الأربعاء، 3 أبريل 2019

Barcelona consider fire sale: Philippe Coutinho, Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitić, and Malcom face possible exits

By  11:29 ص  No comments

Barça want to raise funds to make big purchases this summer, and lots of players could leave

FC Barcelona have big spending plans this summer, but to fully commit to several purchases, they may be forced to make quite a few sales. According to ESPN, Philippe Coutinho, Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitić, and Malcom are the biggest names that may have face possible exits soon, although they are not by any means the only players that could leave.

Coutinho has been the source of several rumors linking him to an exit, and ESPN reports that Barcelona will consider any offer above around 100 million euro.

Umtiti has been struggling with a knee problem and has fallen behind Clément Lenglet in the pecking order, plus the possible arrival of Matthijs de Ligt may precipitate a sale.

Rakitić is still a key piece for Barça but, he expected a salary bump, something the Catalans will not offer, according to the report. Instead comes the arrival of Frenkie de Jong, which ESPN tells us has made the Croatian a bit uncomfortable. Ernesto Valverde already overruled a sale last summer, and it’s expected he will want to retain his midfielder, but a big offer might force Barcelona’s hand, if it were to come.

Malcom was on the verge of leaving in the winter, and the report says good offers came for him, but in the end, he decided to stay and try to stake his place. He certainly helped his cause in his last two matches, notching two assists and a goal. However, teams in China and Europe are reportedly still interested, and Barcelona might be tempted if Valverde continues to use him only sparingly.

Jasper Cillessen is another possible sale, although it depends if a team is willing to pay the asking price Barcelona have set. The report says Barcelona are happy with Cillessen as a backup and will not lower their asking price at the time to negotiate.

Rafinha, who was on the verge of leaving at the start of the season and is now recovering from a long-term injury, could be sold or loaned.

Then, there are several loan players who will almost certainly leave, either for free or for some amount of money: André Gomes (Everton), Denis Suárez (Arsenal), Douglas (Sivasspor), Arda Turan (İstanbul Başakşehir) and Adrià Ortolà (Deportivo La Coruña).

Gomes is the one from the above list expected to generate the biggest fee.



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Juventus offer Dybala-Coutinho swap deal to Barcelona - report

By  9:44 ص  No comments

Two stars not fully settling in at their clubs could change places

Juventus have approached FC Barcelona with an audacious swap deal involving two major stars, according to SportMediaset. While warning that it is only an idea at the moment rather than a fully-fleshed proposal, the report says Juventus are willing to offer Paulo Dybala in exchange for Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho has been linked with a move away from the Camp Nou this summer, with Diario SPORT reporting that Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester United are interested. SM is saying we can count Juve among the suitors.

Meanwhile, Calciomercato recently reported interest from the Catalans in the Argentine jewel. Dybala has had less of a starring role in the team since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, even being benched in big games when he was once the main star in attack.

SM says that it would not be a straight swap, and in fact, Juve may have to pay a little extra as Dybala is rated at 130 million euros while Coutinho’s valuation is 150 million.

There’s also the matter of salary. Dybala’s current salary is lower so Barcelona could take it on and save relative to Coutinho’s wage. However, Coutinho’s higher wage could break Juve’s structure, which had already changed radically with the signing of Ronaldo.

At the moment it seems nothing more than a pipe dream, but when you are talking about an exchange involving names as big as these, it’s something that spurs the imagination.



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Barcelona worried about Arthur’s fitness - report

By  8:25 ص  No comments

The Brazilian may still be adapting to European football

FC Barcelona are worried that Arthur’s level has dropped recently due to his body not keeping up with the demands of European football, according to Diario SPORT.

The paper says Arthur tends to be spent after about 70 minutes, which is why Ernesto Valverde subs him off almost every time. Even at Grêmio, his club in Brazil, he didn’t always last 90 minutes.

The Brazilian is doing his best to adapt his body, and he is said to be the player most often seen drinking protein shakes. He has suffered more injuries than one would hope, and in part it’s been because he’s taken some ill-advised decisions like choosing to attend Neymar’s birthday party in Paris before a match against Real Madrid.

With two absolutely huge games on the horizon (Atlético Madrid and Manchester United), Arthur’s form could be a source of worry as he has cemented a spot in the starting XI so far this season.

With Arturo Vidal suspended against Atlético, can Valverde rest Arthur in that match? Or will he opt to play Arthur about 70 minutes each game?



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Three things we learned from Barcelona’s draw at Villarreal

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FC Barcelona News: 3 April 2019

By  4:34 ص  No comments

Alena: Messi’s freekick was spectacular | Marca

Carles Alena was full of praise for Lionel Messi’s free-kick against Villarreal on Tuesday. He said: ”His freekick was spectacular. It was a great goal. It doesn’t end against Atletico Madrid. It continues until it’s mathematically over. Nothing is done. The coach has reminded us of what happened three years ago.

