Derby County’s record is safe for another season. That infamous 2007/08 season, when the ramshackle Rams won just once and picked up a paltry 11 Premier League points, remains the worst tally of any team, not only in England but across Europe’s top five divisions.
That Derby’s highly-unwanted record was the subject of much discussion in Spain a few months ago, however, is testament to just how badly Almeria have crumbled in the current La Liga campaign.
Hard-earned draws with Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, plus that shock win at surprise packages Las Palmas, lifted Almeria above Derby to 14 points, at least.
Still, brief upturn aside, relegation still looms for a club who’s struggles are proof that, sometimes, ambitious and deep-pocketed owners do not always equate success.
Largie Ramazani, the one-time Manchester United whizzkid, was one of a number of exciting talents who joined the club under the reign of their Saudi Arabian-backers. Ramazani, sprightly of foot and twinkle of toe, was a major reason why Almeria were still a top-flight club this season in the first place, helping the club dodge the drop by just a single place in 2022/23.
Former Manchester United starlet set for relegation
Despite mustering more goal contributions (three goals, five assists) than all-but one member of the Almeria squad, Ramazani has been powerless to prevent a long and miserable march back towards the Segunda for a team who have won only once in their 33 matches so far.
They are now a staggering 17 points adrift of safety.
Sunday’s latest defeat, against Villarreal, was typical of their season. Almeria competed well for long spells but conceded a 92nd minute winner to former Crystal Palace misfit Alexander Sorloth, having lost Ramazani to a red card only a few moments earlier.
Almeria confirmed today, on their official website, that Ramazani’s campaign is now all-but over. A five-game ban is the 23-year-old winger’s punishment not only for the two yellow cards he picked up against Villarreal, but for the resulting foul-mouthed rant aimed in the direction of the referee.
Largie Ramazani picks up five-game man
“Largie Ramazani has practically said goodbye to the 2023/24 season after being handed a five-game ban by the RFEF Competition Committee,” the statement reads.
“The 23-year-old footballer has been suspended for one match for the two yellow cards he received in the 87th minute, and for four games for insults, improper attitude and inappropriate comments towards the match official at the end of the match.”
Ramazani, shortly before mustering a hat-trick of assists in just six minutes during a clash with Granada back in October (typically, Almeria would throw away that 3-0 lead a la Man United vs Coventry), announced his intention to become a ‘legend’ for the Rojiblancos.
He may still achieve his ambitions, of course. Firing Almeria back into La Liga – and then keeping them there – would be a good start.