FC Barcelona Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Warper · 29-06-2009 03:16PM

gimmick wrote: »

Kerrison will do pre season with Barca, then Guardiola decides whether or not to hold onto him.

Benzem as an adequate replacement for Eto'o? Don't make me laugh. Decent player, but not (yet?) in the same class as Eto'o. The only adequate replacement would be David Villa.

C'mon Benzema is more than decent. I think Benzema is only 21 and can only improve. He isnt as prolific as E'too yet but there are only a handful of top-class strikers available and he is definitely one of them.

gimmick · 29-06-2009 03:19PM

I would not be against Barca buying him, but he has had an indifferent season with Lyon. He is deffo not worth the nmoney being touted at the moment. He would eb a decnt buy as a back up striker for now, one for the future, but there is no way Barca, or anyone for that matter, should be spending €25m+ for him.

yahoo_moe · 29-06-2009 03:20PM

JPA wrote: »

Eto'o is probably the last bad egg in the dressing room.

Yet last season Laporta and Guardiola were full of praise for how he'd knuckled down and proven his worth, etc.

I really think it'll be very bad for Barca if he leaves, no matter what else happens. Henry's almost 32, while Eto'o's only a few months past 28 and can play wide in a front 3 as well as being the spearhead. If Barca want Villa, fine* - but for me, their plan for 2010-2012 should then be a front three of Messi-Villa-Eto'o to minimise disruption.

But I don't think anyone will replace him, at least not instantly.

Agree with this, terrifying player when he's on form, as he was last year after a dip for a couple of seasons.

* Though personally I'd keep Eto'o for now - if it ain't broke and all that...

gimmick · 29-06-2009 03:31PM

http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5405954,00.html

365 reporting he aint going to Man City and may sit out the year to disrupt things. However, this was lifted from Marca I think, so pinch of salt.

Headshot · 29-06-2009 03:34PM

gimmick wrote: »

http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5405954,00.html

365 reporting he aint going to Man City and may sit out the year to disrupt things. However, this was lifted from Marca I think, so pinch of salt.

no his agent was on Spanish radio when he said it

gimmick · 30-06-2009 11:10AM

[/QUOTE]

Headshot · 30-06-2009 11:28AM

barca offer eto'o new 2 yr contract

sorce ssn

gimmick · 30-06-2009 11:30AM

Says that on goal.com also, but no article.

I would be happy enough with that. Does this mean that Villa is certainly not coming? Remains to be seen I guess.

JPA · 30-06-2009 12:41PM

Seems to me that Barca realise they have an asset worth £20 million or more and with Eto'o announcing he wants to stay they have realised he will leave on a Bosman without a new contract.

He'll sign it or he'll leave, I can't see him leaving on a Bosman.

ShoulderChip · 30-06-2009 01:54PM

The City fans on blue moon (city forum) are 100% convinced that Eto'o is going to sign for them, there is some debacle about a loyalty payment from barca that he is trying to get first, they believe that after a few days of bad press it will go through

yahoo_moe · 30-06-2009 02:02PM

JPA wrote: »

He'll sign it or he'll leave, I can't see him leaving on a Bosman.

Well that's what Barca would hope - but I'm not sure Eto'o necessarily sees it the same way. Say what you like about his motivation, but they tried to flog him last year and he still put in a phenomenal season for the club this year so I could see him riding out the year so that he benefits from a transfer rather than the club. He'd be well entitled too as well, given how the club seems to be acting.

ShoulderChip wrote:

they believe that after a few days of bad press it will go through

Hmm, maybe - but it still seems oddly reminiscent of Milan trying to sell them Kaka and the player being the one with doubts about the move.

Mr Alan · 04-07-2009 02:36AM

possible new signing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aNFzWGTemw

gimmick · 07-07-2009 12:06PM

http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5418474,00.html

PUYOL NOT INTERESTED IN CITY TRADE

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has distanced himself from a move to Manchester City and revealed he is currently in talks over a new deal.

City are keen to splash the cash this summer and are determined to pull off a major coup to highlight the fact they mean business in the transfer market.

City boss Mark Hughes has already had a reported £35million bid for Chelsea captain John Terry turned down this week resulting in suggestions in Spain that he had now turned his attentions to Barcelona's Puyol.

However it seems the City boss is set to be rejected again after the Barca skipper expressed a desire to remain with the Catalan club.

"The truth is that today I am very calm," the 31-year-old said.

"I am contracted for another year at Barcelona and now we are working on the negotiations of a new deal.

"I have enjoyed every season here and I want to stay here. For me there is no problem and I am not interested in the rumours in the papers."

The Spaniard admits that captaining the club to a remarkable treble last term was 'spectacular' but he is already focused on topping that next term.

