Monthly Archives: August 2015

Error-strewn Barcelona porous in defence at a worrying time for Luis Enrique

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Barcelona were humiliated in the first leg of their Spanish Super Cup clash against Athletic Bilbao on Friday evening, losing 4-0 to the Basque outfit at the San Mames Stadium that saw Aritz Adruiz score a hat-trick. The Catalans have now conceded eight goals in their last two competitive fixtures, with the Bilbao thrashing following on from their 5-4 win in the UEFA Super Cup win against Sevilla, and manager Luis Enrique has a task on his hands to shore up the backline ahead of the new season.

“I had to make many changes because we had only three days to recover. I take responsibility for the loss. The schedule hurt us, as we had just come back from a trip to Georgia, but this is not the time to look for excuses. The calendar is what it is,” he said following the defeat.

“I’ve never played an easy game against Athletic. I congratulate them, but on Monday (second leg) there will be another atmosphere. Is a comeback possible? This was just the first half. If there’s one team that can turn this around it’s Barca.”

The La Liga champions kick off their title defence against Bilbao at the San Mames Stadium in just nine days, and they could well suffer a repeat of Friday’s thrashing if they don’t rectify their recent defensive errors. Last season’s runners-up Real Madrid will have been paying strict attention to their rivals’ results of late, and may well have some confidence that Barcelona could falter in the division.

Coming off the back of winning the treble (La Liga, Champions League, Copa Del Rey), the Catalans boasted the best defensive record in the domestic division by some distance (38 games played, 21 goals conceded). New-boy Jeremy Mathieu brought a balance to the defence alongside centre-back Gerard Pique, and Javier Mascherano particularly impressed playing at the back as well midfield, but things haven’t gone to plan this month.

The defending champions have a difficult few opening games in the league, with a trip to face Atletico Madrid being their third game into the new season. Based on their performances in August, Barcelona could well struggle to get results. They have the best array of attacking talent, but the defence are in need of work to ensure their eight goals conceded in two games is an anomaly.

Enrique feels the recent form suffered by the Spaniards suggests how difficult it would be for Barcelona to retain their league title this season, saying: “It seems Barcelona are expected to win every title, but it is not always like this. People think Barca win automatically but that’s not the case.”

Can Luis Enrique fix Barcelona’s porous defence to replicate last season’s watertight backline?

Manchester United losing control in the spiralling David De Gea saga

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was candid when asked about the future of want away goalkeeper David De Gea this summer, revealing a fallout between the two parties has led to the Spaniard being axed from the first-team. Spanish La Liga side Real Madrid have been linked with the shot-stopper’s services all through the summer, but the two clubs haven’t agreed terms on a price.

De Gea wants to leave the club, and Real Madrid want to buy him, but Manchester United won’t budge from their asking price. The ball is somewhat in Real’s court given the Spanish international is out of contract at the end of the 2016/17 season, and is reportedly considering running his deal down in order to force the move so United have a difficult decision to make.

Despite still having the talented goalkeeper on the books, De Gea has been axed from the first-team as a result of the falling out with his club manager, so he’s of no benefit to Manchester United in a playing capacity. There are also conflicting reports between the two parties, with Van Gaal suggesting De Gea refused to play again for United in protest to his move being blocked, days after suggesting De Gea’s exile was his decision as he felt the Spaniard was not mentally ready.

“We’ve talked with him (De Gea), he was fully agreed with our decision. We have a goalkeeping coach, Frans Hoek who had a meeting with David de Gea, and asked him, ‘Do you want to play?’.” Van Gaal added that De Gea replied ‘no’.

He further revealed that he had no choice but to remove him from the team altogether, hinting that his form in training was suffering due to the ongoing sage. “Then I have to take the decision. It is a process. We had been observing him in preparation, he was not so good, he was not the same David de Gea as before, he was my best player last season.”

Manchester United seem to be stuck with David De Gea for the time being, but the fact he’s not playing seems a misguided decision. Real are still likely to make him theirs before the transfer window closes, but the situation the Red Devils find themselves in could have been avoided by not caving to player demands. Toying over a few million pounds difference in asking price has meant real uncertainty over who would be their first choice between the sticks this season, and seeing De Gea watching the club play from the stands seems a waste.

