Don't think that will happen for a while Darren. Obviously the first thing that needs to happen is a more even distribution of TV money. Honestly are Madrid and Bara too stupid to see how they will benedit from that in the long run!

How would it do you think?

Yeah it will take a while.

I don't know if it actually would benefit them. The reason I say that is that while competition from smaller teams is needed in the league being able to hand pick whoever you want from the league, and then loan out your players to be developed by them, is better for Madrid and Barca than having richer clubs in the league I think.

Bare in mind the effect it has on the development of young Spanish players as well. Barca and Madrid can just carry on as they are and keep winning and challenging in Europe.

I disagree with that. But I can see why they'd rather it was just them than the whole league that is top quality.

I am pretty sure a more competitive league will generate a lot more interest in the long run leading to even more sponsorship money and bigger TV deals for the league. The buying and loaning thing they can do that even in a competitive league I think.

Do both clubs not get more money through tv deals than English clubs though?

I doubt it'd make that much difference to them financially. The fact they make so much more than anyone makes up for the fact the sponsorships are lower.

They still could, yes, but how the league currently is is better for them in terms of player development, not just their own but for the whole league.

It's no surprise that the depth of Spanish talent has come at a time when the clubs are poor. All the clubs are focussing on it and are being almost forced into doing it to keep afloat.

Richer Spanish clubs would be good because they'll be able to keep hold of their talent for longer. However, with that, they'll likely be spending a lot more money on ready made talents from around Europe.

Just as they did before and just as the premier league is doing now.

It makes no sense for Barca and Madrid to change a league that caters to all of their needs. Hence why they haven't done it.

Good point.

Seems as if Lim takeover has gone through. Wonder if he'll just give Valencia players he part owns as a chance to showcase their talent and move them on? Either way it'll benefit Valencia and hopefully they can re-establish themselves as a club.

Phew, that was poor.

well you won..so dont complain too much punkerton

I won't, playing insipidly yet winning is the stuff of champions.

arsenal for the title

Hi everyone, back in Tenerife at last just in time for the new season.

Been a pretty exciting summer for me as I've been involved as a translator/interpreter in the Moreno transfer to Liverpool, great opportunity to get an inside view on transfer workings. Was fun too to compare what the media reported and the fan views here with what I knew was actually going on.

Gotta say L'pool are superbly organised and all the people I met at the club - from scouting staff to people in charge of facilitating things for the new signings, travel staff, legal people down to canteen staff who catered to our needs, the drivers who ferried us around - was really friendly, kind and helpful. Also attended the talks between the top brass in Madrid and got the chance to chat for a couple of hours over lunch with CEO Ian Ayre, fascinating bloke. Over in Liverpool spent a couple of days at Melwood, watched the guys train, was briefly introduced to BR and met a couple of the Spanish contingent - Suso and Manquillo - apart from Moreno of course.

Had a great time, exhausting but well worth it. Really hope they do well this season.

that sounds great, how did you get into that?

wow, nice

Eibar v Depor will be on Sky lol

Sheer coincidence. Turns out Moreno's agent is my sister in law's boyfriend and he doesn't speak English, so ever since PL clubs started asking after the player he asked me to give him a hand. Haven't taken part in everything and missed some of the key moments, such as when the player terms were unofficially agreed or when the clubs finally agreed terms in Cardiff just before the SuperCup, but saw enough to realise how these things really work from the inside.

One thing I can say is that there isn't a font size big enough for the LOL I'd like to type next time I hear someone complain about Madrid and Barça tapping up players.

That's pretty cool. Does he have many more high profile clients?

No, he's just got a few Sevilla kids and now I think Malaga youngsters, pretty much struck gold with Moreno but hopefully this success will raise his profile locally. Might need me again if any of the others attract PL interest, but it could take years or might never even happen again.

Or he might just dump my sister-in-law.

Just googled to have a look on transfermarkt about who the company represents. Alcacer, Hector herrera, Gago and the big one.. Jack Colback!

Haha! Nope, that's all bullshít. That's some guy from Cyprus or somewhere passing himself off as agent to a whole load of players in different countries but it's completely false. We wrote to transfermarkt just before my hols and they just asked us to submit details. Good you reminded me as we'll have to get back to them on that.

They certainly don't represent Alcacer either as I remember googling it and it was some local people in Valencia too.

Does this that IOAG is "in the know"?

Official ITK, eat your heart out Pinky.


Anyhoo, not just that, I'm also 46 years young today, so off for a nice lunch and a bit of beach to celebrate.

Cheerio!

You will be chugging wine with Jorge Mendes before you know it.

Happy birthday 🎂

That sounds so good, ioag.

Happy birthday!