The defender is desperate to retain their Champions League crown they won in Rome in May against Manchester United in the Bernabeu next season, where next year's final will take place.

"We must win the Champions League another time," he added. "To win the title and in the stadium Santiago Bernabeu it will be enormous for the fans."

Seems very generic really. The name Man City just seems to be thrown in there at random. Can never see Puyol playing elsewhere tbh.

Valdes has signed a new deal until 2014. Personally I am happy with this. I think he gets an awful lot of stick. He makes mistakes like all keepers. No more or no less though

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/07/n090707105820.html

fillmore jive · 07-07-2009 09:16PM

gimmick wrote: »

http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5418474,00.html

Valdes has signed a new deal until 2014. Personally I am happy with this. I think he gets an awful lot of stick. He makes mistakes like all keepers. No more or no less though

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/07/n090707105820.html

I think Valdes is the weakest member on the squad. Everyone gives Barca alot of stick for their defense but I think VV is the main fault. He should stick to Prison Break.

Davaeo09 · 08-07-2009 12:18PM

Well I think, I am going to disagree with what you think :P

Barca have always had a player or two on form all through the season
At first it was Messi and Xavi, buzzing after the summer tournament wins. Then it was Messi and Alves, then Alves and Iniesta, then just Iniesta, for a few weeks Henry looked great, then when Iniesta was injured Eto'o rose to the occasion. For the last 1/4 of the season Iniesta and Xavi peaked, but, in the last 3 Champions league games, Valdez was amazing.

he Drogba out twice, and in the final pulled off some more than decent saves.

Let me put it to you this way, if he is a weakness and needs to be replaced, who do you think should replace him? Cassilias? - never going to happen, Cech? - ditto!

gimmick · 10-07-2009 01:56PM

Barca full fixture list for the season. Obviously there will be tinkering with the World Club Championships in December

1. Round 31/08/2009 18:00 H Sporting Gijón -:-

2. Round 12/09/2009 A Getafe CF -:-

3. Round 19/09/2009 H Atlético Madrid -:-

4. Round 22/09/2009 A Racing Santander -:-

5. Round 26/09/2009 A Málaga CF -:-

6. Round 03/10/2009 H UD Almería -:-

7. Round 17/10/2009 A Valencia CF -:-

8. Round 24/10/2009 H Real Zaragoza -:-

9. Round 31/10/2009 A CA Osasuna -:-

10. Round 07/11/2009 H RCD Mallorca -:-

11. Round 21/11/2009 A Athletic Bilbao -:-

12. Round 28/11/2009 H Real Madrid -:-

15. Round 01/12/2009 A Xerez CD -:-

13. Round 05/12/2009 A Deportivo La Coruña -:-

14. Round 12/12/2009 H Espanyol Barcelona -:-

16. Round 02/01/2010 H Villarreal CF -:-

17. Round 09/01/2010 A CD Tenerife -:-

18. Round 16/01/2010 H Sevilla FC -:-

19. Round 23/01/2010 A Real Valladolid -:-

20. Round 30/01/2010 A Sporting Gijón -:-

21. Round 06/02/2010 H Getafe CF -:-

22. Round 13/02/2010 A Atlético Madrid -:-

23. Round 20/02/2010 H Racing Santander -:-

24. Round 27/02/2010 H Málaga CF -:-

25. Round 06/03/2010 A UD Almería -:-

26. Round 13/03/2010 H Valencia CF -:-

27. Round 20/03/2010 A Real Zaragoza -:-

28. Round 23/03/2010 H CA Osasuna -:-

29. Round 27/03/2010 A RCD Mallorca -:-

30. Round 03/04/2010 H Athletic Bilbao -:-

31. Round 10/04/2010 A Real Madrid -:-

32. Round 13/04/2010 H Deportivo La Coruña -:-

33. Round 17/04/2010 A Espanyol Barcelona -:-

34. Round 24/04/2010 H Xerez CD -:-

35. Round 01/05/2010 A Villarreal CF -:-

36. Round 04/05/2010 H CD Tenerife -:-

37. Round 08/05/2010 A Sevilla FC -:-

38. Round 15/05/2010 H Real Valladolid

eZe^ · 10-07-2009 02:04PM

So it looks like Villa is in and Eto'o will be departing, that is basically a straight swap so not alot of tinkering is going to have to be done. Also there is a strong youth flavour with the likes of Bojan/ Kerrisson, so it'll be interesting to see if Pep tries to sign another established striker....

gimmick · 13-07-2009 02:47PM

Good article this.

Must Barça Match Madrid This Summer?

The reaction from the non-Madridista world over the club's series of prime-time presentations has ranged from 'nuts' to suggestions that the stage-managed events would even have got Leni Riefenstahl's juices flowing.

