the Spanish Club. 

Stay tuned for developments.

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REAL MADRID THINKING ABOUT PSG MIDFIELDER VARRATTI ?

German paper "Bild" puts Real Madrid Coach José Mourinho back at Chelsea FC next season along with most English papers & Spanish Football observers. While this "rumour" persists there is also speculation that Real Madrid has tied up their chosen replacement Coach in case Mourinho does finally announce that he will leave: Italian Carlo Ancelotti.

Apparently the Italian & possible new Coach of Real Madrid next season has given his first instructions to the Spanish Soccer Club, the signing of Italian & Paris St Germain midfielder Marco Varratti. While Manchester United is also in the hunt for the midfielder, Real Madrid has apparently put a price on the table, 25M€. The Italian is seen as the substitute/replacement for Xabi Alonso in case the latter decides to finally leave at the end of the season.

Said this, Paris St Germain are said to not be so keen in letting go of their "in demand" player. The Italian is having a great season at PSG & the French Club will make things very difficult even if the person with the solicitation is Carlo Anceletti.

Stay tuned!

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | REAL MADRID CONJURES "PAST SPIRITS" & "FOOTBALL MYSTICISM" TO DEFEAT DORTMUND

The aftermath reaction to yesterdays painful 4 - 1 defeat by Real Madrid at the hands of German Club Borussia Dortmund is to conjure up "spirits" of past glorious comebacks at the "Santiago Bernabeu Stadium". The message from Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho is that "we must die on the field, nothing is impossible". Sounds like something General Custer said before being slaughter by the Indians on the "battlefield".

What the reality calls for is that Real Madrid will need to win 3-0 next Tuesday to turnaround that semi final of Champions League & thus eliminate Borussia Dortmund. This in itself is possible, what is unlikely is that Real Madrid will keep the Germans from scoring. That is, Real Madrid must not allow Dortmund to score, & this in my opinion is nearly impossible.

I have not seen any evidence at all this season in Champions League ( or the three games against Dortmund already played ) that Real Madrid has the players or the ideas of keeping Borussia without scoring next Tuesday. Precisely it is the Real Madrid defence that has deficiencies & much more, the midfield is too slow ( & tired ) to stop the Germans. Added to this, Real Madrid has no choice but to line-up a super offensive-attacking line-up in order to launch themselves after the much needed three goals. This will leave the defence "undermanned" or at a minimum with spaces that the Germans can exploit. 

A club like Real Madrid must look towards turning around this difficult semi-final tie because it is what is expected from a Football Club of this dimension, with its impressive history, with the star-studded squad that it has, the profile of Coach & for the respect to its fans & supporters. It is correct that Real Madrid has already began its self-psychology of believing in the comeback & building up the atmosphere to create & allow a possible night of historical magic.

But lets be realistic, I would not bet on Real Madrid eliminating Borussia Dortmund. Yes, Real Madrid may win the game & save some pride, but I do not see how or believe that Real Madrid can keep Borussia Dortmund scoreless for 90 miniutes. I do think nothing is impossible, & least in Football, but the keeping Borussia scoreless, the vital element of the equation,  is almost impossible seen what has been seen. The true winner will be the local press & TVs in their promotion of the "second coming of the Football Jesus to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium". I hope the fall & the let down with not be so hard.

I pray that I am proved wrong. I would enjoy to receive a barrage of criticism next Tuesday late night for being an unbeliever. It would be a pleasure, if it means that Spanish Football has a Club in the Champions League Final, & I say this for FC Barcelona as well which has another miracle to perform if they are to get through.

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REAL MARDRID CF | ANCELOTTI CHOSEN IF MOURINHO LEAVES

Current Coach José Mourinho neither affirms or denies that he will be leaving Real Madrid CF at the end of the season. However, signals give the impression that Mourinho will be heading elsewhere at the end of the current season & everything points to Chelsea FC. Said this there is some hard bargaining & negotiations happening with Chelsea & Paris St Germain is his second option if the first falls.

