10 Things You Should Know About Chelsea’s Latest Signing – Wallace

Chelsea, this week, confirmed that they have agreed a deal with Brazilian side Fluminense for the transfer of Wallace during the January transfer window for an undisclosed fee.

As part of the deal, the 18-year-old defender will remain with Fluminense until the end of the season and will join his compatriots – David Luiz, Ramires, Lucas Piazon and Oscar – at Stamford Bridge in July.

As the 18-year-old is a relative unknown to supporters outside of his homeland, here are the ten things you should know about him..

• Wallace Oliveira dos Santos was born on 1 May 1994 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• He is the latest full-back to graduate from Fluminense’s Vale das Laranjeiras Training Centre, after twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva (Manchester United) and Marcelo (Real Madrid).
• He made his Fluminense debut at the age of 17, coming on as a substitute four Souza in a 4-0 win over Ceara.
• He has since appeared in 18 of his team’s 38 league matches in 2012 as Fluminense won the Brazilian league title for the second time in three years.
• Since 2010, 40% of his economic rights have been owned by Chelsea, as a part of the deal that saw Deco join Fluminense. The former Porto and Barca midfield played a role in the transfer, as he was the one to recommend the club as an ideal destination for the youngster.
• Lucas Piazon, who joined Chelsea last year from Sao Paulo, was one of Wallace’s team-mates during his time as a Brazil youth international.
• Wallace has represented Brazil at Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 level. He was a part of the side that won the U-17 South American Football Championship in Mexico, 2011. He was also a part of the 2011 U-17 FIFA World Cup squad for Brazil.
• He will become the fifth Brazilian to join the growing contigent of the Selecao at Stamford Bridge after Ramires, David Luiz, Lucas Piazon and Oscar.
• He will be taking English lessons over the next six months before making his move to the Premier League. That will help him to settle well in the new country.
• He will be used more as a backup to Cesar Azpilicueta, which will allow Branislav Ivanovic to play more in his favoured position at centre-back.

El Clasico – Barcelona v Real Madrid Preview

There are very few fixtures in world football that capture the imagination quite like the meeting between the two giants of Spanish football – Barcelona and Real Madrid, as the El Clasico returns tonight.

Two old adversaries will lock horns at Camp Nou in the latest installment of a derby dual which will perhaps decide the fate of the league at a point sooner than ever before. Barcelona are currently at the top of the table and hold an eight-point lead over their arch rivals. It’s no rocket science that anything apart from a win for Real Madrid will mean a huge task for them to overturn the deficit and defend their league title.

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Barcelona will assess Gerard Pique’s fitness ahead of Sunday’s Primera Division showdown with Real Madrid at Camp Nou. The Spain defender has not played for two weeks because of a foot injury but managed to train in the gym on Friday. Carles Puyol (elbow) and Thiago Alcantara (knee) are ruled out, meaning converted midfielders Alex Song and Javier Mascherano are likely to resume their partnership in central defence.

Real Madrid

Sami Khedira and Angel Di Maria are set to return to the starting line-up for Real Madrid, who have no injury concerns. The biggest selection dilemma for boss Jose Mourinho is likely to be over the playmaker role, with Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric, Kaka and Michael Essien all vying for a starting berth.

HEAD TO HEAD

Played – 221
Barcelona Wins – 87
Draw – 46
Real Madrid Wins – 88

HEAD TO HEAD FIXTURES (LAST FIVE)

29-Aug-12 – Super Cup – Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
23-Aug-12 – Super Cup – Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid
21-Apr-12 – La Liga – Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
25-Jan-12 – Copa del Rey – Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid
18-Jan-12 – Copa del Rey – Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona

FORM GUIDE

Barcelona – WWWWW

02-Oct-12 – Champions League – Benfica 0-2 Barcelona
29-Sep-12 – La Liga – Sevilla 2-3 Barcelona
22-Sep-12 – La Liga – Barcelona 2-0 Granada
19-Sep-12 – Champions League – Barcelona 3-2 Spartak Moscow
15-Sep-12 – La Liga – Getafe 1-4 Barcelona

Real Madrid – WWWWL

03-Oct-12 – Champions League – Ajax 1-4 Real Madrid
30-Sep-12 – La Liga – Real Madrid 5-1 Deportivo
24-Sep-12 – La Liga – Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Real Madrid
18-Sep-12 – Champions League – Real Madrid 3-2 Manchester City
15-Sep-12 – La Liga – Sevilla 1-0 Real Madrid

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
The Argentine magician was an ever-present threat in the Champions League on Tuesday, setting up goals for Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas in the 2-0 win at Benfica. Barcelona will need Messi to be at his best again and keep the action firmly in the Real Madrid half to prevent the understrength defence from being troubled by the visitors.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Madrid’s star striker comes into this clash in the fine form and on the back of two consecutive hat-tricks against Deportivo and Ajax respectively. The torment of Barcelona in April when he scored the winning goal in this fixture last season which won Real the title, the Portuguese will again look to take command of this fixture.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Barcelona (4-3-3): Victor Valdes; Dani Alves, Alex Song, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta; Alexis Sanchez, Lionel Messi, David Villa.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Iker Casillas; Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso; Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Karim Benzema.

MATCH ODDS

Barcelona 17/20, Draw 11/4, Real Madrid 3/1

PREDICTION

With Barcelona having to deal with many injuries in the heart of the defence and Real Madrid having their best players in top form, its Real Madrid’s game to lose. As all games between these two sides, this one is also expected to be an open, end-to-end game of football with both sides going for the win. A win for the Catalan giants and they go eleven points ahead of their fierce rivals, but a win for the reigning champions and they are back in the race. An exciting match is expected followed by a win for the defending champions.

Predicted Score: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid