FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

redout · 31-03-2009 08:12PM

What could have been.........

Alex Ferguson Wanted Pep Guardiola, Who Wanted Juventus - Agent

Pep Guardiola was wanted by Manchester United nine seasons ago to control their midfield, but he was only interested in joining Juventus, according to Josep Maria Orobitg.

Manchester United were the first club to try and sign Pep Guardiola in his last season at Barcelona, but it was the breakdown of a move to Juventus that upset the player most, according to his agent.

The Catalan playmaker was due to meet Sir Alex Ferguson for talks about a move in 2000, but the Premier League outfit did not want to wait and pulled out of the deal leaving it clear for other clubs.

A number of English clubs moved as well as Inter and AC Milan, but it was Juve whom Guardiola wanted to join, and when that chance went he was unhappy, Josep Maria Orobitg has revealed.

"Pep liked United because he saw a huge club that was the model for how to run an organisation, but he insisted that I only listened and said nothing until Joan Gaspart was approached first," Sport quote the agent as saying.

"Pep did not see things clearly. United became annoyed that everything was taking so long."

Towards the end of the 2000-01 season, Guardiola decided that he would leave Barcelona and after a press conference announcing his choice, Orobitg began to receive calls.

"The first call came from Inter, then Milan called followed by Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal," he continued.

"I met Inter in Milan and went to a sports complex where I spoke to their directors and they basically offered me a blank cheque.

"[President Massimo] Moratti did not want me to leave Milan without have signed a commitment for Pep to join Inter."

Juve then called and made it clear that they wanted to sign Guardiola. That was the move that the midfielder wanted most, and so he instructed Orobitg to push it through.

"Josep Maria, I would sign for Juve for less money and anything else. It is one of the dreams of my life," the agent recalled Pep telling him.

"Moggi then slapped his hand against the table and everyone else had to leave the room meaning that just Moggi, his son Delane and I remained."

Juve delayed the decision to sign Guardiola as they wanted to sell Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid first and by the time that deal had gone through the Turin-based outfit had changed their minds.

In the event, Guardiola moved to Brescia Calcio in 2001, but his stay in Italy proved to be an unhappy one.

Barcelona Could Move For Chelsea's Cech - Report

With Victor Valdes not settled at Barcelona, the Catalans have targeted Cech as a replacement...

Barcelona could make a move to sign Petr Cech from Chelsea this summer, with Victor Valdes potentially heading out of Camp Nou.

The Chelsea goalkeeper was widely regarded as one of the best in Europe when he moved to England and attracted interest from other clubs on the continent.

El Mundo Deportivo reports that one of those clubs that is still interested is Barcelona, who are having trouble with their No.1 goalkeeper.

Valdes has not yet signed a new contract with the Catalans, and it is believed that he is asking for more money than the club are willing to give him.

With his deal running out, Barcelona may well cash in on him if he does not extend his deal, and this would leave the door open for Cech.

The goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Barcelona before, and the Daily Mail quoted him as saying in 2007 that a move would have to be considered.

"Can I imagine staying in England? That I cannot answer. So far I have been very happy at Chelsea and I have started to love the Premier League. I have got used to life in London and my wife and I like it," he said.

"But in the case of Barcelona showing interest, yes, certainly it would be worth considering."

Two years down the line, it will be interesting to see what Cech's reaction will be were Barcelona to lodge an official bid for his services.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/03/31/1185092/barcelona-could-move-for-chelseas-cech-report

Mgoraf · 01-04-2009 10:36PM

Barcelona Could Turn To Diego Lopez To Replace Victor Valdes - Report
Spanish sports daily AS has reported that Barcelona could now finally turn their attention to Lopez to solve their goalkeeping issues. Villarreal had set a €20 million price tag on their custodian to fend off Atletico Madrid when they made an enquiry last month, but it’s an amount Barca would be able to afford, especially if they sell off Valdes before his June 2010 contract expiration.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/04/01/1185628/barcelona-could-turn-to-diego-lopez-to-replace-victor-valdes-repo
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Milito to play again this season
It has been almost a full year since Barcelona centre-back Gabriel Milito had to undergo surgery to repair the damaged anterior ligament in his right knee.
He has missed the entire 2008-09 season so far and with only ten more rounds to go in the Primera Division, he could potentially go the entire campaign without playing a single game.
But the 28-year-old has slowly returned to normal training to regain full fitness and many at the club believe his comeback is just around the corner. And the surgeon who operated on him 11 months ago, Dr. Ramon Cugat, has offered another glimpse of hope to the Blaugrana and the Argentine.
“I am optimistic and we hope that God will hear our prayers and we could see Milito playing at least a few games this season. His recovery is going very well,” he said in an interview with Radio Catalunya.
“But I want to make it clear that we should expect him to play the important games. If La Liga is settled soon, we could be available to get some playing time.”

