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Club football is back on the horizon this weekend as La Liga returns to action.

Real Madrid will travel to Mallorca in hopes of retaining that top spot in the table and continuing their good run in the Spanish top-flight.

But if we know one thing about this Los Blancos’ squad, it’s the fact that they have been extremely unlucky with injuries this campaign.

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And if the latest update from Jose Luis Sanchez, a reporter from El Chiringuito TV, is anything to go by, Lucas Vazquez could be the latest victim to miss out on the weekend’s clash as well as next week’s Champions League game against Galatasaray.

Even though injury reports are hardly ever good news, many Real fans were simply loving this one.

It seems that Vazquez is not really a beloved figure among the Madridistas because loads of them started celebrating once they’d heard that he might miss the next clash.

They called it the best news all year and even though some said they do love him, they still thought this was for the best.

You can see some of the reactions down in the collection of tweets below:

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

Mauricio Pochettino’s experimentation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium continued on Saturday as Davinson Sanchez was drafted into the starting line-up, only to be hauled off at half-time.

It was a strange call for the Argentine to make given Sanchez was Spurs’ best performing defender at that point, with Toby Alderweireld losing Abdoulaye Doucoure for the goal an example of his lack of form.

A change was necessary in order for Spurs to show more attacking intent, and Son Heung-min breathed fresh life into the attack, but the 23-year-old had barely put a foot wrong on and off the ball, and deserved to remain on the pitch.

Jan Vertognhen, like his compatriot, is not playing well, and he easily could have given away a penalty in the first half, but referee Chris Kavanagh gave him the benefit of the doubt in a clash with Gerard Deulofeu.

As a result, Sanchez should feel aggrieved that he was the man to withdraw, and in many ways it indicates a lack of faith in the centre-back.

His stats from SofaScore underline his effectiveness on the ball, with the biggest standout the fact he conceded possession on just four occasions.

By contrast, Alderweireld and Vertonghen gave the ball away 26 and 14 times respectively, and although they played the full 90 minutes it shows they were much more careless, and therefore the wrong man came off.

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Such a move could knock Sanchez’s confidence, as Pochettino has undermined his ability and any faith he once placed in him.

It is also a worrying sign of the Argentine, as it shows his continued misguided belief to trust players to perform who he has relied on in the past, even when they are clearly struggling – having conceded 10 goals in two games prior to Saturday.

The £65,000 a week player also got his team on the front foot through his long passes, with three out of four successful, and it is that active approach which Spurs lack currently, struggling to break down Watford and failing to score against the likes of Brighton and Newcastle.

Pochettino has to start being brave by dropping his previous favourites, starting on Tuesday against Red Star Belgrade, because only then may Spurs get back to their best.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to The Daily Mail, West Ham United are interested in AC Milan’s Suso as Manuel Pellegrini looks to make further additions to his attacking options.

What’s the story?

The Hammers added Pablo Fornals over the summer but are apparently still keen on adding further creativity to the side, which is understandable given a return of just 11 goals in nine league games.

As a result, they have reportedly pinpointed Suso as a player who could solve their problems, and the fact he could be available after a disappointing start to the season may be what has sparked the interest.

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Suso has a foreign club release clause of £36m which may make such a move difficult, but the fact he is reportedly keen on a move means it is a deal which could happen.

Missing link

Although West Ham have a number of attacking midfielders in Manuel Lanzini, Felipe Anderson and Pablo Fornals, each has failed to support Sebastien Haller sufficiently this season.

They have just six assists between them and as a result the Hammers have often seemed to lack ideas in attack, struggling to break down organised sides like Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

That is where Suso could be key.

He is a great crosser of the ball and his vision could be vital to Pellegrini, with 1.6 successful crosses and 2.8 key passes per game last term. He may have struggled this season with zero goals and one assist in eight games, with fan opinion seeming to turn against him, but he has proved previosuly that he has the quality to improve West Ham.

AC Milan fan reaction wanting him to leave is evidence of that:

In 2018/19 he scored seven goals and assisted 10, and judging by his start this season Anderson is unlikely to reach those figures. The Brazilian is beginning to disappoint fans and therefore a change could be needed – with Susi providing Pellegrini with an opportunity to breathe fresh life into the West Ham final third.

He is still only 25, too, and therefore a boost in confidence and a change in scenery could allow him to return to his best form, particularly as Pellegrini is a manager who bases his philosophy on players playing with belief and freedom.

Anderson’s form is a worry, with only 77% pass accuracy in the Premier League as well as a reduction in his average key passes, from 1.8 in 2018/19 to 1.5 this term.

