All posts by n8rngtd.top

Mohamed Salah has become the joint-second highest paid player in the Premier League after he signed a two-year contract extension at Liverpool.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Salah commits to two-year extension
• Raises his wage by £50,000 per week
• Second-highest paid player with De Bruyne

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Egyptian hero put an end to fears he would leave the Reds in a free transfer in the summer when he finally put pen to paper on a new deal that was announced on Friday.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Premier League's top scorer has accepted a significant increase to his weekly wage, taking it up to £400,000 from £350,000, reports. That puts him on the same pay as Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne, with the pair still behind highest-paid star Erling Haaland, who is on £500,000 per week.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Salah, 32, is exoected to win the Golden Boot again this season as he sits top of the Premier League goal chart with 27 goals – six more than nearest challenger Haaland. He is also the current assist king of the top-flight with 17 – seven more than Bukayi Saka, Antonee Robinson and Mikkel Damsgaard.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR SALAH?

  Salah and his Liverpool co-stars are aiming to preserve their 11-point lead at the top of the league when they host West Ham on Sunday.

Celtic are soaring this season. Although they recently suffered a humbling defeat in the recent Old Firm derby, they remain comfortably ahead in the race for the Scottish Premiership title.

The Hoops have also added to their trophy cabinet with a League Cup victory and are going strong in the Champions League, losing just one of their six league phase matches and securing memorable wins against RB Leipzig and Slovan Bratislava, leaving them in a play-off place.

Despite there appearing to be no immediate need for Brendan Rodgers to strengthen his team heading into the second half of the season, Celtic are reportedly interested in a number of players.

The 12 most expensive signings in Scottish Premiership history

We have taken a look at the biggest transfers in the history of the Scottish top flight, so expect Celtic and Rangers to dominate.

2

By
Ross Kilvington

Dec 31, 2024

Among those to be linked with a move to Parkhead are Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen, Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka, and Ajax starlet Benjamin Tahirovic.

Kieran Tierney has also been tipped to make a sensational return to his boyhood club, five years after he left to join Arsenal.

As is generally always the case at any football club, arrivals mean there will inevitably be outgoings. Here, we have together a list of players who could realistically leave Celtic this month to make way for potential new additions.

1

Luis Palma

Linked to: Olympiacos

Luis Palma arrived at Celtic Park in August 2023 for a fee of £3.5 million and enjoyed a solid first season with the Hoops, scoring six goals and providing nine assists in 24 games in the Scottish Premiership.

However, the Honduran winger has found minutes hard to come by this season, starting just once in the top flight.

According to La Prensa, per Sport Witness, Palma could seal a move away from Scotland in January, with Greek side Olympiacos and two unnamed MLS sides understood to be interested in his services.

Palma’s father, Enrique, also recently opened the door to a potential move away from Celtic for his son, telling Diario Diez in October: “He will be at Celtic right now and focus on the rest of the year and maybe there will be a sale, but what happens to him will depend on his work.”

2

Odin Thiago Holm

Linked to: LAFC

Palma isn’t the only Celtic star being linked with a move to MLS.

According to Daily Mail reporter Stephen McGowan, Los Angeles FC are close to securing a loan deal for midfielder Odin Thiago Holm, who has played just 24 minutes of football for Rodgers’ side this season.

McGowan claims that LAFC initially wanted to sign Palma, but after they were unable to secure a deal, they were offered Holm instead. Having recently lost two loanee midfielders, they decided to accept.

The MLS’s transfer window is open for a lot longer than European leagues, with clubs often having until late April to do business.

3

Daniel Cummings

Linked to: Bologna, Club Brugge, RB Salzburg

Striker Daniel Cummings is one of Celtic’s most promising young talents.

Cummings, 18, has scored 24 goals in 24 games for Celtic B this season, including 18 in 17 Lowland League appearances – a figure that makes him the division’s top scorer. Earlier this year, The Young Team, which scouts Scotland’s next top stars, described Cummings as “too good for the Lowland League” and praised him for his “great runs” and “spectacular strikes”.

However, according to Scottish journalist Anthony Joseph, the Hoops could soon lose him, with a report in December stating that Bologna, Club Brugge and RB Salzburg all sent officials to watch the striker in action in recent weeks ahead of a potential move.

Joseph reported that a number of English Premier League clubs are also monitoring the teenager, whose contract at Celtic runs out at the end of the season.

