Monday 20 July 2009

Uche, We Hardly Knew Ye

Ikechukwu Uche has left Getafe for Real Zaragoza in a deal worth around €5m.

Although Ike did not start every game, he was highly rated by both the coaching staff and the management at the Coliseum, Angel Torres being a particular admirer of his.

But now that he's moved on - and not for a massive fee - we have lost a great talent.

Uche arrived from Recreativo in 2007 after four years in Andalusia, having been in Spain since he was a teenager.

Although he never really replicated his old goalscoring form at Geta, he had a habit of netting at just the right time. He scored the infamous 'celebration' goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, and also struck against Osasuna under Michel at the end of last season in the game that gave fans faith in our survival.

I wish Uche the absolute best of luck at the Romareda!

Saturday 18 July 2009

El Rey Runs The Show

Yes, it's the obligatory post about Getafe's Burger King sponsor!

The new kit is the first I know of to have advertising on the inside. Now, say what you like about the crass commercialisation of football, and the emblazoning of a US multinational on the kit of a proud Madrid side, but tell me with a straight face that this isn't absolutely awesome:



Here's the 'boring' shot of the exterior:



The away kit is red, while the third kit is white - a change from last year's stylish black-and-yellow number.

People have been asking where you can buy the Getafe Burger King top: my best answer is to keep badgering the club. They barely have a web store presence - if we show them that there is the demand they'll need to relent sooner or later :) But if I find an online store shipping to the UK (or anywhere else for that matter) I'll post it here.

That brings me to another point: not since the Bayern game has there been such interest in the club among English-speakers. Long may it continue - let's get more Getafe fans in Scotland and around the world! ;)

Saturday 11 July 2009

Could It Be Pedro Leon!?

Other than the (excellent) signing of Mané and the (less excellent) arriving of Jordi Codina, the only real arrival this summer has been former Xerez winger Pedro Rios, who will play the right flank spot soon to be departed by Joffre Guerrón, who's flouncing back off to South America where his square head and ludicrously cocksure demeanour will presumably be treated with slightly more respect than he enjoyed here.

So, a new right-winger's in. But imagine my overjoyed surprise when I read that we were linked with another one - and a brilliant one at that. It's Valladolid's Pedro León, an unapologetic wing-based goalscorer who's still only 22. Having impresed with both Levante and now Valladolid in the top flight, he would be an absolute class signing for us. According to Torres he's eager to move but it's far from certain that he will. Here's hoping.

With him, a central midfielder, and a new centre back, I really think we would be mid-table next season rather than scrambling around the bottom. Already with Mané we're stronger than we were: let's keep it going.