Topic: FC Barcelona

[Kovai Red]

According to Balague, we are about to sign Luis Alberto from Barca's B-team. He is a 20-year-old Seville player, who was on loan with Barca's B-team for a season. His stats in the Segunda Division this season were pretty impressive, with 11 goals and 18 assists in 37 appearances. It seems that Barca have declined their €4 million option to sign him permanently, but that doesn't means he is not good enough. I have watched some Barca B-team games this season, and I am pretty impressed with what I have seen of Luis Alberto. An additional insight from our friends who are watching Barca's B-team regularly would be appreciated.

Seriously it seems you watch lots of football from all over the world. Is that your profession orelse what do you do for your living?

[Dani LFC]

Seriously it seems you watch lots of football from all over the world. Is that your profession orelse what do you do for your living?

I have recently went into early retirement due to health reasons. Watching football was always my hobby, but now I have even more time to do it. By the way, I used to play the game until the age of 17, but my career was cut short by a major injury (and subsequent surgeries).

[Kovai Red]

I have recently went into early retirement due to health reasons. Watching football was always my hobby, but now I have even more time to do it. By the way, I used to play the game until the age of 17, but my career was cut short by a major injury (and subsequent surgeries).

Hmmm. Feel sorry for you 

[Dani LFC]

Hmmm. Feel sorry for you 

Thank you, mate. Still, there is a good thing about it. Now I actually have time to spend with my kids. 

[El Lobo]

What else is there to do in Macedonia besides watching football?

[Kovai Red]

Thank you, mate. Still, there is a good thing about it. Now I actually have time to spend with my kids. 

But it looks like you are spending your time watching other kids play

[Dani LFC]

But it looks like you are spending your time watching other kids play

Mate, my kids also love watching and playing the game. I have high hopes for them, especially for the younger one. 

[Kovai Red]

Mate, my kids also love watching and playing the game. I have high hopes for them, especially for the younger one. 

All the best to them mate. Let them achieve in what you have failed

[Dani LFC]

All the best to them mate. Let them achieve in what you have failed

 

[.adam]

What else is there to do in Macedonia besides watching football?

[Kovai Red]

What else is there to do in Macedonia besides watching football?

Cheeky. Seriously Dani LFC reminds me of him.

[lorenzo23]

Does it really matter if it is him? seems to bring lot of information to the table regardless. Anyway what is this lads best attributes ?? would he be pushing for Allen and Henderson spot or Gerrard? can he play in 433? left or right? 

for 4m euros can't be much of loss if he turns out crap in 2/3 years.

[Dani LFC]

Anyway what is this lads best attributes ?? would he be pushing for Allen and Henderson spot or Gerrard? can he play in 433? left or right?

From what I have seen of him, he has played as a central attacking midfielder, or as a left sided forward at Barca's B-team. There are certainly people in this thread who have watched him more regularly, so they would probably tell us.

[Dani LFC]

Barcelona's Bojan Krkic linked to Premier League as AC Milan deal played down

By Lucas Brown
Last Updated: May 30, 2013

Bojan Krkic's father has revealed that his son is keen to go to a club where he will play regularly and is unlikely to spend next season with AC Milan.

The 22-year-old forward has been on loan at the San Siro from Barcelona for the past 12 months but the Serie A club are not thought to be keen on arranging a new deal.

Liverpool and Swansea City have been linked with Bojan and his father believes Barca could be tempted to part with the player after signing Neymar.

"I am convinced that Bojan has the quality to play for Barca, but his priority is to go to a team where he will have plenty of playing time," said the player's father, also named Bojan Krkic.

"Milan are happy with his progress, but they do not want to loan him again because they cannot guarantee him minutes.

"We have not talked to Barcelona yet because we want to see what Milan say first and because they are tied up with the arrival of Neymar."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/8742668/

[B0151?]

Abidal been released

[Popcorn]

Hope we go nowhere near Bojan.