While this is still speculation, Mourinho only says that he & the Club will sit down at the end of the season to analyse the situation & make a decision that will benefit all. While this maybe true, Real Madrid - the Club & the Institution - cannot wait around as planning for next season continues. Real Madrid must have an option B & even C in the case that the Portuguese does leave.

The hotly rumoured candidate is current PSG Coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian is an "old desire" of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez & a man with immense experience in European Football. What makes Ancelotti even more liked is his ability to manage dressing rooms full of egos & "stars", something of a prerequisite at Real Madrid. Some observers have even gone as far in saying that there maybe already a pre-agreement between Real Madrid & the Italian.

Mentioned this, some Directives at Real Madrid would like to see another candidate, or at least that it be considered. Borussia Dortmund Coach Jurgen Klopp is a name flying around at the moment & is picking up speed around the media circuit. This & another Coach Andre Villa-Boas of Tottenham Hotspurs, although the last is seen as inexperienced & without real proven success so far.

Either way, the two big events coming up for Real Madrid will be crucial: the Champions League & the Spanish Cup Final. A victory of the converted 10th European Cup will allow Mourinho to leave as a hero & legend which will be to his liking. A loss may change things, although the "observers" are saying either way Mourinho has made his decision already.

Stay tuned.

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REAL MADRID NEWS | CARLO ANCELOTTI - CAVANI TIED UP ?

This next story should be taken for what it is, speculation without any official statement. The news comes out of the Barcelona based Spanish Sports daily "Sport", something good & bad, the first its out of the Real Madrid dominated media & the second bad because "Sport" is always attempting to put a spoke in the Real Madrid bicycle.

According to reports, many observers believe that current Coach José Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season. Some have gone further in commenting that Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has a pre-agreement with Italian & Paris St Germain Coach Carlo Ancelotti in the case that Mourinho announces his exit.

One of the demands of Carlo Ancelotti for Real Madrid if he was to take over is the signing of Uruguayan & Napoles striker Cavani. The mentioned Spanish Sports daily report today that Real Madrid has Cavani tied up for next season in accord with the solicitation of Ancelotti thus making the Uruguayan the first signing for next season.

Before getting all excited ( the Real Madrid fans ) all this is still rumour. Please keep it in mind. Stay tuned!

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IF MOURINHO GOES TO CHELSEA WILL HE TAKE CRISTIANO RONALDO ?

All the news is coming out of England. The daily newspapers - "Sunday Express", "Daily Mirror"...etc - place Real Madrid Coach José Mourinho back at the English Premier League Club Chelsea FC next season. The trip to London last week by Mourinho heightened the speculation,  & the comment by the Portuguese Coach that he is committed to Real Madrid 100% until the end of the season ..."end of the season", has fuelled further the speculation.

However there are more clues, according to the English source "Express.co.uk", current Chelsea FC Coach Rafael Benitez has confessed to his "inner circle" that he does not see himself continuing at Chelsea FC next season because negotiations are very advanced for the return of José Mourinho. Plus Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has said he will only consider renewing with the Club if Mourinho returns. 

But here is the big news, the one that could make Real Madrid nervous. According to "Sunday Express" & picked up locally by Barcelona based paper "Mundo Deportivo", Mourinho has asked Chelsea owner Abramovich to do everything possible to bring over Cristiano Ronaldo. There is even an economic figure written, pay Real Madrid around 70M€. Lets all remember that Cristiano Ronaldo has not renewed his contract with Real Madrid.

Continuing with the speculation  midfielder Xabi Alonso has already told Real Madrid that he will not continue, his relationship with Mourinho is excellent & a move with him to Chelsea FC is not "science-fiction".

If all these rumours are true, we are in for a "mini-revolution" at Real Madrid. The obvious objective is to win the Spanish Cup & Champions League so that Mourinho can leave on a winning note, but taking Ronaldo as well ? Remember both are represented by Jorge Mendes, super Football agent. 

