FC Barcelona - Campeones de España y Europa!

Looks like the Sanchez deal is indeed true. 28m up front plus 10m in variables. Or could be less if Jonathan Soriano is involved. High price, but his salary is dirt cheap - just 3m euros a year. He would have surely been offered more by the Manchesters and Inter, so it's good to see that he (maybe) has chosen Barça rather than just following the money (of course it helps that Barça are the current CL champions)...another "Mascherano"

I think we'll sign Cesc, and that'll be about it for this summer (with half of next summer's transfer budget also blown ) apart from possibly buying Angel if there's a buyer for Maxwell.


Valdes, Pinto
Alves, Adriano
Pique, Mascherano
Puyol, Fontas
Abidal, Maxwell/Angel
Busquets, Keita
Xavi, Thiago
Iniesta, Cesc
Pedro, Alexis
Messi
Villa, Afellay


Bojan, Jeffren, Milito will be sold. Probably for a combined total of 15m euros or less.

And the likes of Kiko, Araujo, or Andrada may be signed to boost the B team, making appearances in the first team as required, along with Bartra, Muniesa, Delofeu, etc.

The squad looks reasonably solid overall...21 players is still less than most other big clubs, but as with the season just gone by, every one of them is a reliable starter. There's no real "weak fringe players".

So if Pep and the physios continue their good work with the fitness/injuries, then the squad should be ok to handle the 6 competitions next year. I still feel it's lacking one more goalscorer though...I was very excited by the possibility of signing Kanoute, but it looks like he's staying at Sevilla. Maybe Delofeu can make the step up this season?

I know I keep banging on but I don't think Cesc is needed. Why is he being bought? If it's as a first teamer he'll unbalance the side; regardless of who drops out. If it's as a squad player/cover...is he really necessary? Barca are capable of beating any side even with the so called weaker squad players (Keita, Afellay, Thiago, Mascherano, Adriano etc) Perhaps with Cesc there is a smaller drop in quality if one of Xaviesta are out, but again does it really matter? His buy would only be worthwhile IMO if Xavi or Iniesta get a long-term injury and you can't make purchases on that basis. He's simply too expensive. Barca I think should wait it out. I think it's pretty much Arsenal or Barca for Cesc and his fee will continue to drop with each season.

Sanchez is a slightly different case as currently there is no reliable alternative to the front three. Jeffren isn't of standard. Bojan's confidence is shot. Afellay is still settling in and is more of a midfielder anyway. Sanchez is also capable of covering in all three positions up front, and is of an age which sits nicely with the current squad. (To elaborate)...even if he can't displace Pedro immediately, he won't have to wait too long before Villa starts to wane (probably within the next 2 seasons). He has a higher ceiling than Pedro anyway. Also, unlike Cesc his purchase wouldn't hinder any youth prospects currently at the club. Delofeu is really the only faux-winger who seems to be particularly promising and he's only 17.

the Araujo and Andrada deal is off totally, the club will not be pushing the cesc deal that hard anymore and or now focusing on a defender, Sakho/Thiago being there preferred choice.

It was always either Cesc which will see masch playing about half his games in the defense or a defender with masch being a defender only in the case of emergencies

Calidad wrote:I know I keep banging on but I don't think Cesc is needed. Why is he being bought?

Because Pep is desperate to sign him, and has reportedly made the Cesc signing the no. 1 priority for this summer.


Unfortunately we all know how Pep's requested transfers end...

Calidad wrote:I know I keep banging on but I don't think Cesc is needed. Why is he being bought? If it's as a first teamer he'll unbalance the side; regardless of who drops out. If it's as a squad player/cover...is he really necessary? Barca are capable of beating any side even with the so called weaker squad players (Keita, Afellay, Thiago, Mascherano, Adriano etc) Perhaps with Cesc there is a smaller drop in quality if one of Xaviesta are out, but again does it really matter? His buy would only be worthwhile IMO if Xavi or Iniesta get a long-term injury and you can't make purchases on that basis. He's simply too expensive. Barca I think should wait it out. I think it's pretty much Arsenal or Barca for Cesc and his fee will continue to drop with each season.

Sanchez is a slightly different case as currently there is no reliable alternative to the front three. Jeffren isn't of standard. Bojan's confidence is shot. Afellay is still settling in and is more of a midfielder anyway. Sanchez is also capable of covering in all three positions up front, and is of an age which sits nicely with the current squad. (To elaborate)...even if he can't displace Pedro immediately, he won't have to wait too long before Villa starts to wane (probably within the next 2 seasons). He has a higher ceiling than Pedro anyway. Also, unlike Cesc his purchase wouldn't hinder any youth prospects currently at the club. Delofeu is really the only faux-winger who seems to be particularly promising and he's only 17.

, i think he will be pushing villa for a starting spot by the 2nd half of the season.

Thiago is boss, i do not want Cesc

I'm watching the game now as well, and I have the same thoughts as always - he's still far too casual with the ball, too carefree, portraying arrogance. Still a long way to go before he can be a reliable starter.

kinda reminds be of deco when he was at barca played with the same arrogance, thiago is brazilian so that will never be taken away from his game, but its clear that he is seeing the game a step or two ahead of this teammates

He improved in the rest of the game. Really dominated the midfield, even from a defensive aspect.

lol so much money for this alexis guy, i didnt know that players from chile are so overpriced, i thought only english and argentine players

have to say barca has a great squad, filled with champions in the best age and great talents, will take some time until other clubs will win the cl

Nah the CL is a K.O comp where luck plays a huge part, doubt we will win it this season

Messiah - are you Spanish?

