One of La Liga’s most decorated players looks set to leave the Spanish top flight as Brazilian midfield star Casemiro could be a Manchester United player within the week.
In nine seasons with Real Madrid, the 30-year-old defensive midfielder has won three La Liga titles and an incredible five Champions League winners medals. But the competition for places at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the arrival of Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco, has meant Casemiro’s opportunities have become limited.
He’s just the sort of player Manchester United need: a technically gifted, fierce battler who can show some leadership on the pitch in a team sadly lacking at the moment. And United fans would dearly love to see him in the side when they meet Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday night, but they will have to wait. The two clubs have made an agreement to transfer the player and all that remains is a medical, a UK visa and the agreement of personal terms, hopefully with minimal discussion.
If all goes to plan, the Selecao star could make his Manchester United debut in Southampton on Saturday. He may not be the marquee signing some fans were hoping for, but he is certainly the right pedigree, always making Real Madrid a better and more successful team when he was in the starting 11. And he has much more experience and ability in the defensive midfield role than Scott McTominay, and will be the ideal replacement for Nemanja Matic. A physically strong and hard-tackling player Casemiro can get the United fans on their feet, probably quicker than their creative players who, at the moment, couldn’t punch their way out of a paper bag!
Kounde in limbo
In other La Liga 2022 news, the situation at Barcelona is becoming more frustrating by the minute for the Blaugrana’s summer signing Jules Kounde. The France star signed for the club in a 55m Euros move from Champions League hopefuls Sevilla, but he may be starting to regret the switch as the club has, so far, failed to register him to play as they wrestle with the financial fair play regulations.
The 23-year-old defender snubbed Chelsea as he preferred a move to the Camp Nou. But while Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha were registered, Kounde was forced to watch again from the sidelines in the weekend match with Real Sociedad. There have been suggestions that, only a month after arriving in Catalonia, he could be ready to move on if the situation isn’t sorted quickly.
Head coach Xavi has voiced his frustration on behalf of the player saying: “It bothers me because we signed him to play and he understands that. Let’s wait for the next week. Let’s see if there is luck in this.”
Kounde needs more than luck; he needs Barca to reduce their squad wage bill or he’ll be sitting the next game out too. It’s a problem the club needs to address urgently and, with nine games to go before the transfer window closes, there is a lot of work to be done.
Barca hoped to offload Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United but that deal has collapsed and the Red Devils have already looked elsewhere…towards Madrid to be precise.
Perfect start for Yellow Sub
Atletico Madrid met Villarreal in the clash of the weekend and the Yellow Submarine came out on top thanks to late goals from Yeremi Pino and Gerard Moreno, the second coming in the 97th minute.
Here at SBOTOP, we predicted a draw or at least a tight game with 2-3 goals; the latter shout was right but Atleti’s night was a disaster which became even worse when Nahuel Molina reacted badly to a foul by Alex Baena and received his marching orders. Moreno also went into the book for an excessive celebration following his late, late goal…but who can blame him?
The La Liga 2022 betting odds back Villarreal to win a Champions League place this season and, as we speak, they sit at the top of the pile.
Real Madrid continued their winning start with a thumping 4-1 victory away to Celta Vigo. Iago Aspas scored for the hosts but goals from Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde swept Celta away and sent Los Blancos to second in the table.
Real Betis and Osasuna have also registered maximum points and they face each other next Friday. After a frustrating goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano on the opening day, Barcelona got up and running with a 4-1 victory away to Real Sociedad. Robert Lewandowski opened his account in the very first minute and, after Alexander Isak had equalised for La Real, the Blaugrana took total control with goals from Ousmane Dembele, another for Lewandowski and one for Ansu Fati.
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