Conclusion, I would wait & see how things develop. If your a Real Madrid follower & fan I would take all this news as rumour, in fact there is no definite nor conclusive evidence, only circumstantial signs. Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID SIGNING NEWS | CURRENT FOUR CANDIDATES - EXITS

The major European Football Clubs are making their moves & planning the upcoming 2013-2014 season. Real Madrid CF is one of them & rumours - as expected - are fast flying around on a daily basis. The associated names 6 possible next season candidates are long, but today I would like to home-in on four candidates. Just four names that are sounding on a regular basis, persistently, come from varying news sources & seem consistent. 

The four current Real Madrid candidates for next season are:

• Sergio Aguero ( Manchester City ) 
• Isco ( Malaga FC )
• Gareth Bale ( Tottenham Hotspurs )
• Carvajal ( Bayern Laverkusen )

In order to enter,  players must leave. Currently these names are sounding to see the exit door:

• Antonio Adan ( Goalkeeper)
• Ricardo Carvalho ( Defender)
• Raul Albiol ( Defender)
• Essien ( on-loan back to Chelsea FC)
• Kaka ( Midfielder )
• Higuain or Benzema ( Forwards) 

But exit names are not only on the players front. It is speculated that Coach José Mourinho will leave at the end of the season. The Clubs sounding as a new possible home for the Portuguese Coach are Chelsea FC, Paris St Germain & Inter Milan. However nothing is confirmed or certain at all with Mourinho & things will depend on how things evolve from here to the end of the season ( how the team progresses in Champions League & the Spanish Cup Final).

In summary, this is the current state of affairs at Real Madrid to this date with their next season planning. This can change tomorrow or next week. Football is in constant flux & names of players keep appearing on a daily basis. We have said nothing about Falcao or Cavani, but they to have been doing the rumour circuit as well lately & are not to be discarded at all. 

Stay tuned. Spanish Football Sports will keep you updated with all the news & movements in coming weeks & months.

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REAL MADRID | WILL IKER CASILLAS REGAIN HIS GOALKEEPING PLACE ?

Diego Lopez is the current goalkeeper of Real Madrid CF. Born & raised in the "White House" the keeper had to find our pastures to gaze ( ...Villareal, Malaga FC ) in order to practice his profession. One of the reasons for his departure is due to the man that he is now replacing Iker Casillas,  Spanish National Team & Real Madrid Captain. 

The hand injury to the latter which required surgery has sidelined Casillas for up to 8 weeks. With this situation Real Madrid signed a another goalkeeper to fill the position knowing that important & vital Spanish Cup & Champions League matches were on the upcoming schedule.

The Club restored to Diego Lopez, also Spanish International & at Malaga FC where he was not getting the playing time one would expect for a player of his caliber. The Club needed a profile that would adapt quickly to the team & the Club as an institution, who better that Diego Lopez under the circumstances.

After the initial games, Lopez has shown again his abilities & skills being pivotal in the FC Barcelona games ( Spanish Cup & Liga ) & Manchester United clashes. In fact only 4 goals had gone through his "hands" in said encounters, but with more than half a dozen match winning saves. His Coach Jose Mourinho poured praises over his goalkeeper after the Manchester United Champions League match & this signals that Lopez has lived up to/ his expectations. 

This raises the question, a "serious" question. What happens when Iker Casillas recovers?

At this point there is no justifiable reason to replace Diego Lopez, that is, Iker Casillas would be the second goalkeeper. This is exactly what Coach José Mourinho wanted to create, serious competition for the goalkeeping spot as he felt that Iker Casillas was "unconsciously" resting on his "laurels" . This season Casillas has received more criticism than usual for lapses, fixed play mistakes & perhaps not following the Mourinho line of thought. The relationship between the Real Madrid Captain & José Mourinho is said to be strained-tense & that Casillas was a suspected  "supergrass" of the press on dressing-room matters. What now?