[Tomaldinho]

Not fussed about Bojan, haven't seen anything to think he'd be an upgrade on Borini

[Xxavi]

Abidal has now been released by Barca. He wanted to stay, but he has to understand Barca and not put Barca in a tough spot. He already did in press conference really saying he wanted to stay. He probably is honest, but on the other hand, Barca paid his multimillion dollar contract and treatment for 2 years that he wasn't playing or barely playing. If he wanted to stay for a low wage, I think it'd be OK, but Barca would be in a weird spot to offer that. It should have come from Abidal.

Extending him again, fully knowing that he will not be a first team player, that he is ageing and that he is not fully fit... too much to ask.

Tito's situation mirrors this really, and again, Barca are in a tough spot. Just like Abidal last summer, Barca cannot release/fire Tito. But he should be man enough to admit that in his condition, back and forth between New York and Barcelona, is not going to end well for neither him nor Barca. But just like Abidal, work is something that is connecting Tito to life, so he is not willing to let it go.

[rafathegaffa83]

Victor Valdes has announced at a press conference that he's seeing out his contract at Barcelona and 2013/14 will be his last season.

[Dani LFC]

David Villa considering offers as Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham in for Barca ace

By Joe Mewis
31 May 2013

Barcelona striker David Villa is reportedly weighing up offers from Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham as he looks set for a Premier League move.

According to Spanish website Sport.es, the all-time leading Spain goalscorer has decided his future lies away from the Spanish champions and has decided on a Premier League move.

Arsenal are in the driving seat to land the Barcelona striker who is available for €14million, following their qualification for next season's Champions League.

As we previously revealed, Spurs have been in negotiations with Barca, but their failure to qualify for the Europe's top competition puts them at a disadvantage.

At Anfield, Pepe Reina has been keen to emphasise to his international team-mate that with a new structure in place, Liverpool are again ready to challenge for honours.

Villa is keen to play regular first-team football next season, as he eyes a place in the Spanish team at the World Cup in Brazil.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-villa-wanted-arsenal-tottenham-1923865?

[Xxavi]

Victor Valdes has announced at a press conference that he's seeing out his contract at Barcelona and 2013/14 will be his last season.

Valdes said he is exhausted. I think almost every player in Barca squad is exhausted at this point.

It's a shame Barca cannot find a good replacement. Not sure how can he perform at top level if he isn't motivated at Barca any more.

[Mad Max]

Barcelona v Malaga on live tonight.

[lorenzo23]

Valdes said he is exhausted. I think almost every player in Barca squad is exhausted at this point.

It's a shame Barca cannot find a good replacement. Not sure how can he perform at top level if he isn't motivated at Barca any more.

Exhausted from doing what? he hardly has to make a save most of times. I can't wait for him to leave Barca lets see if everyone thinks he that good in lower standard team.

[TepidT2O]

Signing Neymar.....

Are Barça becoming a team of galacticos?


Their success was built from home grown stars and their fallow periods seem to have coincided with just signing stars.


I'm sure they'll still finish in the top two in la liga, but perhaps the essence of their success is diluted now?

[OsirisMVZ]

Neymar will be the Plan B that Zlatan was supposed to be.

[HighSix]

Signing Neymar.....

Are Barça becoming a team of galacticos?


Their success was built from home grown stars and their fallow periods seem to have coincided with just signing stars.


I'm sure they'll still finish in the top two in la liga, but perhaps the essence of their success is diluted now?

Thats a bit of a myth as since 2000 pretty much each summer they have brought in creative/ attacking talent in either a star , a hyped up player of that season or the next big thing....

Overmars, Saviola, Riquelme, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Henry, Hleb, Villa, Ibra, Afellay, Sanchez & now Neymar.

[lorenzo23]

Signing Neymar.....

Are Barça becoming a team of galacticos?


Their success was built from home grown stars and their fallow periods seem to have coincided with just signing stars.


I'm sure they'll still finish in the top two in la liga, but perhaps the essence of their success is diluted now?

Guess you don't watch Barca much they buy star every season no different to Real(just Real buy 1,2,3 stars)

[Xxavi]

Exhausted from doing what? he hardly has to make a save most of times. I can't wait for him to leave Barca lets see if everyone thinks he that good in lower standard team.

