The U-21 European Championships have finished, Spain are the victors once more.

That's consecutive titles for Thiago Alcantara and co., and the Barcelona midfield schemer rightfully features in our ultimate XI for the tournament.

Who joins him? Read on to find out, but be warned: It's La Roja-centric!

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The Premier League will release fixtures for the 2013-14 season Wednesday morning, but we think that's way too long to wait. We might not exactly know when and where, but we have a good idea which teams will play the really big, important matches of the season.

Who will challenge for the title? Who will fill out the Champions League spots? Which games will have the biggest influence on those races?

Keep reading for our choices of six big games in the upcoming season.

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Manchester City have done some early, positive business in the transfer market.

Despite not having a manager officially in place at the time, sporting director Txiki Begiristain wasted no time in securing two prime signings. The BBC have confirmed the captures of Spanish winger Jesus Navas and Brazilian holding midfielder Fernandinho.

The signings prompt questions about which starting XI Manuel Pellegrini will use next season and which formation he might favour.

The Citizens already boast a sizable squad, so just one or two more additions are foreseeable ahead of the new season. Let's take an early look at how City might line up.

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Even when he's not in England, Luis Suarez still makes news in the British press.

Suarez, the controversial Liverpool striker who is currently serving a 10-match ban for biting an opponent, has been linked with a transfer since the season ended. But if the latest reports are correct, he overlooked an important procedural detail.

That story leads this Tuesday edition of the B/R Summer Transfer Window Gossip roundup. Inside, we also have stories on Fernando Torres, Isco, Edinson Cavani and more.

Keep reading for all the details.

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According to Sami Mokbel of The Daily Mail, Gonzalo Higuain isn't the only signature Arsenal are pursuing this week.

Asier Illarramendi, Real Sociedad's star defensive midfielder, is also attracting interest at a price of £10 million. The Spaniard is currently on U-21 international duty, preparing to take on Italy in the final.

If you haven't caught much of Illarra, you've come to the right place: Here, we can tell you everything you need to know about the youngster.

Descriptions of him being the next Xabi Alonso are perhaps a little inaccurate—if you were to pick one player in the Spanish setup he most resembles, it's Sergio Busquets.

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Four English Premier League clubs have changed managers ahead of the new season, while two other managers are facing their first full campaign with their respective teams.

It takes much effort and initiative to change and evolve, and fans are eagerly awaiting how their sides will turn out for the 2013-14 season.

Here, B/R previews what to expect in terms of tactical change, or stability, from each EPL side.

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Arsenal's pursuit of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain has heated up in recent days. The latest reports indicate the Gunners are closing in on a club-record €30 million move for the Argentina international. If the report is true, the transfer would have far-reaching implications for the team—both on and off the pitch.

I'll address those implications in depth momentarily. First, though, let's examine the evolution of the rumors.

Higuain, 25, has been linked with Arsenal since at least May. Shortly after the end of the Premier League season, the Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson reported Arsenal's interest in a £19 million move, which would be a club record.

Italian champions Juventus then seemed to take the lead in chasing Higuain. The Daily Mirror's John Cross reported early this month that Real and Juve had held talks over the striker. Soon afterward, the Press Association reported (via The Guardian) that Real had told Juve to wait for the transfer until Real appoints a new manager to replace Jose Mourinho.

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As the BBC confirmed Joe Kinnear had been appointed Director of Football at Newcastle United on Sunday, fans across the UK looked quizzically at one another.

Another attempt to make a Director of Football, or DoF for short, a success? You've got to be joking.

The appointment was poorly received for two reasons on Tyneside. Firstly, Kinnear was last involved with the club in their relegation season of 2009. During that time he called chairman Derek Llambias "Dave" and Charles N'Zogbia "Charles Insomnia."

Secondly, and this is a belief widely held in the English Premier League, DoFs do not work.

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