I personally think that if Diego Lopez continues this line & in growing form that it will be difficult to see Iker Casillas win back his place this season barring injury to Lopez. The last Tuesday night exhibition by Diego Lopez against Manchester United not only consolidated his position as Real Madrid goalkeeper it has also lifted him psychologically & given him a push in self-esteem perhaps lacking before due to his few minutes at Malaga FC. Diego Lopez has already won his place with his saves & efforts for the Spanish Cup Final & if Real Madrid continue onto the Final of the Champions League objectively & morally Lopez will have solid arguments.

This raises another issue, can Spanish Football National Team Coach Del Bosque justify calling up & placing as goalkeeper Iker Casillas if he isn´t playing? If this does occur we will have another debate, intense in itself & with some possible ramifications for Iker Casillas.

Interesting & changing times ahead  as always at Real Madrid & Spanish Football.

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CARLO ANCELOTTI GIVES HIS VERBAL OK TO REAL MADRID ?

French Paper "Le Parisen" reports that Paris St Germain Italian Coach Carlos Ancelotti has give a verbal OK to Coach REAL MADRID. The Italian has been on the Real Madrid agenda many times in the past & is an "old" desire of Real Madrid President Florentino Perez who has returned to look for the PSG Coach.

However, this is not confirmed 100% & there are other names being rumoured at this moment. Chelsea FC Coach Rafael Benitez blew a kiss this week with loving comments plus Swansea Coach Michael Laudrup is being talked about as well, along with Borussia Dortmund Jurgen Klopp.

Everything looks more clearer as weeks pass that current Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho will leave at the end of the season. The Portuguese Coach leaves due to dressing room problems with "heavy-weights" Ramos & Casillas, plus he feels he hasn't the backing of the President & the Club. In fact, the rumours go further saying that if Real Madrid gets knocked out of Champions League that Mourinho could exit earlier than the end of the season.

Fate could play a hand in this case as Mourinho could well end up at Paris St Germain while Ancelotti lands in Real Madrid. Sort of ironic ( in the good sense ) if this does happen in the end.

Said all this, it is all currently rumour, there is still plenty of matches & months left before the end of the season & Football changes on a daily basis. Mourinho could be throwing a "poker bluff" to get his ways at Real Madrid or cunning up some twisted motivational strategy. Who knows really, but as mentioned, the rumours get hotter as days & weeks go by & I am also thinking that Mourinho has set his mind on leaving.

Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID | JOSE MOURINHO IFFHS CLUB COACH OF THE YEAR

While Spanish National Football Team Selector Vicente del Bosque was awarded this week FIFA Coach of the Year, the Football Organization backed by FIFA, the "International Federation of Football History & Statistics" ( IFFHS) acknowledged & awarded REAL MADRID CF Coach JOSE MOURINHO is 4th straight "Best Coach of Year at Club level".

The only Spanish Coach in the Top 10 is Pep Guardiola of FC BARCELONA in 4th place, while SPANISH FOOTBALL Club ATLETICO DE MADRID Coach Simeone is 3rd & AHTLETIC CLUB BILBAO Coach Bielsa is 9th. Here is the Top 10 list, 

Classification:

.1. José Mourinho (POR/Real Madrid) 101 points
.2. Roberto Di Matteo (ITA/Chelsea) 99
.3. Diego Pablo Simeone (ARG/Atlético de Madrid) 97
.4. Josep Guardiola (SP/Barcelona) 82
.5. Tite (BRA/Corinthians) 61
.6. Jupp Heynckes (GER/Bayern Múnich) 40
.7. Alex Ferguson (ESC/Manchester United) 27
.8. Jürgen Klopp (GER/Borussia Dortmund) 15
.9. Marcelo Bielsa (ARG/Athletic Club) 12
10. Roberto Mancini (ITA/Manchester City) 11

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REAL MADRID | THE MOURINHO WALL

While LA LIGA takes a break thanks to the 2014 World Cup Group schedule, Spanish Football media still needs to sell papers & sometimes they concentrate on publishing interesting things that normally go unknown to the fans.