Manchester City close to signing Wolfsburg’s Kevin de Bruyne

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Manchester City are reportedly close to sealing a £45M deal to sign Wolfsburg playmaker Kevin de Bruyne this summer, with the Belgian international keen on a return to the Premier League. Named the best player in the German Bundesliga last season, De Bruyne has bene linked with a host of clubs throughout the summer as a result of his incredible form for the Wolves, and is eyeing major trophies with his next move.

Formerly of Chelsea, Manchester City are paying considerably more than how much the Londoners initially sold him to Wolfsburg for, but his performances over the last 12 months are said to have been enough to convince last season’s runners-up to make him a City player for the 2015/16 campaign. Club captain Vincent Kompany made it clear just how highly he rates the midfielder, and admitted his keenness for City to sign him.

“Let me put it this way, he (De Bruyne) is definitely not going to make the team weaker. He’s a phenomenal player. Our squad can become stronger by getting everyone in the right direction. (He will join) players like Raheem and Delph, who from what I’ve seen will give us something different,” he said.

De Bruyne certainly isn’t being overbilled. The 24-year-old made 20 assists in the league last season, scoring 10 goals for his troubles. Unsurprisingly he was a standout star in the Bundesliga as a result, after having made the most amount of chances for his teammates (112). Despite the speculation, he did look set to stay in Germany for at least another year, but recent developments have the situation turned on its head, with Wolfsburg director Klaus Allofs blaming City for unsettling the midfielder.

“I think some other clubs have definitely turned Kevin’s head. Some huge figures are doing the rounds and I can understand why Kevin is leaving everything open. He’s got to listen to the offers. I can’t expect from him that he doesn’t even want to entertain them. If he was only contracted to us until 2017, then yes, it would be different. But let’s be honest about it – it’s highly unlikely that he’ll stay with us right up until 2019,” he said.

Coupled with Manchester City strong start to the new season and Chelsea’s struggles, the signing of Kevin De Bruyne could well lead the Sky Blues to the Premier League title in 2015/16. The chance of winning silverware will be the pivotal factor of the Belgian returning to England, and it appears City are leading the race for his signature.

AS Roma bolstering attacking options to avoid repeat of last season’s slump

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AS Roma recently completed a deal to sign Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move the following summer. The 29-year-old is the seventh notable arrival made by the Italian side ahead of the new campaign, and it’s clear that manager Rudi Garcia is taking every step to ensure a lack of goals aren’t a problem this time round.

AS Roma’s Transfers
Andrea Bertolacci (Genoa CFC) £6M
Víctor Ibarbo (Cagliari Calcio) Loan £3.5M
Mohamed Salah (Chelsea FC) Loan £3.5M
Leandro Paredes (Club Atlético Boca Juniors) £3M
Edin Dzeko  (Manchester City) Loan £3M
Iago Falqué (Genoa CFC) Loan £1M
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal FC) Loan

Under the French coach, Roma have been chasing the title in the last two seasons, but haven’t managed to dethrone perennial champions Juventus in the Serie A.

They have been runners-up in the division in 2013/14 and 2014/15, but last season saw Garcia close to the sack following dismal form between the middle of January and the middle of March. Roma won just one game of a nine-game period in the New Year, which gift-wrapped the title to Juve.

During their poor form, Roma had drawn eight games, and just didn’t have enough firepower to turn things around any quicker. As a result, Garcia has been hard at work strengthening their frontline, and the likes of Dzeko, Salah and Ibarbo will certainly give them plenty of options.

The Roma boss has also had a task in retaining existing stars in the team, with the likes of Radja Nainggolan being linked with a move away. Miralem Pjanic, Kevin Strootman and Daniele De Rossi were a trio of midfielders who had also been speculated about, but Garcia will have his best side available to try and snatch the title of Juventus this season. He’s talked up his team’s chances this summer too, saying: We won’t change our ambitions. I am here to win.”

Roma have been very busy behind the scenes signing a number of players to strengthen the overall squad for a title-challenge next season, and manager Rudi Garcia is motivated to try and lead them to glory. Their midfield was already one of real quality capable of standing up to the Old Lady in the title race, and now they have a frontline full of goals, could in be Roma’s year?

