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- Real Madrid's Nacho had no idea he'd been called up before his friends and family left messages on his answering machine. His actually very charming reaction to the news is the subject of a piece in As today. He talks incidentally about his captain, Iker Casillas, his opinion of the Bale transfer and his delight at being part of Spain's National team. Good luck kid!
- Fifa bug has hit early this season. Real Madrid's Isco has a very, very mild ankle injury that means he won't practice today, but will travel to Finland and likely play. He's really earned his call-up so good luck to him.
- The last 8 or so minutes of the 5 Live podcast (the podcast - "Deadline Day Reaction" - itself is about 13 minutes long) concerns itself with the Bale transfer. What is most interesting from the point of view of a Madridista is his national team coach's blunt reaction to his lack of fitness. "But he's here, and that shows his attitude." Nevertheless, Bale could still play a small role for his team as a substitute. From the sounds of things it is to be hoped his coach doesn't push it though - Bale has been known to return from International duty with injury.
- It has received comparatively less attention, but Fabio Coentrao was very nearly sold on deadline day and would have been, had the fax machine been working. Sid Lowe's write-up of Manchester United's transfer woes in the Basque country with "imposters" who turned out to be lawyers employed by the club is a hilarious read and highly recommended. "Why Herrera's United Move Collapsed". It has to be read to be believed. It also sheds light on the Coentrao fiasco in that it shows the lack of organization and planning in the Man Utd offices on deadline day.