They’re back! Well, some of them are. Illarra, Morata, Isco, DLo,Carvajal, Jesús, Nacho, Bale, Casemiro and Arbeloa, to be exact. The arrived for their pre-season medicals and first training.
And bless, G-Money is still sporting his Alice band from vacation. I’m going to be polite and refer to it as a headband (primarily because I’m desperate for someone, anyone to wear a headband of any sort) but, eh, not so much. I think he fancies himself looking like this in it. Nope, honey, not really.
The boys got reacquainted, posed for pictures and then stripped down for the medical tests. They also rocked their new Good N’ Plenty inspired training gear. Video 1 Video 2 (Note DLo’s new cropped hair cut – he got that earlier this summer)
They were greeted by Fernando Hierro (should we just nickname him Iron Man and be done with it?) as he begin his assistant coach duties. There were also three newly married gentlemen on the pitch: Nacho, Casemiro and the Mister. Mazel tov! Joining our returnees were youth players Pacheco, Diego Llorente, Mascarell, Lucas, Medrán, Sobrino, José Rodríguez, Burgui, Raúl de Tomás, Marcos Llorente, Noblejas and Derik. Video
Tomorrow they’ll have a double training session. Goodbye Ibiza, hello work! Put down the caipirinha and step away from the yacht full of dancing scantily clad ladies, my fine young gentlemen, fun time is over. Well, not you, Jese, not just yet. You just keep on with that and please make another Big Flow video while you’re there.
So who is coming back when? AS says the following:
July 14: non-WC players
July 21: WC players eliminated in group stage (7)
August 1: French players
August 5: WC finalists
AS says that the 7 players who got knocked out in the group stage (Xabi, Iker, Sergio, Man Edith, Cristiano, the still injured Fabio & Pepe) will not participate in the July 26 game vs. Inter (pissing many people off undoubtedly) but will be around the August 2nd match vs. MUFC (whew!). However, the rest of the players who were in the World Cup are not expected to make the trip to the US. So basically, that means no Karim, The Baby, Marcelo, Sami or Di Maria. Bah! MGEF has a more detailed tentative pre-season schedule.
I’m assuming many of the teams are having this issue. I’m seeing Bayern Munich in a couple of weeks. Who exactly is going to be in their starting XI? Their nans? (Announcer: “IF YOU LOVE BASTI, JUST WAIT’LL YOU SEE THE THROUGH BALLS OF NANA SCHWEINSTEIGER!” “AND WOW! WHAT A GOAL FROM OMA GOTZE! YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE KID GOT IT FROM!” etc.)
I’ll be missing Poldi, Per & Mesut with Arsenal too. Oh well. They all deserve a rest. They worked their finely toned arses off this summer.
And though its been speculated to the high heavens, Toni Kroos really let the cat out of the bag while speaking to Brazilian internet service UOL:
“We’ve finished the World Cup in the best way possible. Now I’m going to Madrid, so that’s two dreams achieved.”
His agent immediately backpedaled and said that nothing has been signed yet. He claimed that they would make a decision and announce it on Tuesday or Wednesday, so we don’t have long to wait. I knew it was coming but I try to avoid silly season and just wait until the ink is dry before saying anything.
Sigh. I’m so not good with change.
– Lozil
Yup, I’m not good with change either. Why oh why can’t we just leave this beautiful team as it is?? They won the double last season! Why are the heads of Madrid allergic to stability?! Why must we keep buying players to just let their talent rott on the bench?
I’m thinking dirty things about our boys and the phrase “good ‘n plenty.”
I’m just saying,
Glad I’m not the only one. I’m preparing a shed load of bad puns for this season. 🙂
And I will look forward to them all!
Man Edith, indeed! LOL!
Well, since the hair cut I feel Lady Edith is not exactly spot on anymore!
Both names seem kinda perfect for him!
Since the haircut, I’ve been calling him Lad Edith.
Seeing Morata there is really bittersweet. Who’s in Spain/nearby? Somebody stop him from getting on his flight to Italy! 😦
I’d fly over and tackle the child if I could but sadly, I know he’ll just sit on the bench again all season and I don’t want that for him. He’s too good not to be playing! Besides, he can bromance with Llorente which might help a bit.
I know. And I want what’s best for him, I just wish that we could have found a place for him. He’s the first player who I actually paid attention to when he was in Castilla, and he’s my favorite of our babies. At least he’s going to a great team.
Aww damn I was really hoping the Varane and Benzema in Ann Arbor. I guess I should just be happy that majority of the team got knocked out so early so they can join the tour. lolll.
I know, isn’t it ridiculous that we’re thinking that way? I know some people in Cali that are going to be absolutely furious.