Does Rudi Garcia finally have a team that could go all the way in the Italian Serie A?

Are Manchester City genuine Premier League title-challengers this season?

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Manchester City kicked off the new Premier League season with an emphatic 3-0 win away to West Bromwich Albion on Monday night. The Sky Blues were dominant from the outset, taking advantage of the lack of Albion bodies in the middle of the park, and were at their fluid best going forward. The likes of David Silva and Yaya Toure impressed in particular, showcasing exactly why manager Manuel Pellegrini continues to pin his faith on his longer serving stars.

Following the game, captain Vincent Kompany revealed that the Citizens are playing with a point to prove, saying: “Last season was below what we’re used to doing. There are a lot of favourite teams now and we’re not part of it, I’ve heard. It’s something that gives us extra motivation. We felt we had a point to prove this season. That has been our motivation. Seeing the boys in training I knew we’d be up for it,” revealed the Belgian.

Chelsea have had a tricky start to the new season, losing in the Community Shield against Arsenal, before being held to a draw at home to Swansea City. Manchester City will certainly fancy their chances of getting their title back given how poor the Londoners have so far been early into the new campaign, and they can put real pressure on Jose Mourinho’s men but starting strongly.

City’s 3-0 win at the Hawthorns would have been watched thorough by Mourinho, whose side lock horns next with the Sky Blues in the Premier League. Should the hosts (Man City) get the upper hand against the champions, Manchester City title credentials will be strengthening. Former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling is their only notable addition this summer, so it’s clear Pellegrini is confident about his side’s quality.

And given the ease of their opening day win, there’s reason to believe the side who have finished in the top-two of the Premier League for each of their last four seasons – winning the title twice in this time – can challenge defending champions Chelsea for the crown this time round.

Pellegrini has tipped his side for glory, saying: “I am absolutely sure that we are going to have a very successful season. We must bring back the title here to our fans. We need to play in the way we know how to play to continue with our attacking style and score the most amount of goals. We are sure, as I have just said, that we are going to bring it back.”

Why can’t Arsenal ever start the new Premier League season in winning fashion?

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Arsenal kicked off the 2015/16 Premier League campaign with a home defeat to London rivals West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, and such poor starts to the new season have been synonymous with the Gunners down the years. With Arsene Wenger’s men having enjoyed just one opening day win in the last five seasons, why can’t Arsenal start fast?

The Londoners are always playing catch-up in the Premier League as a result of dropping points nearly every season regardless of opposition. The 2014/15 was the first in six years that Arsenal managed to win their opening game, which is an embarrassing record for a side looking to challenge for the title.

“We will respond to that accident,” Wenger said following the defeat to West Ham. “The players were maybe too nervous and put too much pressure on themselves. Today we have been hurt mentally and it is a good opportunity to respond. We were not convincing offensively or defensively. I knew it could be a tricky game. If you can’t win the game, make sure you don’t lose it.”

With Arsenal having failed to score against the Hammers, despite creating enough chances at the Emirates, the argument for the Londoners needing a striker has risen again. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema remains one name consistently linked to the Emirates club, but Wenger continues to play down any chance of a move for the Frenchman.

“I would like to think that we are responsible for buying the players, not the media. When you’re a pro footballer, you have to face your responsibilities and not always look at something else. Today we have to look at ourselves and think we were not good enough, and not to think that (signings) are solutions for us,” he added.

After only one game, Arsenal are already three points behind the likes of title-chasers Manchester City and Manchester United, as well as Liverpool in the Premier League table. While it may seem a small margin with so many games to go, the Gunners are once again playing catch-up from day one, and it’s something that continues to repeat itself.

Wenger’s side clearly have preparation problems in the Premier League as this isn’t an isolated incident, but what steps can they take to ensure there are no future repeats. Is the problem with the atmosphere? Are the players being guilty of complacency? Why can’t Arsenal ever start a Premier League season fast?

Marcelo Bielsa finally runs of out patience at Marseilles

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Following Olympique de Marseilles’ 1-0 defeat to Caen in their opening French Ligue 1 game, manager Marcelo Bielsa tendered his resignation, with reports suggesting CEO Philippe Perez and lawyer Igor Levin altered his previously-agreed contract extension as ordered by club owner Margarita Louis-Dreyfus.

