Juan Mata a Clear Need for Wenger but Chelsea May Beat Him to the Punch

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

(Bleacher Report)Juan Mata was originally a Liverpool target as the Reds had been tracking him since January. However, his performance in Spain's U21 European Championships was a stock raising moment if there has been one.

With the Reds most likely out of the running as the player was destined to want Champions League football, Liverpool turned their full attentions to the signature of Stewart Downing whom they signed in the early part of July.

Arsenal brought in Gervinho from Lille and the Ivory Coast international has shown he will be most likely be quality. However, with the departure of Cesc Fabregas and the impending departure of Samir Nasri, Arsene Wenger is in desperate need of additional midfield players with experience and top class skill.

Mata has all of that in a 23-year old package. The Valencia winger has been in the first team of a top four Spanish club since breaking into the squad in 2007-08. In his four seasons in La Liga has has 174 total appearances with 46 goals and 43 assists. The Gunners could use both of those stats in their line-up.

However, recent rumors show that Wenger needs to lock in a deal now as Chelsea are strongly linked with the media plastering a possible €27 million move on all corners of the market.

Wenger needs another midfielder of this quality but he may have left it all a little to late to capture the Spanish youngster.

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A Liverpool Spanish Armada

Article first published as A Liverpool Spanish Armada on Technorati.
The Reds Look Once again at Spanish Aces after Departure of Spanish International Torres


by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
February 9, 2011

The Departure of Fernando Torres to Chelsea saw Liverpool fans revolt at the Spanish National. After this weekends defeat of his new team upon his debut they aren't quite to upset. The arrivals of both Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, whom scored on his Anfield debut, have given the Reds faithful much hope.

Now that the current situation has been decided for the time being, Liverpool look to continue their youth and talent influx with the possible addition of two new Spanish shot takers to replace their formerly beloved Torres.

Cazorla to Replace Maxi

26-year old Villareal attacker Santiago Cazorla is believed to be a prime candidate for Liverpool addition in the summer. With David Ngog at the right age for a loan move to secure first team action the next two season possibly, much like Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge, having Cazorla to call upon behind Carroll and Suarez would be a welcomed addition.

Cazorla is also a skilled wide player, and his arrival could mark the departure of Maxi Rodriguez whom has just not been up to Liverpool caliber since his arrival. Having missed a sitter at the Bridge on Sunday, he did not do anything to endear himself to his new owners, as his strike could have truly put a stamp on the match early on for the Reds.

Spanish Starlet Alcacer

Liverpool most likely will be fighting with Arsenal for the services of Cazorla as the Gunners look to find another attacker in the wide areas as Andrei Arshavin may possibly be on the move this summer after stating his disenchantment with the club.

With the mind of keeping the academy rolling, and the talent flowing up into the first team, another young Spanish striker is on the Reds wish list for the summer. 17-year old Valencia starlet Francisco Alcacer is being scouted by the scousers.

The young Spaniard has 14 goals for Valencia B in 34 appearances, and has scored 17 international goals between 18 appearances from the U-16's, U-17's, and U-18's of Spain. He made is first team debut in a 4-1 victory for Los Che against Deportivo Logrones in Spain's Copa Del Rey

UEFA Champions League Draw

Bayern vs. Inter, Spurs vs. Milan, Barca vs. Arsenal, What an Interesting Round this shall be.

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December 17, 2010
 
The Knock Out Stage of the 2010-2011 UEFA Champions League Draw is over and the results are in. The most startling match up to come out of the draw hands down goes to defending Champions Inter Milan, under new boss Rafael Benitez, whom will face Bayern Munich in a rematch of last year’s final. The Italians will look to fend off Bastian Schweinsteiger and company as the Germany giants surely will be out for blood after last year’s scintillating final.

Another match up that will have all eyes watching is Pep Guardiola's Balugrana of Barcelona vs. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. What looks to be a tie of epic proportions should the two side truly have a go at one another, which I cannot see Not happening, will most likely produce some of the fanciest footwork and passing artistry of the round. Cesc Fabregas, possibly the most coveted player by Barcelona, and his midfield partner Samir Nasri will be plying their trade against arguable the world’s best midfield duo in Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. The back-line of Arsenal is what I most likely foresee as the undoing of the London club and I expect Barca to send the Gunners packing.

The Special One's, Jose Mourinho's, Los Blancos of Real Madrid will take on Olympique Lyonnais of France. Although not league champions in several years the French Giants will be looking to upset the European Legends. Karem Benzema has finally started to stake a claim to his spot on the Real front line, and he will no doubt relish the reunion with his old club. The Spanish Giants look to continue their strong run of form and advance on to the next round.

Tottenham Hotspur were a revelation in the group stage with Gareth Bale helping to propel the Lily Whites forward. The London club may be new to the Champions League as of late but they made a statement early on with their dominance over Inter Milan and a Group A winning start to their UCL campaign. Harry Redknapp will be looking to continue the progress of his club and a victory over the Rossoneri in a two-legged tie would do even more to stamp Tottenham's ticket for success. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and company will be searching for a renewed vigor after a mediocre group showing that only produced at the height a draw against Real Madrid thanks to a now injured Filippo Inzaghi. It will be an interesting tie to say the least.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United take on French side Olympique Marseilles. Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola feared the French club for their ability to be physically dominant. However, I have never seen Sir Alex Ferguson to fear anyone or anything, and I fully expect the wiring ole Scot to take the fight to the boys from the Mediterranean coast. It will be a hard fought battle but I look to see the Red Devils in the next draw.

Chelsea take on FC Kobenhaven from Denmark. The Danish side is through to the Round of 16 in their clubs second time in the Champions League. Their first foray into Europe was the UCL in the 2006-2007 season where they did not get past the group stages. With what was deservedly a winning performance, resulting in only a draw, against Barcelona at home in the group stages, the Danes hope to garner some confidence, and the poor run of domestic form of the Blues lately may just give the Lions the little they need to pull off an upset.

The Final two match-ups seem to be the least popular but could turn out to be two of the more highly competitive ties. AS Roma will try to continue their march by taking a bite out of Ukrainian Champions FC Shakhtar Donetsk. If the Wolves can get an edge on the away leg they should be able to hold of the Ukrainians at the Olimpico. Ranieri will have to buckle down and pull his squad together because they are in desperate need of some more results as a struggling league campaign is turning around as they find themselves only four points away from second place in a tightly packed group at the top of the Serie A table.

Germany's FC Shalke 04 has been falling to shambles in the league but have been dominant in the Champions League topping Group B with only one loss. Making the trip to the Veltins Arena will be Spain’s Valencia. Despite the loss of both David Villa and David Silva Los Che have their stride at the perfect time as they are dancing around the UCL spots of La Liga in fifth place, and are in the last 16 of the Champions League with the other Spanish giants. The Shalke strike duo of former Real Madrid front men Raul Gonzalez and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will look to use their knowledge of Valencia from the past in order to strengthen their clubs chances of advancement.

With the stage set for the next round it looks to be as exciting a knockout stage as ever. Their will be chants of glory, chants of rage, and tears of agony as the UEFA Champions League is now ready to return to action February 15, 2011.