4

Stephen Welsh

Linked to: KV Mechelen

Defender Stephen Welsh has struggled for regular game time at Celtic this season, managing just one start in both the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish League Cup – and it appears Rodgers is now ready to let him go.

According to a recent report by the Daily Record, Welsh, who is contracted with Celtic until the summer of 2027, is being chased by Belgian side KV Mechelen, who have already tabled a couple of offers.

The Hoops are now “ready” to sanction a loan move so that the 24-year-old can play regular football, claims the publication.

Whether Welsh wants to go to Belgium remains to be seen. Upon signing a new deal with Celtic in 2023, the defender, who came through the club’s academy, said that he wants to be at Parkhead for “another four years at least hopefully”.

5

Alexandro Bernabei

Linked to: Internacional

Alexandro Bernabei never managed to cement himself at Celtic following his £3.75 million move from Argentinian side Lanus in 2022, but has impressed since moving to Internacional on loan in March 2024.

Since the move, the 24-year-old has made 25 appearances in Brazil, scoring three goals and producing five assists.

Internacional president Alessandro Barcellos recently confirmed in the past few weeks that negotiations are now taking place to make Bernabei’s move permanent, with Globo Esporte reporting previously that Celtic have even lowered their asking price for him from £8 million to £4.1 million to facilitate one.

However, the Hoops will apparently instead ask for a percentage of any future sale, claims Globo Esporte.

Bernabei himself is loving life with Inter, and recently said he hopes his good form for the club can see him called up to Argentina’s national team for the first time in the near future.

“We are an incredible team – World Cup holders and Copa America champions – so of course I know it will be incredibly difficult for me to be called up for the squad,” he said. “But nobody tells me that I can’t aim for that. I certainly hope with my recent form that it will be my turn soon.”

He added: “Here in Brazil I am playing every three days or so and that’s a real challenge and it is very demanding. But I am very happy with my form.”

Chelsea have now held talks over a deal to sign an “unbelievable” young attacking player, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Blues set for a busy January

There could be several incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge this month, with the Blues set for yet another busy transfer window under Todd Boehly. Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi is a major target for Enzo Maresca, with the manager keen to strengthen his backline, while 18-year-old Ajax defender Jorrel Hato is also of interest.

Versatile Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu is in the west Londoners’ sights amid Renato Veiga’s uncertain future, with the door now open for the Portuguese defender to leave permanently this month, and he has now agreed terms with Borussia Dortmund.

With Christopher Nkunku’s future in major doubt, Maresca may also be tasked with strengthening in forward areas this winter, and the manager has a number of options in mind.

Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens is one of the players on the shortlist, while Chelsea are also plotting a move for Sporting CP’s Conrad Harder, who has been dubbed “the new Gyokeres”.

Talks opened as £38m Chelsea "leader" could now leave with Nkunku and Veiga

A plethora of exits are taking shape at Stamford Bridge.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jan 14, 2025

The Blues have several attackers under consideration, and they have now taken their first concrete steps towards getting a deal done, with Fabrizio Romano reporting they have held talks with Bayern Munich over a deal for Mathys Tel.

The Premier League side are now in the early stages of contact with Bayern, having requested to be informed about Tel’s situation at the Allianz Arena. The winger recently spoke to manager Vincent Kompany to confirm he wants to succeed with the German club, but it remains to be seen whether his head is turned amid interest from Chelsea.

Tel could go on to be a top player

The Frenchman has struggled for game time with Bayern for the majority of the current campaign, but he has proven himself when given the opportunity in the past, recording seven goals and five assists in 30 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Those are impressive numbers, considering the starlet is still only 19-years-old, and Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg clearly rates him very highly, having lauded him as “unbelievable” back in March last year.

With Nkunku potentially on the move, Chelsea may need to bring in a versatile forward this winter, and the Bayern ace fits the bill in that regard, having featured on both wings and at centre-forward throughout his career so far.

However, the £81k-per-week teenager has been most prolific at left-wing, indicating he may be best suited to pushing Jadon Sancho for a starting spot in that area of the pitch.

While it is still very early days, it is clear that Chelsea have a concrete interest in Tel, and he could be an exciting signing if they are able to orchestrate a deal with Bayern Munich.