Bielsa has been hamstrung at Marseilles due to the ongoing players sales each summer, but he enjoyed an impressive debut season and was willing to extend his stay in France. However, a perceived “lack of trust” has caused him to promptly depart the Stade Vélodrome this summer to the surprise of many. The coach then released a statement following his exit.

“We reached an agreement to extend the contract for 2016-17, and I have since been thinking everything was cleared up. But last Wednesday, I was called in to meet with the CEO (Perez) and attorney Igor Levin (Louis-Dreyfus’ legal representative) and they informed me that they would like to adjust some points of the agreement we had previously reached,” he said.

“It was after this meeting that I’d reached my decision. I rejected important offers to continue at Marseille because I was very interested in this project, but today I cannot accept this unstable situation brought on by the move to change the terms of the contract. Working together demands a little bit of trust and now we do not have that.”

Bielsa has had a tough overhaul to see to, with Marseilles having lost some key players in the last 12 months. Mathieu Valbuena, Lucas Mendes, Jordan Ayew and Morgan Amalfitano have been offloaded in Biela’s first campaign at the club, while Giannelli Imbula, Dimitri Payet, André Ayew, André-Pierre Gignac and Rod Fanni left the side this summer.

The 60-year-old head coach was appointed at L’OM in the summer of 2014, leading the side to 4th in his debut season. However, the French club will be looking for a new manager after losing Bielsa, and took a parting shot at their ex-coach for the manner of exit.

“The board of Olympique de Marseille did everything, but under no circumstances can OM be held prisoner to the demands of someone who places their personal interests well above those of the institution. Marseille is imbued with unique values and possesses a sufficiently rich history to refuse to subject itself to the law of a single man.”

It’s a sad way for the two parties to end association, and there doesn’t look to be any reprieve for Marcelo Bielsa at Olympique de Marseilles.

Will Everton’s injury-crisis see them endure stuttering start to the new Premier League season?

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Everton manager Roberto Martinez has seen preparations for the new season ruined with a spiralling injury list this summer that could well hamper the side’s chances of starting the 2014/15 strongly. Left-back Leighton Baines was the most recent to be added to the long list of names, and the Toffees’ boss admitted the current situation is a “disaster”.

“We don’t know how long (Baines) will be out for, but it has been a real disaster. It was devastating, because he had worked so hard and looked stronger than ever. I don’t think I had seen him looking as powerful and refreshed in the last two seasons. Then there was this big knock.”

“We still have to find out how long it will be, but it is not going to be just two or three weeks – I think it is going to be a little bit longer than that. We don’t know (if he‘ll need surgery). The surgery was to reinforce that ligament in his ankle and we still need to see the real extent of the damage. After the inflammation, we will find out.”

The Toffees struggled last season due to Europa League football being an unwelcome distraction, but turned things around at the tail-end of the term. The Merseysiders still finished the season outside of the top-10, and as a result are desperate to atone for their past failings in 2015/16.

However, the high amount of players on the treatment table is sure to hamper their start to the campaign, with the Blues not having a large squad to begin with. Everton hardly spent money in the summer, and the decision not to bring in more new faces has backfired.

Leighton Baines (ankle), Tony Hibbert (knee), Darron Gibson (foot), Aiden McGeady (hamstring), Steven Pienaar (hamstring) Muhamed Bešić (hamstring), Gerard Deulofeu (hamstring) and Kevin Mirallas (ankle) have all been struck with injury in the build-up to the new season, leaving the side thin on viable replacements.

Matters aren’t helped with Everton having a very difficult start to the Premier League campaign, with seven of their first ten games being against sides who finished in the top-seven of the division in 2014/15 – Southampton (away), Manchester City (home), Tottenham (away), Chelsea (home), Liverpool (home), Manchester United (home), Arsenal (away).

Last season, Everton dropped points in six of their opening seven league games. There’s a real possibility history could be repeating itself with the games they have to come with a depleted starting eleven. Martinez could find himself under pressure if the Blues are languishing in the lower reaches of the table, so the club have a crucial few weeks to come regarding his long-term future.

So, will Everton’s injury-crisis see them endure stuttering start to the new Premier League season?

Is Raphael Varane the answer for Real Madrid’s defensive woes?

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New Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has had difficult decisions to make regarding existing personnel in the side since his summer arrival, and one key area was the defence. Real have the likes of Pepe and Raphael Varane competiting for a spot alongside Sergio Ramos at the heart of the backline ahead of the new season, with the duo having shared games over the last few years.

But with the French international improving year after year, now he’s of the age where he feels he should be commanding a starting place in the side. Varane even appears willing to find a new club willing to give him regular first-team football if Real Madrid don’t make him a regular for the new season, according to various reports, and Benitez appears set to grant his wish.

The 22-year-old is a pacey defender who reads the game very well, and could be a long-serving player if given the chance to form a partnership with Ramos. He’s rarely caught out of position, and times his challenges brilliantly to avoid giving away fouls in dangerous areas. Due to his brilliant athleticism, the defender is a hard opponent to get past, and it perhaps speaks volumes about his ability that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho continues to be linked with his services, as well as a host of other top European clubs.

Varane made 21 starts in the Spanish La Liga last season, boasting an 89% pass completion, as well as winning 70% of his aerial duels over the course of the campaign. He averaged a tackle or interception every 24 minutes in each league game, and epitomises the strong, athletic and powerful ethos Real have come to abide by when recruiting their central defenders.

He’s highly rated at club and country level, and has a host of suitors willing to meet his demands to continue his development. Rafael Benitez certainly won’t want to lose him, and has been utilising him a lot in pre-season, which suggests the Frenchman still has a big role to play for the Spanish giants. Defensive lapses have cost Real in the league in the past, and Varane’s record of conceding just 12 fouls in 27 games suggests he could be the assured and calming influence to shore up the backline.

Real Madrid’s first league game of the new season is away to minnows Gijon on Sunday 23rd August. Los Blancos are big favourites to win, but the question remains who Benitez will plump for alongside Ramos in the defence.

Has Jose Mourinho bitten off more than he can chew with Radamel Falcao?

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Chelsea signed AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao on a season-long to be their third attacking option behind Diego Costa and Loic Remy, but it’s a big risk given how much the Colombian struggled for Manchester United last season, and manager Jose Mourinho could well have bitten off more than he can chew.

The 29-year-old was once regarded as the best natural striker in the world following his incredible knack of scoring in cup finals, and finding the back of the net with outrageous efforts in big games. However, things went sour after a lengthy injury, and he doesn’t seem to be the same player he was prior to the long layout.

He admitted this summer how tough he found the Premier League, saying: “It’s a lot more physical here than anywhere else in Europe. It demands 100 per cent of your ability and focus because it is very competitive, very physical and tactical too. The football philosophy is a little different here in that there is less time (to make decisions).”

Falcao spent last season on loan with Manchester United, scoring just four goals in 29 games. Little has changed since making the switch to Stamford Bridge too, with his form having been poor in a Chelsea shirt too. Falcao has been singled out for fatigued showings in their last two pre-season friendlies, and there’s no reason to believe Mourinho can turn him around.

Mourinho and club captain John Terry have been talking the former Atletico Madrid striker up this summer, looking to tap into the mental frailties of the forwards, but they may need to work a lot harder to turn around Falcao’s fledgling career. Terry said of the striker: “His movement is unbelievable. I have seen him first hand in training on a daily basis and his finishing is unbelievable. I think if he gets a run in the side he can reproduce his form of the past.”

The Chelsea manager has been typically positive of Falcao despite the striker clearly struggling in pre-season, saying: “He’s very good for the situation. He’s played in the (Copa America), been on holiday and has had only one week of training – not the three weeks that the others have had. I am happy with the evolution. Very happy to be fair.”

It’s clear Chelsea are going to put the proverbial arm around the player to build up his confidence, but will it work? Has Mourinho undertaken a bigger gamble than he can fix?

Olympique Lyonnais to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the French Ligue 1 title

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French Ligue 1 runners-up Olympique Lyonnais have recently strengthened the side with the signing of Manchester United’s Rafael this summer. The Brazilian defender will compete with Christophe Jallet and Mehdi Aeffane for a starting place in the side next season, but could he be getting his hands on some silverware in 2015/16?