Spanish Sports paper "Marca" publish an article titled "The Mourinho Wall". The story goes that every time after a match REAL MADRID Coach JOSE MOURINHO prepares a series of images that he sticks up on the dressing room wall & analyses all the errors of the match & points out to each player involved were they went wrong & how to improve.  Firmly studied & thoughtfully argued - Mourinho style & logic - the Coach goes point by point to get his idea across to the players. The set plays must be costing him a bit.

Most Coaches prefer to use video, but Mourinho prefers big sized images taken from TV to point out the match "moments" & goal costing mistakes.

Interesting insight that may not surprise many but may fascinate someone, & that in itself is worth the post. Hope you enjoyed.

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THE MOURINHO - RAMOS "SPLIT" | QUESTION OF WINNING OR LOSING

REAL MADRID Coach José Mourinho left defender SERGIO RAMOS on the bench for the Champions League match against Manchester City on Tuesday & that has ignited the "speculation" fuel can. Most observers interpret the move as a "punishment" & a call to attention by the Coach towards one of the "heavyweight" dressing room players. The actual protagonists have only limited themselves in explaining that it was a tactical move & nothing more. José Mourinho even commented post match that there are no bad vibes with the 26 year old International & second Team Captain. 

Said all this, the substitute RAFAEL VARANE was absolutely splendid on the night & unfortunately instead of most of us exalting the virtues & class of this young French defender we are again intertwined with rumours & internal conflicts talk. 

Veteran Spanish Football Observer, Alfredo Duro,  voiced on Spanish TV last night that there is effectively a serious split between Coach Mourinho & Sergio Ramos which may be difficult to repair, at least in the short-term. His explanations are that both personalities have worn themselves out, Mourinho favours some players ( the "Portugues pack" ) , that there is increasing distrust between both ( methods & play) & that the player is feed up with him being singled out every time there is a problem on the field.   The fact is that Sergio Ramos is an outspoken man & does not bite his tongue or follow strictly the "Mourinho Doctrine". Alfredo Duro went on to say that it is the high professional attitude of Sergio Ramos that has allowed this situation to continue without effecting the team as he puts the latter first & infront of his personal attitudes. Sounds admirable, & I suppose there is some "propaganda" thrown in as well. When Coach Mourinho comments publically that "some players"  have their heads elsewhere apart from Football, there is a reason. Plus when you watch the videos & analyze the defensive mistakes, Ramos is somehow involved directly or indirectly. In a nutshell there currently exists all the ingredients for the media to have a field day & sell lots of papers & Tv time. Not to mention the multiple enemies that José Mourinho has build up over his time in Spain, many waiting to sick the knife in deeply. 

Sergio Ramos

Obviously there is tension between personalities,  & some  dressing room territorial battles of egos & prestige. Also there is real possibilities that if this is not - or other situations - managed properly that the dressing room could explode & the 2012-2013 with it. The above Football journalists goes as far to say that at the end of the season there will be a "either he goes or I go situation". Daring prediction I would say with more than 8 months left of the season & anything could happen . Imagine if Real Madrid wins Champions League? Will anyone remember this incident? This post?


With this in the air some European Clubs smell opportunity & are already positioning themselves for the possibility of getting over the 26 year old who is considered one of the "Best Central Defenders" in World Football. The market price is conservatively valued at 50M€ & it seems that CHELSEA FC maybe preparing something.  They & Manchester City, perhaps Manchester United & some say the Russian "petrol" dollar Clubs. 

I say the following , Ramos will be lined up this weekend against RAYO VALLECANO in Liga & if a victory occurs the waters will settle. Here is the point, winning is the glue that keeps things together, defeat separates & opens wounds, in the Ramos case & in every Football case. If Real Madrid can regain a winning streak this will be another "hiccup", if they lose & lose in big competitions the dressing room & Real Madrid will burst apart taking players & causing victims.

Lastly, if a Club came with +50M€ for Ramos at the end of the season , I would sell. There is a fabulous defender waiting for his regular chance called Rafael Varane who is a marvel to watch.  Potentially much better with more class than Ramos. 

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