Rodri has new contract; youth tourney going on in Vila-real

Rodrigo Hernandez has a new contract running until 2020, though Marca reports its release clause is only €15m or so. German clubs were already interested in him, but at this point in time he is happy to develop his game with Villarreal. I would expect we’ll see a higher release clause and a renegotiated contract in the next year or so if he continues to become a key in midfield.

The La Liga Promises tournment is taking place in Vila-real again; this is a youth tournament for the Alévin-age kids (11-12 years old). It kicked off with a ceremony outside the Cerámica Stadium; the matches themselves are being played at the Pamesa sports complex.

Villarreal’s team has won its first three matches—they will be in the round of 16 starting tomorrow.

And meanwhile, you may have noticed the English Premier League already has its calendar out; we won’t even know who the last team to be promoted to the Primera will be for another week and a half. Spain is different.....