Former England assistant boss Steve Holland has been sacked by Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos after just four months in charge.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Holland leaves England post with Southgate
• Takes up manager role with Yokohama
• Sacked after just four months in charge

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Holland took charge of the J-League team in late December but he has been relieved of his duties after winning just one of his 11 league games, with Yokohama sitting second from bottom in the division.

Advertisement

• J.LEAGUE
  

  WHAT YOKOHAMA SAID

  The club said: "Yokohama F. Marinos announce today that the club have decided to part ways with Steve Holland, who was appointed manager in the beginning of the 2025 season. To fill the void, head coach Patrick Kisnorbo will serve as an interim manager for the time being."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Holland spent eight years as assistant manager to ex-England boss Southgate, before leaving his post last summer after the Three Lions' Euro 2024 final loss to Spain. This was only his second managerial post, after leading Crewe Alexandra in 2007-08, and it clearly has not gone well.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Holland, 54, may look for a quick return to management after this setback, with many wondering if Southgate will be back in a dugout soon.

The last few years have been rather dire for Tottenham Hotspur.

The North Londoners have seen the likes of Nuno Espírito Santo and Antonio Conte fail in the dugout, and now, despite being a breath of fresh air at the start of last season, it looks like Ange Postecoglou might just be going down the same road.

On top of this, they’ve had to watch bitter rivals Arsenal edge closer and closer to winning major silverware for the first time in a long time, and while it appears that their chances are slim this season, that’s in large part down to the unfortunate injury of star player Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End star has become the poster boy of the Gunners’ recent resurgence, and while the Lilywhites obviously can’t bring him over to N17, they could be set to sign another Premier League youngster who has won comparisons to the England international, at least based on recent reports.

Tottenham target Premier League prospect

According to a recent update from Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Tottenham are, alongside “half of Europe,” intently interested in Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.

Plettenberg goes a step further, revealing that the Lilywhites and several other clubs from the Premier League are “heavily involved in the race” to secure his signature.

However, the incredible amount of competition isn’t the only obstacle Spurs will have to deal with, as reports from earlier this month claimed that the Saints could hold out for up to £30m.

In all, it could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given his ability and sky-high potential, one well worth fighting for, especially as he’s already won comparisons to Saka.

How Dibling compares to Saka and why Spurs should sign him

So, before we look at some of the other reasons why Spurs should be looking to sign Dibling this year, let’s examine this comparison to Saka and where it has come from.

Well, it primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in the Premier League this season, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, has concluded that the Arsenal star is the sixth most similar midfielder to the Saints ace.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals, goals per shot and shot on target, successful take-ons, ball recoveries and more, all per 90.

However, away from the statistical similarities, there is also the fact that both players are responsible for much of their respective teams’ attacking output, and while they can play in a few positions, they truly excel off the right.

Away from the similarities to the Gunners’ star, one of the other primary reasons Daniel Levy and Co should look to sign the 20-year-old “game-breaker,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is their current squad building.

It’s clear that the North Londoners are building for the future with signings like Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, so adding an incredibly exciting young winger who’s already racked up an impressive tally of six goal involvements this term makes sense.

Ultimately, Dibling might not reach the same world-class level Saka has in North London, but there are undeniable similarities, and he looks set for a bright future at the top level, so Spurs should do what they can to ensure he has it in N17.

Blockbuster move: Spurs target £40m PL star who can fix their Solanke issue

The sensational talent could develop into something special at Spurs.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 21, 2025

Cole Palmer was compared to Steven Gerrard as Jamie Carragher suggested the Chelsea star is "frustrated" by a lack of quality around him.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Palmer has seen a dip in form this season
• Carragher still believes in the potential of Blues star
• Urged Liverpool to sign Chelsea star instead of Isak

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite a stellar start to life in London, Palmer’s form has taken a nosedive, with the attacker now enduring a goal drought stretching over 17 matches. This slump is his most testing spell since completing a £42.5 million ($53.8m) move from Manchester City in 2023.

Advertisement

• Imago
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, Carragher is not willing to put the blame on Palmer alone. Instead, he pointed to a specific moment during Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Brighton in February as a worrying sign for those running the club as he observed Palmer's body language exuded a sense of mounting dissatisfaction.

• WHAT CARRAGHER SAID

  In his coulmn for Carragher wrote: "There was a moment during Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion in February which must have set off alarm bells in the Stamford Bridge boardroom. Palmer’s demeanour was one of frustration. It reminded me of Steven Gerrard during the more difficult periods at Liverpool, where he was looking around the pitch and realising team-mates were not at the required level."

