C.R.E.A.M: 13 Aug 2024

A Word From the Author

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Welcome to The Daily Merengue — a place where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name!

Shoutout to the Mods who do a fantastic job, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho (the “King of Mods”).

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Transfer news: Vinicius Junior

Quick Summary. OK - real quick. Saudi Fund is throwing an enormous amount of money at Vini Jr. + Real Madrid for a potential 2024 transfer. I laughed this off a bit yesterday, but the deal is large enough to raise Carlo’s eyebrow. Vini would receive around 200M/yr for 5 years while Real Madrid could receive a fee ranging from 400-600M. There is contradicting news on whether he has officially rejected the offer or not but sources close to Vinicius say he’s still contemplating whether to accept.

Juni’s Thoughts:

Vini. I wouldn’t fault Vini at all if he left for this deal because this is generational wealth. Football is a job and we must respect and understand that one true fact. Yes, we as fans attribute glory to playing for a club and one’s legacy, and many players likely share similar sentiments. However, this is still a job. Footballers play because they are paid. This is their livelihood. This is their true profession and for many they lack other financially lucrative skills. Again, no one at Real Madrid is playing for free.

Now, personally, I’d ask Vini to stay. He isn’t currently earning peanuts so even Real Madrid wealth is still lucrative for his future pursuits. Additionally, who knows what this next season will provide in terms of branding / sponsorships / legacy. However, time is fleeting and you often should grab a contract while it’s hot before your fire is quickly extinguished. What’s the saying “anything can happen in football”

Real Madrid. You accept this offer. Vini is vini and means a huge amount to this club and to the locker room, but 400-600M is enough to refurbish this team for generations. Yes, we aren’t clamoring for additional funds but clearly from our current sporting project money is still a logistic barrier. 400-600M could easily help us purchase that required CB / LB / RB / Vini replacement (if needed). Also, we already to an extent have Vini replacements at home. Rodrygo can fill in at that position. Mbappe can credibly play as LW / LF. Arda / Brahim can slide in at RW if needed. Of course, this isn’t a perfect replacement for Vini’s electrifying ability but these are credible replacements that can still garner us as favorites in all of our competitions.

Now before the ManagingVinicius.com police come in and complain, I’m not saying that the club should push Vini out of the club. The club should just be prepared to lose Vini. If Vini is willing to accept the offer, just let him know that you won’t stand in his way.

It’s a win-win tbh.

Prediction: My personal prediction is that Vini will stay for this season. However, this deal will linger throughout the season especially if Vini + Mbappe do not seem compatible or if La Liga racism continues in a crescendo. IMO this deal is less about 2024 and more about 2025 and 2026 and 2027. This is a leverage point for Vini’s future contracts and everything to do with him. Assuming Saudi stays interested...

Latasa

Latasa. Short and sweet but a follow up from the last DT. Latasa is being sold to Real Vallolidad for 5M. Real Madrid will retain 50% of his rights. A good sale as we continue to establish a strong relationship with Vallolidad.

Juni’s 24/25 Predictions

We have a bit of a lull in the news so here are my non-La Liga / Real Madrid predictions.

Premier League. 1) Arsenal, 2) City, 3) Liverpool, 4) Aston Villa

I know, I know. They’re bottlers. Arteta doesn’t seem to be able to finish things. 50% of you hate Odegaard. Kai Havertz is their striker. I hear all of that and I completely understand all of that but something in me just feels like this is Arsenal’s year. Honestly, this prediction is less about Arsenal and more about City. IMO City don’t feel as dominant as they did in year’s past. They didn’t feel dominant last year. And now everyone is older + tired from NT commitments + 115 charges hanging over their heads. I can just see City spiraling and slipping up just enough to allow Arteta to win Arsenal’s first Prem title in years. Regarding the others, Arne Slot will need a bit of a grace period but I do like Aston Villa’s transfers and moves going forward. I also have zero faith in Chelsea / Utd cause what are they doing.

Bundesliga. 1) Bayer Leverkusen, 2) Bayern 3) RB Leipzig 4) Stuggart

This is also less about Bayer and more about Bayern. I do not believe in Bayern at all. I do not believe in Kompany at all. I do not believe in Kompany’s management style for this particular team. I do not believe in his tactical style for Bayern. Now, I do believe Bayern is talented enough to have results but I just feel like this will end poorly. I’m not sure if the board even knows what they are doing as they’re hampered with bad players and worse contracts. Now, I’m fully prepared to be absolutely wrong about this and that’s calm innit. But Xabi Alonso with another title before he comes home.

Serie A. 1) Inter, 2) Juve. 3) Milan. 4) Atalanta

Honestly, I’m just spitting random from the hip on this cause I really have no clue. But yea give me Inter. I guess instead of predictions, I’m just excited to see if Thiago Motta’s tactics work on a team like Juve. I think they’ll be fun to watch whether it works or whether it’s an absolute trainwreck. Their 3rd kit is also class. I’m also excited to watch Rafael Leao. Napoli will also be interesting to watch because it may lead to absolute chaos. Antonio Conte is a winner tho.

The Advice For the Lil Homie

“The King runs. Shaking off his shadows. His armor clanking. Scattering bones. Crushing groaning hearts. Stepping in alone. To a distant beyond.”

Soon you’ll understand...

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