Lyon ran Paris Saint-Germain close in the title-race last season, and importantly have retained their standout stars of the previous for another push this time round. Striker Alexandre Lacazette bagged 27 league goals in 33 games last season, and reaffirmed his desire to stay at the Stade de Gerland for the following year and more. He was linked with every top side in Europe following his outstanding scoring record in France, but remains loyal.

Attacking-midfielder Nabil Fekir scored and created 22 goals in the division, and is also sticking around to fight for the title. “I have to back up what I have done. I have to do everything I can to continue progressing. There is also the Champions League. I want to give back to OL what the club has given me,” he said.

The French club have a side good enough to challenge Paris Saint-Germain, and their impressive form for the majority of the last campaign proved they can stand up to Laurent Blanc’s side. With Lyon able to retain their best players despite interest from top European sides shows just how much confidence the players have in the club.

Olympique Lyonnais have real history in the league, dominating the top-flight between 2001-2008, winning seven consecutive titles under four different managers. PSG’s financial muscle has seen them as the top side in France over the last few years, but Lyon are making up the ground gradually. Their title rivals are ageing, and are expecting to lose some of their most influential players in the coming seasons, so it’s a matter of time before a shift in power.

Lyon have the best striker in the division in Lacazette, they have the best playmaker in Fekir, and they have a defence who helped to earn 16 clean sheets last season. Manager Hubert Fournier is worried about pre-season preparations, however, suggesting certain individuals are showing the wrong attitude. Nevertheless, the French giants have all the ingredients to be a side worthy of challenging PSG for the league title this campaign, but they need to finally prove their worth to bring back the glory days.

How far can they go?

Who is Chelsea-target Baba Rahman?

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Chelsea are reportedly close to signing Augsburg defender Baba Rahman, with manager Jose Mourinho looking to replace the departed Filipe Luis who re-joined Atletico Madrid, but who is the impending new arrival?

Despite not being too well-known outside of the German Bundesliga, Rahman is said to have been a long-term target of the Blues manager, and could be given the club’s blessing to leave after Augsburg signed a replacement in 21-year-old left-back Philipp Max.

The player’s agent, Sascha Empacher, confirmed that the player has already agreed terms with Chelsea, saying to Bild: “It is only the clubs that have to find an agreement. We on our side are agreed.”

Rahman, 21,  only joined the Bundesliga outfit from Greuther Fürth last summer, and made 31 league appearances as Augsburg finished in a lofty 5th place. Like Luis, the Ghanaian defender is very combative, making over 100 tackles and more than 80 interceptions in the division.

Ever since news broke that Filipe Luis was a target for his former side, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admitted the Blues were short on cover. The 21-year-old is coming off the back of his best season at senior level, and has been linked to the likes of Manchester  City & Arsenal in the past.

Chelsea’s first-choice left-back for the new season will be Cesar Azpilicueta, but the Spanish international may not be guaranteed a starting place early into the new campaign if his form doesn’t improve. He was brought off in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, and knows Mourinho is testing his mental strength.

Various sources are reporting a £17M figure for the defender, which sees the Blues are continuing their theme of recruiting young players to try and limit the effects of a transition period to come. Full name Abdul Rahman Baba, the Ghana left-back signed for Augsburg for less than £2M last year, and is now set to make a massive profit.

Rahman has quickly risen through the rankings, and could be in for an impressive debut season if he can correctly apply himself. Injury to Azpilicueta would also see the young left-back in the starting eleven for a period, but the potential new-boy is unproven over the long term.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has previously claimed he wasn’t going to do any more business in the summer transfer market, but bolstering the defence has been paramount given their lack of strength in depth. Everton’s young defender John Stones is another Blues target, with the Londoners hoping for like-for-like replacements of their existing players in the backline.

So could Baba Rahman forge a successful career at Stamford Bridge?

Frank de Boer in the final year of his Ajax tenure?

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Ajax suffered a shock exit in the third qualifying round of the Champions League this week, that could well be the final straw for manager Ronald De Boer. The successful coach has long been considering moving to greener pastures, and has grown discontented with his side being ravaged by clubs with more financial muscle every summer.