Cugat then went on to reveal that he and his team of doctors had to progress very slowly with Milito's rehabilitation.
“His knee has been doing fine, but we have had to take things little by little because we did not want to overwork the player,” he stressed.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/04/01/1185418/barcelona-doctor-confident-gabriel-milito-will-play-this-season
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Keirrison In No Hurry To Leave Palmeiras
Keirrison has reiterated that he is no hurry to move to Europe and his agency have revealed that no bids have been made despite the rumours that several clubs have enquired.
The Palmeiras starlet was reported to have talked to Barcelona last week, while Milan and Liverpool are also said to be monitoring his situation and could move in the summer.
But the player himself has stated that he is happy in Brazil and while he is flattered by the interest, he is no hurry to make the move to England, Italy or Spain.
"There are always rumours about my exit, I have had several moments like this," Sky Sports quote Keirrison as saying.
"It shows that I am working well, but not only me it's the whole team and at the moment I am only thinking about Palmeiras."
Keirrison is part owned by Traffic Sports Marketing and the president of the company, Jose Hawilla, has insisted that no offeres have been received for the him.
"Keirrison has not been offered to anyone and he is intending to stay. He is not for sale," he explained.
"You see the sporting directors from clubs in Spain and Italy here all the time - nobody can prevent them coming. Last week, four from Germany came to watch games. But Keirrison is not for sale."

redout · 02-04-2009 10:08PM

Broadcasting Issues Could Blackout Vallodolid - Barcelona Match
The game might not be shown on television...

Valladolid's clash with Barcelona this weekend is danger of not being shown on television due to broadcasting issues.

The home side are part of the G-30 group, which composes of eight clubs from La Primera and all of the Segunda teams, and it is a deal they have with Audiovisual Sport that is threatening the match.

Sport reports that Javier Tebas, the vice-president of the Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional (LFP), which is the governing body in Spain, has urged the clubs of the G-30 to break their contract with Audiovisual.

If the deal is not broken then cameras could not be allowed into the ground and hence the match would not be shown on television.

As of today, it is not thought that the Valladolid directors are willing to change their mind on the situation, but that will have to change if the game is to be shown.

.This is not the first time that the G-30 clubs have threatened to upset fixtures in La Primera and a few seasons ago they nearly delayed the start of the campaign with their actions.

Bollox..........

Valdes Is The Best Goalkeeper In The World - Barcelona President
Laporta believes that his number one is the best in the world...

Joan Laporta has declared that Victor Valdes is the best goalkeeper in the world and that he would like to see Cesc Fabregas at Barcelona.

Valdes has been rumoured to be leaving the Catalan club due to contractual issues, mainly thought to be concerning his pay.

However, Laporta told Marca that he is "the best goalkeeper in the world" and will get "what he deserves" as far as his salary goes.

"I believe that he wants to continue and we will be fair with the amount we say so that we can arrive at an agreement," he explained.

Laporta went on to claim that being a Barcelona goalkeeper is "more difficult than at any other team" as "he saves few shots but always has to be on form".

The president also spoke about the possibility of bringing Fabregas to Barcelona, and admitted that it is something he would like to see.

"I would very much like to have Fabregas in a Barcelona shirt but the opinions of the coach is what makes the decisions. We know that he is a big player and that he would fit our style perfectly," he mused.

When asked if Fabregas' hypothetical arrival would give them the best midfield in the world, Laporta claimed that they already "have the best".

"Everything can improve, but the coach decides on things like this. I am sure that he would adapt to the system," he said.

In a rather contradictory statement, when asked about the rumoured interest of Real Madrid in Fabregas, the president said that he sees him at his current club, and "not" another.

"He is a player who is at home and is comfortable with Arsenal, it would show a lack of respect towards Arsenal to speak about this," he concluded.

LoL........

gimmick · 03-04-2009 08:06AM

http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5137164,00.html

BARCA CONFIRM FABREGAS FANCY
Posted 03/04/09 07:00

Arsenal Stage Of Elimination Stage Of Elimination: Semi Final 11/8

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed the club want to sign Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal lured Fabregas away from Barcelona as a teenager after he came through the club's youth ranks.