That underlines the improvement Suso would likely bring to the squad, and in turn it could lead to West Ham, and Haller, scoring more.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Thomas Meunier expects to stay at PSG despite being linked with a move to Arsenal, per Foot Mercato.

What’s the word?

The right-back was linked with a potential move to The Emirates by Calciomercato last month, with Juventus also said to be interested.

His contract is currently set to expire in the summer but the Belgium international believes that the Ligue 1 champions will offer him an extension.

He said: “My ambition is to stay, after we’ll see how it goes and what the club’s will is. They know my wish, it’s been 2 years, even Antero (Henrique, former sporting director) had plans for an extension in the past, but it never came on the table.

“I have been patient until now, I will be a little more. I think at some point it will come.”

Good news

Arsenal don’t really need Meunier.

Hector Bellerin is back to full fitness and Ainsley Maitland-Niles has impressed in the role while the Spaniard has been injured.

Rob Holding and Calum Chambers are also able to play in the role and it feels like a move for Meunier, even in a free transfer, does not make sense.

Add in the fact that he is approaching the age of 30, and one has to believe that the proper strategy is to give Bellerin the opportunity to be the first-choice right-back for the club.

Of course, if he picks up another injury, Arsenal can rethink but right now, they should stick with what they have.

After a weekend off, Real Madrid are finally getting back to business on Wednesday evening.

Los Blancos are welcoming another tricky opponent to the Santiago Bernabeu in the form of Leganes.

Now that they have reached the top of the mountain, Zinedine Zidane’s troops will definitely be looking to get back to the throne as soon as possible.

And for once, the squad is not really plagued with injuries that much and with the postponement of El Clasico, they had a couple of extra days to get rest, recuperate and then get back fresh and ready to fire on all cylinders.

Still, Zidane could be inclined to give some younger players a chance to shine in this mid-week fixture.

With all of that in mind, here’s what we think Real Madrid’s starting XI might look like against Leganes, with the Frenchman making just one change from the side that beat Galatasary last time out.

Thibaut Courtois is seemingly getting back to his brilliant best and is starting to show his true colours.

His latest display was a truly heroic one as the Belgian goalie was one of the players who single-handedly won Real Madrid the game with his performance. With that being said, there’s no reason for Zidane to drop him now so we’re slotting him ahead of Alphonse Areola between the sticks.

Watch Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale answer the internet’s weirdest questions in the video below…

The backline, however, should not see any major surprises and the usual suspects should all start at the Santiago Bernabeu: Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane manning the centre-back positions and they should be flanked by Marcelo and Daniel Carvajal on the left and the right side respectively.

Toni Kroos and Casemiro could also reprise their roles in midfield but it’s actually Federico Valverde whose appearance might surprise some people.

But considering that he mustered another brilliant display against Galatasaray in the Champions League – and especially seeing how Luka Modric is still fresh from his injury – his inclusion in the starting XI does make a lot of sense.

Finally, up front we have the return of Eden Hazard, who sat the last La Liga game out, and the 18-year-old prodigy, Rodrygo, who should act as a replacement for the still injured Gareth Bale.

The Brazilian youngster was also one of the players who really impressed the last time he was playing so it’s wouldn’t be a stretch to say Zidane will gives him another shot in the team.

Luka Jovic is probably the biggest surprise of them all but seeing how Karim Benzema has virtually not been dropped at all this season, being the second most-used player in the squad, the Serbian just might get a chance and the Frenchman his long-overdue rest.

Tottenham Hotspur fans are desperate for the club to sign Alex Grimaldo from Benfica.

Calciomercato, via A Bola, claim that Spurs are among a number of clubs chasing the left-back, with Arsenal and Napoli also interested.

And fans have been left rather excited by the news of their club’s interest.

A Spain U21 international, Grimaldo has made 131 appearances for Benfica, scoring 11 goals and registering 26 assists.

This season already, the former Barcelona B man has one goal and four assists to his name in 14 outings.

Indeed, Spurs have struggled at the start of the 2019/20 campaign and Danny Rose has looked out of his depth at times at left-back, picking up five yellow cards in just nine games and averaging 1.6 fouls per game from just 1.8 tackles, per WhoScored.

A number of supporters believe Grimaldo, who is reportedly valued at €40m (£34.4m) is exactly what Tottenham need as they approach the transfer window.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Granit Xhaka could leave Arsenal in January, and according to The Times Newcastle are interested in taking him off their hands.

What’s the word?

Xhaka’s unhappiness at the Gunners is now no secret thanks to his extraordinary outburst in the home match against Crystal Palace a few weeks ago, where his display to the fans was rather unfriendly.