The Dutch Eredivisie giants came unstuck in the Champions League qualifiers to Rapid Vienna, and haven’t done too well in the prestigious competition in recent years. Ajax were knocked out of the group stages last season with only one win to their name in Europe. It‘s perhaps worth noting the former domestic champions haven‘t made it past the group stages of the Champions League since 2005/06, but losing in the qualifiers is a new low.

Ajax drew the first leg away in Austria 2-2, but were beaten 3-2 in their own backyard on Tuesday night to suffer eliminated. For a side of their standing, boasting success in the competition in the past, it’s a humiliating way to be knocked out of the Champions League, and could be the final nail in the coffin for the manager. De Boer has spent five years with Ajax, but finally relinquished the title to rivals PSV Eindhoven, and has lost key players from the squad once more.

It’s becoming harder and harder for the Dutch side to endure such losses, and given the previous interest in De Boer, it’s hard to see him staying past the coming season. The 45-year-old came close to an exit last summer, admitting that Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool both approached his services. He opted to remain with Ajax to push for the 2014/15 title, but saw his men fall short due to the high-profile exits of key players.

The likes of Daley Blind (£12M to Manchester United) and Siem de Jong (£6M to Newcastle United) followed the 2013/14 departures of Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) and Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), which sees Ajax struggling to keep up in the Eredivisie now. They finished 17 points behind PSV Eindhoven last season, so they have a mountain to climb to get their title back.

Another season of struggles for Ajax will surely see De Boer parting company, just as Jurgen Klopp did with Borussia Dortmund this summer. And like his German counterpart, he’s expected to be inundated with interest from a host of sides around the world. Will this be Frank De Boer’s last season at Ajax?

Valencia the team to watch in La Liga next season

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Valencia are back. The Spanish side are set to play in the Champions League next season, and enjoyed their highest finish in the table since 2012. Los Che have also retained their best players this summer, and have greatly strengthened their squad to contend with potential injuries. As a result, there’s every reason to believe they could break the stronghold of Real Madrid & Barcelona in the title race.

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo, 41, delivered Champions League football in his first season at the Mestalla, ending a three-year wait to return to the prestigious European tournament. Valencia finished 4th in the Spanish La Liga, just one point behind Atletico Madrid in 3rd, and endured the second-least amount of league defeats.

The Spaniards are making waves in the top flight, and boast a strong squad of players that have attributed to such good form in the last 12 months. Coveted defender Nicolas Otamendi has expertly marshalled the backline for Valencia, while the likes of Shkodran Mustafi has worked wonders in a defensive partnership.

In attack, they have the impressive Paco Alcacer who had been in fantastic form last season, scoring 11 goals in 26 league starts. He had to carry the scoring burden for Valencia at times, but shouldered the responsibility well. Valencia will need more goals from him and the likes of Alvaro Negredo if they are to continue going forward, and they need to ensure players aren’t sold too.

Santo has admitted this summer that every player in the squad has a price, but Valencia can convince their star players to stick around by enjoying a strong start in the coming season. Los Che’s pre-season form has given a slim indicator to suggest they have enough to warn off interest from suitors, but they would need to back up their objectives by delivering on the pitch.

(11/7/15) Southampton 0 : 1    Valencia
(11/7/15) Valencia 0 : 0* Werder Bremen
(18/7/15) Bayern Munich 4 : 1 Valencia
(25/7/15) PSV Eindhoven 0 : 1 Valencia
(1/8/15) FC Porto *0 : 0 Valencia

“Valencia (have) an ambition to grow, a desire to win, it is incredible. That’s what I found and what I also hope to bring from myself. Next year they will know each other, with routines will be more simple to introduce. I think we could (challenge Barcelona). It’s not always about money in football, that’s why I love the game, we can win, and we have this idea we can win all of their matches. I’m not afraid,” said Santo back in March.

Valencia’s pre-season has been impressive as it has been lengthy, with the La Liga giants coming up against a lot of difficult opposition this summer. However, their good form coupled with a growing belief is sure to hold them in good stead. Top European football returning to the Mestalla Stadium will be a massive boost too, so Valencia could be the club to watch in La Liga this season.