Nah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGHRB0dGhIg&feature=player_embedded
Thiago

You interested in Spain for Barcelona first and foremost then?

Thiago indeed looks very impressive

Messiah wrote:Nah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGHRB0dGhIg&feature=player_embedded
Thiago

Very good performance. Lovely pass at the end there too. And his setup for the second was very Iniesta like.

Noah und der Bale wrote:You interested in Spain for Barcelona first and foremost then?

Thiago indeed looks very impressive

Indeed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFOf2gK4roM&feature=player_embedded#at=98

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gupLnv-r6Hs&feature=player_embedded

Jean Marie dongou, the best striker in barca by some distance and the future for cameroon, though i think he has played a few games for spain, 16 years old, top scored for the U-19 team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z03vk3LkcQo&feature=player_embedded

Gerard Deulofeu vs Deportivo (Semifinal Copa del Rey 2011)

Messiah wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFOf2gK4roM&feature=player_embedded#at=98

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gupLnv-r6Hs&feature=player_embedded

Jean Marie dongou, the best striker in barca by some distance and the future for cameroon, though i think he has played a few games for spain, 16 years old, top scored for the U-19 team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z03vk3LkcQo&feature=player_embedded

Gerard Deulofeu vs Deportivo (Semifinal Copa del Rey 2011)

The next Bojan!

Jaimito el Crack wrote:

Messiah wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFOf2gK4roM&feature=player_embedded#at=98

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gupLnv-r6Hs&feature=player_embedded

Jean Marie dongou, the best striker in barca by some distance and the future for cameroon, though i think he has played a few games for spain, 16 years old, top scored for the U-19 team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z03vk3LkcQo&feature=player_embedded

Gerard Deulofeu vs Deportivo (Semifinal Copa del Rey 2011)

The next Bojan!

clubs are trying to mash out a deal, 28m + 5m in incentives + Jeffern/Soriano.

Jeffern is saying no, soriano is all for it, they would prefer jeffern

Seems as if Udinese and the club has a 12m euros valuation of Jeffern, buts its more pozzo trying to make it out he has hot the 50m euros he valued Sanchez at.

28m+5+Jeffern 12m:D.

Club is looking to seal the cesc deal for around 35m euros, it will be an entire summer sage again, everyone knows my feelings about the transfer but i'm even more against it now that thiago is looking so awesome.

but wouldn't it make sense for arsenal to seal the deal as early has possible and stop playing hardball to enable them to reinvest in the team.

it seems like they are trying to hold out until next season and hope cesc as a better season and barca a worst, to raise his value before selling him

Messiah wrote:Club is looking to seal the cesc deal for around 35m euros, it will be an entire summer sage again, everyone knows my feelings about the transfer but i'm even more against it now that thiago is looking so awesome.

but wouldn't it make sense for arsenal to seal the deal as early has possible and stop playing hardball to enable them to reinvest in the team.
it seems like they are trying to hold out until next season and hope cesc as a better season and barca a worst, to raise his value before selling him

what is cesc to valuable for you to sell, still better than xavi and iniesta.

the boys are making this sanchez deal very complicated for the club, jeffern says he doesn't want to be included in the deal, nor does, Montoya or Bojan, only person that is for it is soriano.

Maybe they want to stay to preserve the purity of their Barca DNA. I think your club is unfair and treating them like slaves trying to trade them like comodities instead of bowing to their human wishes.

Venezuelan striker Jeffren Suarez agreed to leave FC Barcelona , leaving the way clear for the arrival of Chilean Alexis Sanchez to the institution, as indicated on Tuesday in sports daily Sport.
According to the publication, despite the negative attitude , the player-Spanish citizen, finally agreed not to thrilled to be "bargaining chip" in negotiations between Catalan and Italian by the Chilean player's pass.
"Of course not like. I have seven years in Barcelona, ​​had a dream to succeed here, and I think I will not meet. I have to find something else," he said, resigned, told RAC1 .
Suarez sees "possible" that his time at the Nou Camp is coming to an end. "I am very sorry, but what is the life of a footballer. We'll see."

my boy Gio dos santos does it again for mexico, after being voted one of the best young players at the world cup, the kids got talent, just needs better handlers, who where near dinho levels, but i was never one to say that from the word go, but he is good, can do a job for a team from 3-6 in almost any league.

Messiah wrote:my boy Gio dos santos does it again for mexico, after being voted one of the best young players at the world cup, the kids got talent, just needs better handlers, who where near dinho levels, but i was never one to say that from the word go, but he is good, can do a job for a team from 3-6 in almost any league.

I would love to see him playing for Villarreal, especially if they would sell Cazorla to Malaga. He would fit very nicely in the way they are using wingers/attacking midfielders.

Juvinel A has won the treble by taking the copa del rey final against espanyol 2-0

Messiah wrote:my boy Gio dos santos does it again for mexico, after being voted one of the best young players at the world cup, the kids got talent, just needs better handlers, who where near dinho levels, but i was never one to say that from the word go, but he is good, can do a job for a team from 3-6 in almost any league.

It was a top class goal in the Gold Cup final. Still, CONCACAF ain't exactly the world's best competition. He does seem to play better for Mexico. He was pretty anonymous at Racing last season and before that where was he? The Championship? He really should be doing more with his talent but still I don't think he is ever going to be "the man" for a big club.