Nevertheless, Florentino Pérez has achieved the desired results by grabbing the world's media (and marketing) attention, energising the Madrid base by banishing the memory of Julien Faubert and perhaps most importantly of all, putting the willies up Barcelona.

Unfairly or not, the press narrative in Spain no longer concerns Barcelona's brilliant treble-winning season. Instead, it's all about how the Catalan club is going to respond to Madrid's multimillion dollar refit.

Whilst the local Barça press huffed and puffed for a number of weeks arguing that changes weren't really needed to Pep Guardiola's side, the panic-stricken football daily, Sport, broke ranks this week by demanding immediate signings.

The problem is that Barça's bosses would like nothing more than to tinker with the team but are fairly powerless to do so due to financial restraints and the unpredictability of Samuel Eto'o.

And these are the two big issues that are starting to eat away at club president, Joan Laporta.

Having begun the summer by chuckling that he was 'treble calm' about the return of Florentino Pérez to Madrid, Laporta has slowly returned to his default setting - easily-rattled and more than a little mouthy.

This change in demeanour further accelerated when stories were published in both the Madrid and Barcelona press claiming that the relationship with Pep Guardiola had broken down due to the failure to carry out his manager's transfer demands.

Laporta's claims of being as cool-as-a-cucumber over Madrid's signings now resemble Monica from Friends informing her ex-boyfriend of her breeziness by leaving an answerphone message claiming "I'm breezy." You cannot be it, if you have to say it.

Being one of the smartest cookies in the tin, Guardiola knew that resting on his football laurels after last season would be fatal and that touches had to be made to his squad over the summer.

His biggest demand was that Samuel Eto'o be moved out and replaced by David Villa. However, this change has run into problems on both fronts.

The Cameroon goalscorer is sitting on a contact that ends in 2010 and would reportedly like an extension and a hefty pay rise to go with it. The club have offered just a two-year extension to his current deal - an offer that has apparently being turned down.

The world 'apparently' is used at this point because Laporta admitted, on Wednesday night, that he cannot speak to his striker to get his final answer.

"I've tried to ring him a couple of times but he is not taking my calls" admitted Barcelona's big cheese.

Not knowing where mad Sammy's head is at means that Barcelona are unable to make a formal bid for David Villa, a situation that is not helped by the institutional chaos at Valencia where up to four people appear to be in charge of the club, all with different ideas on what to do with the Spanish international.

"The fact that there is no stability here is not good for anyone," sighed Villa this week, hinting that his days in Mestalla are numbered.

As well as a new forward, Barcelona are also on the hunt for a fullback, with Deportivo's Filipe Luis currently on the radar, as as well as a midfielder and a central defender.

Ideally, they would need to be as cheap as chips as Barcelona's coffers are not in the healthiest of states with the club's debts hovering on the wrong side of 400m euro.

Despite winning nearly everything there was to be won, last season, Barcelona's profit after an incredible campaign is reportedly between two and six million euro - a startling fact that best illustrates the lunacy of football finances.

However, the Catalan club was not helped by having to blow 39m euros on win bonuses for last season's campaign and being forced to cough up 60m euro after the club lost a legal battle over unpaid tv rights. El Pais writes that Barcelona are sniffing around for a 35m euro bank credit to help them with some summer splurging.

As it stands, the beginning of the Spanish season is still seven weeks away. However, an impatient Pep Guardiola wanted his changes implemented before the club's pre-season began - something that simply hasn't happened.

But Barça are still a fairly decent outfit and arguably remain better than the rebuilt Real Madrid set-up. As Johan Cruyff said, this week, "Barcelona have a firm footballing base, have won titles but are just lacking a few details."

However, the previously cocksure local press have started to react negatively to Real Madrid's galactic presentations and are asking for more of the same in the Catalan capital, irrespective of whether the club can afford it or if it is required.

In response, Laporta and co need to take a deep breath, play the long game and realise that it is their club that has the bulging trophy cabinet and not some nouveau-riche upstarts in Madrid.

Tim Stannard

eZe^ · 15-07-2009 09:38PM

Barca have just signed Maxwell for less than 5 million euro from Inter. That's an excellent deal, and it came from nowhere, which shows that stating your desire to sign a player only bumps their price up. A better than adequate replacement for Sylvinho, and a nice bit of competition for Abidal. Delighted with that signing tbh, a good wingback for Barca. He may be able to play his way into the Brazil national team for the WC too if he can impress. Looks like the Felipe deal fell through, although if possible I would still like to sign him as he'll be around the same price, and will add even more depth to the defense...

