Bernabeu Bites: El Clasico Eve

Welcome to Bernabeu Bites, every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday we bring you news as it relates to Real Madrid, La Liga and European Football - in bite size form. Grab your beverage of choice, sit back, relax & enjoy!

It's like Christmas Eve, only slightly better - we are on the verge of the El Clasico and (hopefully) the start of the 2011/12 La Liga season. Keep it here for more info leading up to the first leg and through the second leg. 

Of course if you haven't heard the players union is going to strike the first two weekends of the La Liga season, we've talked about it here.

And CNN has a good report on it as well.

We don't want more money we want the clubs to honor the contracts they sign with their players.

We have put forward proposals which exist in Holland, Germany, France and England which are preventative. In these countries if a club shows it can't pay its players the club doesn't compete.

"We have asked that players who are owed more than three months (wages) can break their contracts. It seemed like we had an agreement but it was left out."

One of the on going saga's for that other team is all about Cesc Fabregas going back to Barca from Arsenal. I swear this ranks up there with our own Neymar saga to a point. Last report had said, Barcelona were going to make the announcement yesterday that Cesc had finally returned 'home'. 

Apparently it's hit a snag. Here's what Barca manager Pep had to say:

''He's not here yet,'' Guardiola said. ''According to the information we have from club bosses, negotiations are very advanced but there is still a document missing to confirm. The prospects are good, but he's still an Arsenal player.''

While a return to Boca Junior's isn't in the cards for Fernando Gago, because of the asking price of  €7 million, los blancos are waiting for bids from Liverpool and Inter Milan.

Speaking of transfer rumors and Liverpool according to the British newspaper Metro, the Reds may or may not have made a bid for Gonzalo Higuain. Supposedly King Kenny made a bid in the  £22 million range.

Which Mou rightfully turned down.

The former coach of Spain, and a man that played 500 matches for Real Madrid Jose Antonio Camacho has been named the head coach for the Chinese National Team, as they make a qualification run for the World Cup.

''We are happy to be here. My team and I are proud to join the Chinese national squad. Our goal for the moment is to try to qualify for the World Cup finals in Brazil. But we have a long-term plan for the future,'' Camacho told the Xinhua News Agency.

While Neymar is grabbing headlines (more on this in a minute) another stand out on Santos would love to play for Real Madrid: Ganso. If los blancos brought in everyone that would love to play for them, could you imagine the size of the club? We could field at least 2 first teams.

For me, it would be a dream to play someday at Madrid, my favourite club," Ganso said, according to Marca.

Speaking of Neymar, he's talking out the side of his head again. Though I remember at that age, doing the same thing on occasion but this one made me laugh, almost to the point that I almost spit coffee all over my laptop. This quote comes from the presser after the Brazil/Germany friendly.

"I can be as big as him or even better," Neymar replied. "I'm sure of it!"

Just shut up man, you're good no doubt, but better that Messi? Just keep your mouth shut play football - and hey grab a hair cut while you're at it. You look like a tool.

And lets end this on a high note, or a CR7 note if you will. Whatever you do, if you decide to interview CR7 - make damn sure you pronounce Fabio Coentao's name correctly - or you'll get what's coming to you! Has to be one of his most epic interviews. I mean really, you're in the press get your crap straight.

I'll have a special edition of BB coming on Monday with all the post first leg El Clasico stuff you can shake a stick at.