  Carragher recalled how Gerrard once questioned whether Liverpool’s ambitions matched his own, which nearly led to a blockbuster move to Chelsea between 2003 and 2005. Though the transfer never materialised, it wasn't for lack of trying on Chelsea’s part. According to Carragher, Gerrard stayed because he still saw a path to success at Anfield – culminating in the famous Champions League triumph of 2005.

  "Gerrard started to ask himself if he was at the right club, prompting Chelsea to try to sign him in three successive summers between 2003-2005," he wrote. "On two occasions they were very close to doing the deal. How and why? Not because Liverpool were willing sellers. Not because Liverpool were under any financial pressure to offload any of their assets. Not because our captain and best player had a boyhood dream to move to London. And not because the club were unwilling to fight to keep their superstar.

  "The reason the transfer nearly happened was because world-class players can only tolerate mediocrity for so long. Careers are short, and those with ambition who feel their talent is unfulfilled cannot stand waiting. They are not interested in hearing about “long-term” projects. They make their judgment at the end of every season whether they need to move on. Fortunately for Liverpool, Gerrard inspired us to win the Champions League in 2005 and we were genuine contenders to win it for the next four years."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR PALMER?

  Palmer, now 22, signed a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge through 2033, a strategic decision by Chelsea to protect their investment and comply with Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). However, Carragher indicated that Liverpool should go after him this summer.

  "It has been suggested that Liverpool, who play at Stamford Bridge this weekend, should build for the title defence by breaking the bank for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. It surprises me that no one has argued that Palmer should be on the new champions’ radar," he said.

Tottenham Hotspur completed a loan move for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel on deadline day, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now dropped an update on the terms of the deal.

Dramatic late twist on deadline day

Despite initially making it clear he wasn’t interested in a move to Tottenham, amid interest from other Premier League clubs, Tel completed a late move to north London, and there have been suggestions Ange Postecoglou played a big role in his decision.

Daniel Levy had initially tried to convince the forward about the move, but Postecoglou ended up playing a fundamental part in getting the deal done, making a phone call to explain where he saw him fitting into his side.

Although Tottenham picked up a 2-0 victory over Brentford last time out, Ange’s job still remains under threat, and the manager will be hoping the signing of the Bayern Munich youngster can help turn his side’s season around.

Tottenham also held talks to sign "powerful" forward before Mathys Tel

Spurs are racing to confirm a deal for the Frenchman before 11pm.

By
Emilio Galantini

Feb 3, 2025

Initial reports had suggested the 19-year-old would be moving to N17 on a straight loan deal, with no option to buy, but there has now been a promising update on that front from Romano.

Taking to X, the transfer expert has confirmed there is a €60m (£50m) option to buy included in the loan deal, meaning the starlet could end up completing a permanent move at the end of the season if he impresses over the next few months.

Tel needs to make an instant impact

Initially rejecting a move to Tottenham, before having a late change of heart, isn’t exactly the best way to endear yourself to a new set of supporters, so the attacker will need to hit the ground running in north London.

Amid previous links to Arsenal, the France U21 was lauded for his finishing ability by scout Ben Mattinson, and Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has made it clear he is best suited to playing at striker.

Despite the victory over Brentford, Spurs are still languishing in 14th in the Premier League table, making it even more important Tel is firing on all cylinders in front of goal right from the off.

Given his age, the teenager’s first-team experience is limited, but he has 16 senior goals to his name with Bayern Munich, despite most often being deployed on the wing, and Postecoglou will be hoping his new signing can kick on between now and the end of the season.

Jordan Henderson's Ajax conceded a 99th-minute equaliser against Groningen to surrender their Eredivisie lead to rivals PSV with just one game to go.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Ajax held to a 2-2 draw by Groningen
• Now a point behind PSV in the Eredivisie
• Blew away nine-point lead before penultimate game

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ajax’s quest to reclaim Eredivisie glory suffered a major blow on Wednesday night as they let victory slip through their fingers deep into stoppage time. Leading FC Groningen 2-1 with seconds left on the clock, Ajax conceded a dramatic equaliser in the 99th minute – a devastating blow that saw them relinquish top spot in the Dutch league to rivals PSV Eindhoven with only one fixture left to play.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