Mental exhaustion does not correlate with the amount of work you do. After you win everything, you naturally cannot push yourself much. It becomes a bit of a routine.

Don't know, even in my own job, after finishing a big project, it's very difficult to start the next one. I can go weeks not doing much.

[lorenzo23]

Mental exhaustion does not correlate with the amount of work you do. After you win everything, you naturally cannot push yourself much. It becomes a bit of a routine.

Don't know, even in my own job, after finishing a big project, it's very difficult to start the next one. I can go weeks not doing much.

That's fair point but reality is he will regret leaving.

[TepidT2O]

Guess you don't watch Barca much they buy star every season no different to Real(just Real buy 1,2,3 stars)

But the core of their team that has broken records has been homegrown.

They've never quite gone for real type players.

I think I'm trying to say that they've lost their way somewhat!

[thegoodfella]

Woof, that was a pass and a half from Iniesta.

Good goal Villa.

[TepidT2O]

See, told you they were finished

[Bird Bird Bird The Bird Is The Word]

Incredible pass for that goal.

[TepidT2O]

They're just playing like this to humiliate me now.


Bastards.

[TepidT2O]

A flukey third just to nail their point home.

[rafathegaffa83]

Exhausted from doing what?

Probably the expectation of having to continually win and be better than the previous season. Perhaps, also he sees this as a good time to leave. Most of the Spanish players on the Barcelona team have been playing non-stop for the past 4+ years going deep into continental, domestic and international competitions. You have to wonder how much longer Barcelona can sustain success. Graham Hunter's book on Barcelona notes that Xavi suffers from long-term Achilles problems with no rest. Puyol is injured more now than he actually plays.

[thegoodfella]

Probably the expectation of having to continually win and be better than the previous season. Perhaps, also he sees this as a good time to leave. Most of the Spanish players on the Barcelona team have been playing non-stop for the past 4+ years going deep into continental, domestic and international competitions. You have to wonder how much longer Barcelona can sustain success. Graham Hunter's book on Barcelona notes that Xavi suffers from long-term Achilles problems with no rest. Puyol is injured more now than he actually plays.

I has taken a toll on them, no doubt about that. And I think the German national team will take advantage of it like Bayern did this year.

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

But the core of their team that has broken records has been homegrown.

They've never quite gone for real type players.

I think I'm trying to say that they've lost their way somewhat!

Really?

On top of my head, they have bought Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Larrson, Motta, Marquez, Edmilson, Belleti, Sylvinho, Thuram, Zambrotta, Keita, Henry, Yaya, Abidal, Hleb, Maxwell, Adriano, Ibrahimovic, Mascherano, Villa, Sanchez, Song, and Pinto.

Not mentioning Pique, Cesc and Alba who were all sold then rebought again.

[TepidT2O]

Really?

On top of my head, they have bought Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Larrson, Motta, Marquez, Edmilson, Belleti, Sylvinho, Thuram, Zambrotta, Keita, Henry, Yaya, Abidal, Hleb, Maxwell, Adriano, Ibrahimovic, Mascherano, Villa, Sanchez, Song, and Pinto.

Not mentioning Pique, Cesc and Alba who were all sold then rebought again.

Ok my argument is hideously flawed.

But, they've not gone out and bought the likes of zidane, Ronaldo (either), kaka etc.

Their signing are usually (a bit) more of a prospect than a bonefide superstar.

Neymar seems a bit of a change to that policy.

[thegoodfella]

Really?

On top of my head, they have bought Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Larrson, Motta, Marquez, Edmilson, Belleti, Sylvinho, Thuram, Zambrotta, Keita, Henry, Yaya, Abidal, Hleb, Maxwell, Adriano, Ibrahimovic, Mascherano, Villa, Sanchez, Song, and Pinto.

Not mentioning Pique, Cesc and Alba who were all sold then rebought again.

Yes but they haven't really played together in one team at the same time, have they? I think having a proper system, playing style and adherence to it has helped them more than the individual players or stars. And of course, having Messi in the team helps as well.