Now all we need is a midfielder (gutted that Lucho went from Porto to Marseilles), and a number nine (Villa/ Forlan if Eto'o leaves, Guize/ Llorente otherwise as a nice backup). Hopefully we won't get ripped off in this transfer market seeing as players like Glen Johnson are now costing 17 million, and we payed over 24 for Dani Alves!

Morf · 15-07-2009 11:58PM

eZe^ wrote: »

Barca have just signed Maxwell for less than 5 million euro from Inter. That's an excellent deal, and it came from nowhere, which shows that stating your desire to sign a player only bumps their price up. A better than adequate replacement for Sylvinho, and a nice bit of competition for Abidal. Delighted with that signing tbh, a good wingback for Barca. He may be able to play his way into the Brazil national team for the WC too if he can impress. Looks like the Felipe deal fell through, although if possible I would still like to sign him as he'll be around the same price, and will add even more depth to the defense...

Now all we need is a midfielder (gutted that Lucho went from Porto to Marseilles), and a number nine (Villa/ Forlan if Eto'o leaves, Guize/ Llorente otherwise as a nice backup). Hopefully we won't get ripped off in this transfer market seeing as players like Glen Johnson are now costing 17 million, and we payed over 24 for Dani Alves!

Hands off Llorente! We need him for the Europa league!

Davaeo09 · 16-07-2009 11:24AM

Ideal signing, low key and low costing.

Now all we need is a physical mid fielder like Mascherano and a striker.

whatawaster · 16-07-2009 11:30AM

Davaeo09 wrote: »

Ideal signing, low key and low costing.

Now all we need is a physical mid fielder like Mascherano and a striker.

**** ***

yahoo_moe · 16-07-2009 02:19PM

gimmick wrote: »

Barca full fixture list for the season. Obviously there will be tinkering with the World Club Championships in December

I know eZe and redout have given good answers on this before, but just wanted to check - am I right in saying that tickets are freely available to most home Barca matches with the exception of Real and Espanyol? And can they be ordered online in advance or would I have to wait till I get to the city itself?

An Citeog · 16-07-2009 03:30PM

yahoo_moe wrote: »

I know eZe and redout have given good answers on this before, but just wanted to check - am I right in saying that tickets are freely available to most home Barca matches with the exception of Real and Espanyol? And can they be ordered online in advance or would I have to wait till I get to the city itself?

I'm not sure if you can buy them online (I think you probably can) but you're right, there shouldn't be any problem getting tickets over there. Your best bet would probably be to go to the Camp Nou the day before the match and do the stadium tour etc and then buy your tickets while you're there.

gimmick · 16-07-2009 03:54PM

You can buy over the phone from one month before a game. You can buy online from 2 weeks before a game I think. For most games, you can buy a ticket on the day at a kiosk in Barcelona City or at one of the box offices at the Camp Nou.

Certainly for Real you would need to go the tout route or know a season ticket holder who aint using his. I looked into it last year and the cheapest ticket I could find was €400ish and that was at the top of the top tier.

Davaeo09 wrote: »

Now all we need is a physical mid fielder like Mascherano and a striker.

Not saying I would not like Mascherano, but there is nothing wrong with what is currently there. Toure is criminally under rated and I think we all saw Sergio Busquets become a man in the CL final with his utterly flawless display. Agreed on the striker issue, but maybe Bojan could flourish this season. He showed glimpses toward the end of the season gone. And also remember Kerrison will be joining up with the squad on Monday for Pep to run the rule over him.

yahoo_moe · 16-07-2009 09:38PM

gimmick wrote: »

Not saying I would not like Mascherano, but there is nothing wrong with what is currently there.

Exactly, there's no reason Barca should be looking to replace Toure unless someone on an absolutely different level is going to come in. And while Mascherano's very very good, I don't think the improvement (if any) would be worth the upheaval.

Also, if people are assuming Eto'o will go... where to?

kinaldo · 17-07-2009 07:44AM

Spanish reports that Barca have signed Ibrahimovic for 40 million euros and Eto'o in exchange.

Inter are getting an incredible deal with that, Ibra won't be able to replace Eto'o imo.

gimmick · 17-07-2009 08:19AM

I know very little of Ibra so will have to hold my fire on making any comments on his abiolity to replace Eto'o, but the price tag seesm rather inflated. Strikes me as it being a case of Barca being happy to get shut of Eto'o and Hleb (who is going on loan for a season). Of course that sounds crazy when you factor in the €40m.

gimmick · 17-07-2009 08:33AM

Sky Sports News reporting its only at discussion stage now. No deal is done yet.

JPA · 17-07-2009 09:14AM

I don't want to argue about how good or not Zlatan is but that price seems insanely inflated. Halve the €40 million and you might start to think it's a decent deal. It's not like Zlatan is a young kid.

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