  Despite being moments away from sealing a crucial win, a late free kick into the box was nodded home at the far post by Groningen, sparking wild celebrations from the home fans and despair for the visitors.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Just under a month ago, Ajax appeared firmly in control of their title destiny. On April 20, they travelled to face FC Utrecht with a commanding nine-point cushion at the top of the table. A victory on that day would have pushed their lead to 12 points, but what followed was a nightmare result. A shocking 4-0 defeat marked the beginning of Ajax’s collapse.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• TELL ME MORE

  While Ajax faltered in Groningen, PSV took full advantage of the slip. The Eindhoven side registered a comfortable 4-1 win over Heracles, collecting all three points to jump ahead of their Amsterdam rivals in the standings.

For the second time in three seasons, Newcastle United are Wembley-bound for the Carabao Cup final. Eddie Howe’s side put in a fantastic performance over the course of the two legs against Arsenal, with 2-0 wins in each game. The Magpies will face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the final, with the North Londoners having a narrow 1-0 advantage.

It was a fantastic night for the North Eastern outfit. Alexander Isak thought he had an early goal, but it was ruled out for offside. Nevertheless, it got St James’ Park rocking, and it wasn’t long before they could celebrate again, this time with a goal that counted.

Again, it was Isak who was involved, with his powerful shot hitting the post after a smart run in behind the defence. The rebound fell kindly to Jacob Murphy, with the right-winger finishing the chance from yards out.

The Magpies doubled their lead just seven minutes after the second half began. Anthony Gordon was the man who was able to take advantage of a poor mistake from Arsenal. The Gunners goalkeeper David Raya played Declan Rice into trouble with a poor pass, with the ball falling to Gordon who converted.

It was a fantastic performance from the Magpies, who played the two legs perfectly and have thus reached a deserved Wembley final. Gordon and Isak simply terrorised the Gunners’ defence.

Gordon and Isak’s stats vs. Arsenal

If you need a player to rise to the big occasion, Newcastle might have the best player for the job in the entire Premier League. That man is Gordon, who has 17 goals and assists in 19 games against the traditional big six since the start of last season.

He was phenomenal on Wednesday, aside from his goal. The winger played a huge part in the Magpies’ opener. His touch set Isak away and running into space, which, in turn, led to Murphy’s goal. As per Sofascore, Gordon created two chances and worked hard off the ball, winning seven duels.

As for Isak, he was a nightmare for Gabriel and William Saliba. He just sat on their shoulder all night, making runs in behind and constantly making a nuisance of himself. This worked a treat, given he had an early goal ruled out and in essence created the opener.

One person who was very impressed with the Swede’s performance against Arsenal was Jordan Cronin. The journalist for Newcastle World gave him an 8/10 for his efforts on Wednesday night, describing his performance as ‘deadly’.

There is no doubt that both Gordon and Isak were fantastic against the Gunners. However, someone who perhaps stood out more was Sandro Tonali.

Tonali’s performance vs. Arsenal

What a performance from Italian midfielder Tonali. He was excellent at St James’ Park, dominating the midfield, and really stepping up in Joelinton’s absence. The lack of the Brazilian’s presence in midfield was certainly not felt by the Magpies.

He was given an 8/10 rating from Cronin, just as Isak was. The journalist was full of praise for the Italian, explaining how he ‘used the ball well’ and noted Tonali ‘carried out his defensive duties’ on the night.

The former AC Milan star was fantastic against Rice in the centre of the park, who made a bit of a blunder for Gordon’s goal. Although Raya’s pass was not the best, SDS Podcast regular Abz Busquets explained that the Arsenal number 41 needed to put his “body in between ball and man” in that instance.

In fact, there are stats courtesy of Squawka that suggest Tonali has been outperforming Rice in the Premier League this season too.

For example, he has won more duels per game than the England international, with five compared to four, and averages more forward passes per game, with 14.3 compared to 12.5.

Tonali was fantastic on Wednesday, and certainly would not look out of place in the Gunners’ midfield – a unit that appears in desperate need of a new number six, amid links to Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi ahead of the summer window.

As for the Magpies, it must surely be a positive that they have a player in Tonali, plus the likes of Isak and Gordon, who can hit those kinds of levels when it matters most.

Newcastle lining up Isak succession plan in "unbelievable" £80k-p/w forward

Isak’s future remains in doubt, with the striker yet to sign a new contract.