The 21-year-old has gone on to establish himself as one of the best young midfielders in Europe and a host of clubs have been credited with an interest in his services.

Fabregas has been continually linked with a return to his native Spain with both Barcelona and Real Madrid keen on signing him.

Laporta is a big admirer of the schemer and believes the player would fit perfectly into their style of play.

"I would like very much to see Cesc wearing the shirt of Barcelona," Laporta told Marca.

"He was formed in our academy and it's certain he would adapt to our system of play.

"We already have the best midfield in the world but you can always get better."

Arsenal, who are set to welcome Fabregas back from injury for this weekend's clash with Manchester City, would be loath to sell the Spaniard as he remains a key part of Arsene Wenger's plans.

Could do no harm I suppose. It would suggest one or two will be on the ay out though as how can places be found for everyone?

redout · 03-04-2009 10:27AM

Barca and their president are acting like fuking Calderon and Real Madrid last year over Ronaldo. I see no difference in it at all. Their president is openly saying they want the player and this is like the upteenth time he has said it in the media. Wenger must be nearing the end of his tether at this stage. I actually thought Barca had some class but obviously not.

Warper · 03-04-2009 03:23PM

One player i would love to see them get is Ribery, undoubtably one of the best players in the world atm.

redout · 06-04-2009 11:42AM

Champions League - Match facts: Barcelona v Bayern Munich

All the facts and figures ahead of Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona and Bayern are the joint top scorers in the competition with 24 goals apiece.

Miroslav Klose is the competition joint top scorer with seven goals.

The German side have won three and drawn one of their four games against Barcelona in Europe and tasted victory on both visits to Spain.

Bayern have lost only two of their last 18 matches in the Champions League and only one of the last nine on the road.

Bayern have only won one and lost five of the last seven Champions League matches against Spanish opposition.

Barcelona have only kept one clean sheet in their last nine Champions League matches.

Barcelona have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 Champions League matches against German opposition.

Barcelona's midfielder Xavi has supplied the most assists so far in the competition, five.

Of the teams remaining in the competition, Bayern have scored the most headed goals, four.

The Catalans have scored the most goals from outside the box in the competition, five.

Bayern have scored the most first half goals, 11, whereas Barcelona have scored the most in the second 45 minutes, 14.

eZe^ · 06-04-2009 07:38PM

Fact monster right there. Considering Bayern's hammering over the weekend, and Barca's much improved defence it'll be an interesting tie. Very attacking, but I think both Barca's attack and defence is better than their German counter parts. Bayern will be relying on Ribery and history to go their was if they wanna progress imo.

redout · 06-04-2009 07:53PM

No Lucio or Klose for Bayern on wednesday. Things just got a whole lot tougher for them.

Bayern Munich will be without injured central defender Lucio when they take on hosts Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Lucio, who sustained a muscle injury and was substituted during their 5-1 league defeat by Wolfsburg, will be out for several days.

"His participation for the Bundesliga match on Saturday against Eintracht Frankfurt is also doubtful," the club said on their website.

His fellow central defender Daniel van Buyten returned to Munich after travelling to Belgium for personal reasons and took part in training on Monday. But it was still unclear whether he would be available to play against Barcelona.

"We hope that he can now travel with us to Barcelona," coach Juergen Klinsmann said.

Bayern are also without injured striker Miroslav Klose who is out for several weeks following surgery but Italian striker Luca Toni returned to action and scored against Wolfsburg.

Bayern director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the club must quickly atone for the humiliating defeat by Wolfsburg which left them in fourth place, three points off the top with eight matches left.

"We clearly expect that the team bends over backwards now," Rummenigge told the club website. "It is now up to the team. The team has to shoulder the responsibility now."

Rummenigge also backed Klinsmann despite a less than impressive domestic league campaign in his first season in charge.

"The coach has accepted enough public criticism. But it is the team that is on the pitch.

"We have suffered now for two days and we will try to stand up again when we face Barcelona," Rummenigge said.

"This is nearly a mission impossible but through experience we know that wonders do happen in football."

redout · 06-04-2009 08:12PM

A not so encouraging stat I just plucked from Uefa.

Barcelona having conceded eleven goals, more than any of the other quarter-finalists have the worst defensive record of the teams remaining in the competition.

Mgoraf · 06-04-2009 10:53PM

Barcelona are poised to test Juventus with bids for Gianluigi Buffon and David Trezeguet, despite both the agents of both player stating that they are unlikely to move.