Sergi Roberto: It’s all to play for against Atletico Madrid | Sport

Sergi Roberto is looking forward to Saturday’s showdown against Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou. He said: “We knew Atletico had won and we looked to get a point until the end, the point is good and we will play for it all on Saturday. We want La Liga, then the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. Now it’s league and against Atletico it will be a vital game, a final. If we get the win it will be very important for us.”

Lionel Messi shirt swap death threats not Gerard Pique’s fault - Barca director

Guillermo Amor has defended Gerard Pique after Espanyol’s Adria Pedrosa received abuse for swapping his shirt with Lionel Messi at the weekend. Pique had boasted before the match he had more money than Espanyol’s budget, but Amor says the two incidents are not related.

Juve ponder a Dybala - Coutinho swap? | Calciomercato

Barcelona are reportedly considering swapping Philippe Coutinho for Paulo Dybala. Apparently Coutinho is thinking about leaving the Camp Nou, while Dybala wants out of Turin because he’s seeing less game time after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Frenkie de Jong considered Tottenham but had ‘unfinished business’ at Ajax | FourFourTwo

Frenkie de Jong has revealed he considering moving to Tottenham last summer but opted to stay at Ajax. He explained: “I considered their [Spurs’] offer long and hard. I see Tottenham as a very stable club, and they are only getting better. They give young players a chance and I see Mauricio Pochettino as a manager who really improves young players. I like the kind of football they are playing. I think it would have suited my game.”

Barça’s Denis Suárez has cost Arsenal €32,700 per minute | AS

Denis Suarez is proving a costly signing for Arsenal. He’s still yet to start a single Premier League game for the Gunners and has managed just 95 minutes since joining on loan from January. His game time means he’s costing Arsenal €32,700 so far.

Soccer: ‘Best ever’ Messi constant in Barca evolution, says Villa | Reuters

Former Barcelona star David Villa has been talking about Lionel Messi and how he ranks among some of the game’s greatest ever players. He said: “Obviously (there were) Pele, Maradona, players like (Johan) Cruyff. I didn’t have the opportunity to watch them like I watched Messi every day, every game... But, for me, Messi is the best. He is good in everything that he does.”



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Barca’s defence almost sunk by the Yellow Submarine

By  3:04 ص  No comments

High line was a poor choice

Have you caught your breath yet?!

For the neutral, there’s no doubt that the fare served up at the Estadio de le Ceramica made it one of La Liga’s games of the season.

For Barca fans, however, it was verging on disaster.

Selection wise it’s unfair to point the finger at Ernesto Valverde after the event. After all, how any times this season have we criticised him for not rotating.

The issue on the night actually revolved around playing a high defensive line against a team that, although gasping for air down near the foot of the table, have always been great on the break.

The Blaugrana simply played into their hands in that respect.

Not only that, but everyone (apart from Ernesto Valverde) could see it from about minute 10 onwards and it seemed only a matter of time before the Yellow Submarine were back in the game, despite then going two down.

Clement Lenglet didn’t have his best night and alongside a frankly disastrous Samuel Umtiti, it really showed how much the Catalans missed the calming presence of Gerard Pique.

In hindsight, it wouldn’t have been the worst decision in the world for Valverde to bring Pique on once Lenglet injured his shoulder.

It’s hard to know at this stage whether it was that which affected the rest of his night, but the Frenchman wasn’t at the races regardless.

There were certain points in the game where it was blindingly obvious Barca were being beaten for pace at will too, and the balls in behind the full-backs were causing all sorts of problems. And yet Valverde persisted.

The history books will show an eight-goal thriller of course, but in truth the visitors got out of jail. Staff from both Atletico Madrid and Manchester United were in the stands at the Estadio de la Ceramica, and they’ll be licking their lips at the prospect of playing the Blaugrana over the course of the next week.

The pace of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in particular will cause concern, but at least Valverde and Co. have been fired a timely warning.

From a rotational point of view for the rest of the campaign, we should still give the coach the benefit of the doubt, but he must get his tweaking on point in every subsequent XI.

It’s also incumbent upon the players that come in to serve the club well, and to that end, let’s finish by tipping a collective hat to Malcom again.

His contribution won’t go unnoticed but thanks to the efforts of Messi and Suarez won’t get the headlines it deserved.

We go again...



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Valverde talks Messidependence after Villarreal draw

By  2:09 ص  No comments

The captain came off the bench to inspire the comeback

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde talked about Messidependence after Tuesday’s crazy 4-4 draw against Villarreal.

Lionel Messi had been left out of the starting XI but was needed in the second half as Villarreal came from 2-0 down to take the lead.

The captain’s introduction was key as he scored a free-kick to help his side grab a late draw, and Valverde spoke about his importance after the game.

“Of course there is ‘Messidependence’,” he said.

“It would exist in any team in the world, but when he is not there we also have to play and try to win.

“Leo is fundamental for us and marks the style, it is well known that he is the best in the world for something.”

Valverde has also tried to rest Messi against Athletic Bilbao and Leganes in La Liga this season, and both times he’s had to bring him off the bench to help turn the game around.



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