By
Dominic Lund

Feb 5, 2025

Mic'd Up: The long time Barcelona and Liverpool attacking midfielder discussed Yamal, El Clasico, and the state of Real Madrid

Luis Garcia has played in a few big games over the years. From the 2005 Champions League final to a handful of Clasicos, the former Barcelona, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder knows what it means to step on the pitch when the stakes are high.

And this weekend, the games don't really get any bigger. Garcia's former club Barcelona are flying this year, and with a win in El Clasico Sunday, could put Real Madrid's title hopes to the sword while also, presumably, reclaiming the Spanish first division. It would be a monumental weekend for the Blaugrana.

But Garcia hasn't been surprised by their strong showing this year.

"I think that we could expect them to do well, because the team is there," he tells GOAL. "They had the talent last year, they did a good job, even though they didn't with La Liga. They did well in the Champions League and European competition. But you can see that there was something there."

Chief among the talent is soccer's rising star Lamine Yamal. The Lionel Messi comparisons have been frequent for the 17-year-old, who already looks like one of the best players in the world. Garcia is loath to buy into that exact rhetoric, but he thinks that the Spaniard has "no ceiling."

"We can continue praising him. I think he's fantastic. He's got a lot of room to improve, of course, but I think that we need to let it be and enjoy the ride," he says.

The other side of El Clasico isn't looking too kind. Madrid were supposed to win everything when they signed Kylian Mbappe last summer. The reality has been different, as Los Blancos have struggled for chemistry and structure all season. Sunday's game could be their last chance to win something this season. Garcia suspects their voodoo might be drying up.

"For Real Madrid," Garcia says, "it's been quite a few years and we haven't seen an idea or philosophy or something that you could say, 'OK, this is a Real Madrid team.' We have got used to this 'They're gonna come back because of the history or the background or the badge or whatever.' "

It's a massive match, and Garcia will be part of the coverage, offering his perspective as an analyst. The game kicks off at 10:15 a.m. ET across ESPN, ESPN+, in English and Spanish, and ESPN Deportes.

With the league surely to be decided in a massive fixture, Garcia discussed Barcelona, Real Madrid, Lamine Yamal and more in Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  ON BARCELONA

  GOAL: Have you been surprised by how good Barcelona have been this year?

  GARCIA: I think they surprised us all. I think that we could expect them to do well, because the team is there. They had the talent last year, they did a good job, even though they didn't with La Liga. They did well in the Champions League and European competition. But you can see that there was something there.

  Talents like Gavi, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, obviously, Alejandro Balde. You could say that right now, they are probably top stars in Europe, or rising stars. You could see that there was something. But I think they surprised us all, because they picked up very well what Hansi Flick has made them do, this new style of Barcelona. We all remember the Barcelona of the Tiki Taka, possession and trying to always be dominant in the game, but this is a new style.

  The possession is there, of course, the ball is always theirs, and they try to be dominant. But that intensity, the high line, I think that we were all not as confident as I think they were. They had a lull in the middle of the season, which was kind of understandable, because when you have that style and you have that shape, at some point you see the doubt. So a few injuries, players who are not involved or not getting it. But I think that right now they have dropped out from the European competition, but they are still fighting. And El Clasico is going to be the biggest moment of the season for them.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  ON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIFINALS

  GOAL: Was that Inter-Barcelona semifinal one of the best Champions League games ever? Maybe you played in a better one in the 2005 Champions League final.

  GARCIA: Definitely that was also special, I can tell you that! But at the end, depending how you feel and who you support, it's special. In the past few years, maybe we felt that at some points, quarterfinals, semi final, you arrived there with all expectations and waiting for the teams to go and score goals and make those crazy games. And we were a little bit disappointed, to be honest. And since the time of Real Madrid and City or Chelsea [in 2023], one of those special games with comebacks. I think they were also in this kind of way.

  But again, thinking that it was going to be a very attacking team against Inter Milan, Italian teams are always more defensive, Catenaccio and all that… We found two teams that were ready to be open and to be exposed and to see what happened. I'm sure that the managers are not very happy, it's not something that you always look for. But then for the people who enjoy football and then the supporters, I think it was fantastic. It was thrilling and exciting until the last minute. So that's what we expect from football.