His antics have cost him his captaincy, and he has subsequently missed the two matches since, with a possibility that he could remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The Times suggest that if that was to happen, he would request a January move – and Newcastle could be his destination, with Steve Bruce thought to be a big admirer of the Switzerland captain.

However, due to his £100,000-a-week salary a permanent departure may be out of the question, but since the Magpies would be able to offer him Premier League football and perhaps a key role in the team, the 27-year-old could be open to a short-term switch, with Euro 2020 not far away.

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Worth the risk?

Much of the hostility that exists between Xhaka, who cost £35m im 2016, and the Arsenal faithful has come about due to their belief that the midfielder has underperformed.

That, along with his poor attitude, could be of concern to Newcastle, particularly as they will probably have to spend a lot of money on his wages.

Also, the Magpies are not in urgent need of a midfield addition, with the Longstaff brothers along with Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden all capable of fulfilling a first-team role.

However, none of them can match Xhaka’s 87% pass accuracy or 61 average passes per game, and in new surroundings away from all the vitriol at the Emirates he could begin to find his best form once more.

After all, he is the skipper of a national team, and will be determined to impress after the recent fall-out, as his place in the European Championships could come under threat.

As a result, he would probably be a useful addition to the Newcastle squad, and if on a short-term basis it could be hugely beneficial to all parties.

Many Watford fans have shared their appreciation for Abdoulaye Doucoure after the club announced that nobody ran further him in the game against Norwich City, with him covering a mammoth 12.21km.

The Watford admin described the Frenchman as an ‘engine’ as fans replied with their positive messages after they were finally able to break the curse and be the last out of the 91 football league clubs to win a league game.

Doucoure managed to put in a strong performance – getting given a 7.5/10 rating on WhoScored – as Watford were able to get themselves off the bottom of the Premier League into 18th and within striking distance of Villa, who are three points ahead in 17th.

Many Watford fans appreciated the effort put in by Doucoure and replied with their positive messages, while one fan even has a theory about him being better in the blue kit.

Here are some of the replies below…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Clearly, the tensions are running high between Liverpool and Manchester City players following the Reds’ 3-1 victory over the Citizens.

In the England camp, there was an incident involving Joe Gomez and Raheem Sterling. The latter had a bee in his bonnet with the Anfield outfit’s defender following their clash on Sunday, and asked him if he thought he was “the big man”.

He is also said to have attempted to get him in a headlock. As such, he will play no part for the Three Lions against Montenegro on Thursday.

A lot of the discourse since has been aimed at Sterling’s side of the situation. It seems, though, that few have questioned why Gomez is even in the squad from a footballing point of view.

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The 22-year-old may be a popular player for Southgate – he has seven caps under the current boss – but it is hard to justify his inclusion. So far this campaign, he has made just seven starts in all competitions. In those matches, Jurgen Klopp’s side have conceded 13.

England may not be blessed with centre-backs, but there are surely some who are more worthy at this current time.

The one that stands out the most is Chris Smalling, who is excelling at AS Roma on loan from Manchester United. He has an average WhoScored rating of 7.26 in Serie A, having played ten matches in all competitions already. James Tarkowski, who has helped Burnley keep four clean sheets in the first 12 matches of the campaign, is another name to consider.

Southgate has previously mentioned he is unhappy with the number of English players starting regularly, yet he has ignored those who are in favour of one who has spent most of the campaign on the bench.

He has the potential to become a star player, but right now, £31.5m-valued Gomez does not deserve a place in the squad.

Manchester City fans have reacted to reports from Turkish newspaper Fanatik (via Sport Witness), which state the club could be set to go in for Caglar Soyuncu in January.Soyuncu has been one of the Premier League’s best central defenders this season and has helped Leicester City into second after 12 games. The Turkey international has played in each of these fixtures and also scored a goal and assisted for the Foxes in that time.The 23-year-old has certainly been one of the main strengths in Leicester establishing the best defensive record in the league, as the club have conceded just eight goals -Âtwo less than leaders Liverpool.City, on the other hand, have struggled in this regard and fell into fourth as a result of their defensive woes. However, despite the clear need for reinforcements in the absence of Aymeric Laporte, not all the supporters are sold on the idea of bringing in Soyuncu.

Some fans believe the reported £42.7m is not going to cut it with Leicester, as they sold Harry Maguire for £80m.

Certain supporters would be happy with securing his signature, but other fans have pointed to the idea of bringing in Ruben Dias from Benfica instead.

Here’s how some City fans have reacted to the report…