The Blaugrana have been planning their summer rebuilding plans for over three months and the Italian goalkeeper and the French striker have been on their shopping list since the beginning.

Last summer, when Samuel Eto'o appeared to be set to leave Camp Nou, coach Pep Guardiola told technical secretary Txiki Begiristain that Trezeguet was his number one choice as a replacement.

Now the Catalan outfit are planning to make their interest concrete with a bid that could see Juve have to weigh up whether they can afford to hold on to their stars, Il Corriere dello Sport states.

Victor Valdes' position at Barcelona is the same as Eto'o's, with both players due to have contract talks about new deals. Both are still uncertain whether they will be offered what they believe they are worth.

Several goalkeepers have been linked with Barca already this season, however, Buffon would be the number one choice and his agent, Silvano Martina, has admitted that should an offer be made it would have to be considered.

Eto'o claims to have made up his mind regarding whether he will stay or go this summer, with the options being to pen a new deal or be sold. If he decides to leave, Guardiola would prefer Trezeguet to the much-touted David Villa due to his greater physique.
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I remember them being linked with Trezeguet alot last summer....

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Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has emerged as a transfer target for Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, with the club set to make a massive bid to prise the player from Ashburton Grove in the summer.

English tabloid The Daily Mirror reports that, at 25-years old, Van Persie has a desire to win trophies, something which he is concerned may not happen with the Gunners for the foreseeable future.

Despite a bumper new contract being offered by Arsene Wenger, the player stated recently, “Economically the offer from Arsenal is good, but this is not everything for me.

“The most important thing are my ambitions and how these can be met.”

Guardiola and technical director Txiki Beguiristain are thought to be long-time admirers of the Dutchman, and it is thought that if a bid were to come in then Van Persie would seriously consider the move to advance his career.

The Mirror believes that Barcelona are lining up a €31m bid to test Arsenal’s desire to retain one of their most prized assets, and Van Persie himself will be offered in the region of €5m a year to swap London for Catalonia.

Van Persie moved to Arsenal in 2004 for a fee of €3m from Dutch side Feyenoord, and has made over 100 appearances for the Gunners.

Kirnsy · 06-04-2009 11:01PM

tbh with adeboyar, eduardo, vela, bendtner in the squad. plus walcott who's favourite position is striker, plus the possibility of playing arshavin behind the main forward, we could afford to lose RVP for €20m+. A tidy sum to invest in other areas of the team that we are not as well stocked in.

ps. f**K off and leave fabregas alone

redout · 06-04-2009 11:09PM

Kirnsy wrote: »

ps. f**K off and leave fabregas alone

eZe^ · 06-04-2009 11:12PM

Kirnsy wrote: »

ps. f**K off and leave fabregas alone

Well Wenger's slimey hands in the first place were the reason we lost Fabregas. Anyway, we have superior players in our midfield, no need for him for another few years anyway.

Kirnsy · 07-04-2009 09:14PM

eZe^ wrote: »

Well Wenger's slimey hands in the first place were the reason we lost Fabregas. Anyway, we have superior players in our midfield, no need for him for another few years anyway.

owch..... mr yaya toure must really be some player

eZe^ · 07-04-2009 10:12PM

Kirnsy wrote: »

owch..... mr yaya toure must really be some player

He's turned your lot down a few times anyway, and that's with the influence of nepotism...

CantGetNoSleep · 07-04-2009 11:13PM

Lucio and Van Buyten both out for Bayern tomorrow

redout · 08-04-2009 12:35PM

Barcelona To Clash With Milan In Friendly Benefit For Earthquake Victims
The Catalan chief is showing his hand in an attempt to offer support to the Italians following the L'Aquila earthquake...

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has proposed a friendly match with Milan, with the proceeds of the event going towards helping the victims of the earthquake.

The Rossoneri have already promised financial help for those who have been affected by the disaster which has claimed 251 lives so far in L'Aquila, central Italy.

There is now the possibility of a glamour friendly between the giants of European football in order to help the rescue operation even further. Laporta has confirmed that he has been making plans to organise a game as the Spanish club lend their support to an Italian cause.

"I phoned my friend Adriano Galliani proposing to play a friendly between Barcelona and Milan," Laporta told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"The money raised will go to all the families which have been affected by the tragedy of the recent earthquake."