  GOAL: I don't think a team has ever conceded six goals but also defended so well. Yann Sommer made some amazing saves, too, there were just so many big moments.

  GARCIA: We are talking about four of the best teams in the world. In front of you, it's not gonna be easy, that's for sure. We saw [on Wednesday] as well, with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. You know that at some point, you are going to be dominated and you are going to have your moments. And the one who makes less mistakes, I think is the one who is going to go on. Inter going to the Olympic Stadium and scoring three goals and not being favorites for the second leg is something weird. But yes, that's been exciting to watch and to follow.

• AFP
  

  ON LAMINE YAMAL

  GOAL: You must get asked some version of this question all the time, but how good is Lamine Yamal?

  GARCIA: He's good! He's definitely good. I think we've been praising him for a year, since he was introduced into the first team, and we were all cautious. Because people started comparing him with Lionel Messi. With players who have a similar style of play you start thinking, "We might have something special right here." And not because of these moments of most talented skills or dribbles or assists or goals, or passing with that outside left… not because of that, it's because at 17, managing everything that is around a game like El Classico or the European Championship final with the national team. To have the personality, the maturity to make the right decisions in those moments, it's something that is not easy. You're not gonna see it in many players.

  And then we can track back to players who have been fantastic. We had one with many similarities in Ansu Fati. Everybody started comparing him with Lionel Messi, he got the number 10 [jersey], then got an injury, and then struggled to get back into the first team. Now he's getting better, but it's still not easy when you play for Barcelona, to get minutes and you have to deliver in those minutes.

  So I think that Lamine, because of that maturity, is good right now. I think that there is no ceiling. That is, we can't compare it with any player that you might think of. Every single game he is giving us something else, something different. Oh well, now it's speed, now he's strong. Now he battles, now he fights, and now he tracks back, and now that skill, and now he's got the right foot. We can continue praising him. I think he's fantastic. He's got a lot of room to improve, of course, but I think that we need to let it be and enjoy the ride.

  GOAL: From that Inter game, they just started to kick him and foul him out of the game, and you're thinking 'This kid is 17!'

  GARCIA: You try to get him out of focus, try to rush him. But he responds by saying, "I'm gonna go against you. I'm gonna try to prove that I'm better than you." And he never lost it. He was always doing what he had to be done. And that's what I'm saying, that when you're in these decision-making moments, you have to make the right one for the team.

  I remember my first game. I was already 18 with Barcelona, and those 15-20 minutes I played, I was running around like crazy, like a headless chicken. I tackled three times, got three fouls. So when you start playing more and you get more experience, after two, three years, you start settling down and making better decisions, but that's when you're 23 or 24. We're talking about a kid that is 17, and he's already doing what he should be doing in five years. If he manages to keep that tranquility, that calmness when he's in the box, I don't know what we're gonna have when he's 25.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  ON REAL MADRID

  GOAL: Switching to the other side of El Clasico, Real Madrid have struggled this year by their standards, right? Can Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior play together?

  GARCIA: Yeah, I think so. We heard what [Carlo] Ancelotti was saying and mentioning about trying to change the shape, 4-4-2, more defensive, and then leave those two players. No one has pushed Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Jr to defend. Ancelotti tried, he couldn't make it happen. So at some point you have to decide, "I cannot make them track back." In the football of today, if one player is not running and chasing you're gonna be at a disadvantage.

  At some point, you're gonna realize that one player makes a lot of difference. You'll struggle, because your pressure is not good, because you're not tracking back, because they've got one more player in the middle of the park. If you finally decide, "OK, I understand that, so I have to make a shape or a structure strong enough to leave those two players up front." You know that they want to make the difference. The moment that those players have the ball, every single team in the world is going to be afraid of the run, of the space. The moment that they start facing you, they're unstoppable. There is no player in the world that can stop them when they face you.

  We've seen it so many times. What happened? Real Madrid arrived to a point where the buildup is not good, the structure is a little bit weak, a lot of injuries. Of course, that's not something that can help. But for Real Madrid, it's been quite a few years and we haven't seen an idea or philosophy or something that you could say, "OK, this is a Real Madrid team." We have got used to this "They're gonna come back because of the history or the background or the badge or whatever," but we got used to that. They're not playing well. But in the end, they will make it. Even saying that, they've been fighting for everything, and they still have a chance to win at the weekend. Anything can happen. It's Real Madrid, so that's the way it is.