Ronaldinho and Gianluca Zambrotta would be up against their old team-mates if the Rossoneri agree to staging the match.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/04/08/1198307/barcelona-to-clash-with-milan-in-friendly-match

redout · 08-04-2009 12:37PM

Champions League - Team news: Toure, Hleb play

Barcelona midfielders Yaya Toure and Alexander Hleb have recovered from minor injuries and are in the squad for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich.

Ivory Coast international Toure (pictured) and Hleb of Belarus were suffering from leg muscle strains and missed the league leaders' 1-0 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday.

Hleb is unlikely to be in coach Pep Guardiola's starting line-up but defensive midfielder Toure could be an important factor in stopping Bayern playmaker Franck Ribery.

Guardiola singled out the Frenchman and Italian striker Luca Toni as a key threat to the Catalans' hopes of progressing to the semi-finals, where they would play Liverpool or Chelsea.

"Ribery is a player with a big personality and great all-round ability," Guardiola said.

"Toni is a different kind of player, very intelligent and particularly dangerous in the penalty area," added the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, who played with Toni during a stint at Italian club Brescia.

Guardiola suggested Bayern had a small advantage in being able to play the second leg of the last eight tie at home on April 14 and said his side would be aiming to attack the Germans from the start of Wednesday's clash.

"We will play the ball around as usual and try to create rhythm and tempo and make it difficult for Bayern to get the ball," he said.

"We are going to have to be at our very highest level to score goals and we know that at this level your mistakes are punished ruthlessly, especially against a team like Bayern."

Bayern defender Daniel van Buyten will miss the trip to Spain because of personal reasons.

"The team left on Tuesday midday without Van Buyten for the match against Barcelona," the club said on their website.

Van Buyten is the second central defender to be ruled out, after Brazilian Lucio picked up a muscle injury in Bayern's 5-1 defeat against Wolfsburg on Saturday and will be out for several days.

Coach Juergen Klinsmann is expected to rely on Martin Demichelis and 19-year-old Brazilian Breno to harness the Spaniards' pace.

He also brought in Holger Badstuber from the reserve team.

Van Buyten, who had travelled back to Belgium to deal with family affairs days ago, briefly returned to Munich but left again shortly before the team was set to fly out.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/08042009/58/champions-league-team-news-toure-hleb-play.html

redout · 13-04-2009 09:45AM

Bought tickets to the Getafe v Barca game this morning. Never been to the actual ticket desk in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez before as I usually by from the internet but was shocked to see half the first team squad sitting in the tiny cafeteria next to the ticket desk. Very open friendly setup. One can walk right up to the players and join them as the cafeteria is open to the public. I met 'Cata' Díaz (mean looking bastard) and ex-Real Madrid man Soldado. Quite a pleasant surprise.

gimmick · 15-04-2009 09:57AM

www.football365.com

Both The Daily Mirror and The Daily Mail report that Barcelona have joined the queue of suitors for one Daniel Agger.

While AC Milan and Juventus have reportedly had a long-standing interest in the Danish defender, but the papers claim that Barca are now also sniffing around Agger, who is in the middle of discussions to extend his contract, which runs out next summer.

A worrying passage for Liverpool in the Mail suggests that Agger might be thinking of doing one, with plenty of options to consider:

'He is in no hurry to commit himself and is believed to have indicated to friends that he will delay any decision until the summer, when he will weigh up a variety of options.'

Interesting. I would far prefer Barca bolstered the defensive options rather than the attacking ones. Apart from Pique and Puyol I do not really trust and of the others, and even then....................

redout · 18-04-2009 11:02PM

Some pics I took at tonights Barca v Getafe match. Had great seats directly behind the Barca dugout.

My Favourite is Marquez receiving a ear-bashing off Pep

~Rebel~ · 19-04-2009 12:23AM

Some great pictures there, really like the Iniesta one, makes him look even more like a vampire!

On a side note, would you mind me asking how much the equipment costs to get that level of quality?

redout · 19-04-2009 12:56AM

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Some great pictures there, really like the Iniesta one, makes him look even more like a vampire!

On a side note, would you mind me asking how much the equipment costs to get that level of quality?

No special equipment. I had an Olympus and the girlfriend had a Panasonic which cost about €250 each. That was obviously nothing compared to the photographers beside us with 100x zoom lenses ! Some of the pics have good detail because we were sitting right behind the dugout. The Iniesta one was down to luck more than anything else if being honest although it did come off quite well

The getafe stadium is so small that the technical box is only about 3-5 yards in length as its right up against the pitch