barcelona Archives -

24Jun

By FootiehoundNo Comments

We have an eventful La Liga title race in our hands

The Spanish La Liga has been eventful thus far in the ongoing 2019/20 season and has produced a competitive title race where the contenders are at the necks of each other for the trophy. This hasn't been the case for a while now and is a welcome development. Although the title race is unsurprisingly between the two top dogs in Spanish club football, namely Real Madrid and Barcelona, the race is getting fiercer, even after the game's return from lockdown. The two sides are showing stuff of champions and are grinding out the needed results even when their performances have not been top-notch. Quique Setien's Barcelona currently lead La Liga with 3 points after grinding out a 1 nil result against Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp on Tuesday. However, Real Madrid have a game in hand aga...

10Jun

By FootiehoundNo Comments

Barcelona, News

Setien reveals plans for Messi and Suarez ahead of La Liga restart

Barcelona boss Quique Setien has disclosed his plans for the club's return to action on Saturday against Real Mallorca, as well as the careful approach that will be adopted in handing out playing time to Luis Suarez. Setien will likely start Suarez in the game but admitted that it would be careless to give the veteran an extended run. He added that Lionel Messi will be 100% ready by the time action begins. "Luis Suarez could play from the start, but I find it reckless to make him play the whole game," Setien said in a chat with Tot Costa, via Barca Blaugranes. READ: James Rodriguez offered to Man United in a cut-price deal It can be recalled that the Uruguayan forward underwent surgery on his right knee in January. Before the procedure, his last game was in the semi-finals of t...

1Jun

By FootiehoundNo Comments

News

Barcelona warned against signing Lautaro Martinez

Former agent and Barca presidential candidate Josep Minguella has warned the La Liga giants against signing Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine has been impressive for Inter Milan this term and has been described as a successor to Luis Suarez. However, Minguella has begged to differ with the assessment of the Argentine and went as far AS likening the young forward with a recent player who didn't live up the billing at the Camp Nou, not to talk of the present financial challenges at the club. “The signings of 100 million euros or more have finished,” Minguella said to Radio MARCA and detailed by Mundo Deportivo. “[…] Lautaro is a good player, with good technique, but he is not Suárez’s successor. “[…] For a start, he doesn’t play as a ‘9’ […] In Italy’s list of t...

29May

By FootiehoundNo Comments

News

Rosell – Neymar is the second best player in the world

Barcelona have been advised to resign Neymar from Paris-Saint Germain amid claims that he is the second-best player in the world behind Lionel Messi. It can be recalled that the Brazil international left Camp Nou for the Ligue 1 giants in 2017 in a world record transfer fee worth €222 million. Regardless, the forward has been linked with a return to La Liga and Barcelona's former president Sandro Rosell has suggested that his old club should try their best to resign him. Rosell was at Barcelona when Neymar was signed from Santos in 2013 and claimed that the Brazilian is better than Cristiano Ronaldo who is the current best player in the world. "If I were the president of Barca, I would try to sign Neymar," Rosell told COPE and Radio Marca. "He is the second-best player in th...

19May

By FootiehoundNo Comments

Barcelona, News

Barcelona step up pursuit of Pjanic and Martinez

According to reports by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are ready to step up their pursuit of Serie A stars, namely, Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and Juventus' Miralem Pjanic The Blaugrana have been heavily linked with a move for Martinez in their bid to find a quality and like-for-like replacement for Luis Suarez. The Uruguay international is now 33 and in the twilight of his career. His injury worries are already a sign of how he has aged over the years and won't be able to offer the quality he could some years back. Although Martinez's consistency is nowhere near that of Suarez this season, having scored just 11 goals for Inter Milan in the ongoing campaign, his form has been good enough to convince the Barcelona hierarchy to go all out for him. READ: Rose –...

8May

By FootiehoundNo Comments

Barcelona, News

Messi hasn’t been good as he was under Guardiola, says Ten Hag

Ajax boss Erik ten Hag has claimed that Barcelona star Lionel Messi has not reached the same level since Pep Guardiola left the club in 2012. Guardiola became Barcelona manager in 2008 and led the team to major successes including 3 La Liga title wins, 2 Copa del Rey triumphs, and 2 UEFA Champions League triumphs. Lionel Messi was phenomenal in those seasons, winning the Ballon d'Or in four consecutive years between 2009 and 2012. Messi scored 50 goals in 37 La Liga games in Guardiola's final season in charge, precisely the 2011/12 season. Since his departure, the Catalans have won the UCL just once in eight seasons with Messi emerging victoriously in the Ballon d'Or awards just twice in that period. CHECK OUT FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS FOR 8TH MAY 2020 Ten Hag expressed the beli...

5May

By FootiehoundNo Comments

Barcelona, News

Barca make breakthrough in chase for Martinez

According to a report from AS, Barcelona and Inter Milan ave agreed an outline for a deal that will see Lautaro Martinez move in the opposite direction. Barca are reportedly facing some financial challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic and can't match the player's £97m release clause. Barcelona are working on reducing the player's asking price by using some of their players as a makeweight for the deal. They have reportedly agreed to pay no less than €60m for the 22-year-old and Inter will receive two of their players. READ: Tips on how to win more in football betting in 2020 However, no players have been identified yet although likely candidates are Samuel Umtiti, Arturo Vidal, and Ivan Rakitic. The three players are free to leave Barcelona this summer. Martinez has been i...

2May

By FootiehoundNo Comments

Barcelona, News

Lautaro Martinez tells Inter he wants to join Barca

Reports suggest that Lautaro Martinez has informed Inter Milan that he wants a move to Barcelona in the summer. The Argentine is Barcelona's number 1 target this summer but they are struggling to meet his £97 million release clause. Regardless, Martinez has told Inter that he's interested in the Barcelona move and will reject any new deal that will be offered him by the club. It appears his mind is made up. READ: Timo Werner rules out move to Bayern Munich A report by Mundo Deportivo has claimed that the Serie A giants are now prepared to accept a lesser fee in the region of £80m due to the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, Barca are working on ways to offer a package worth the amount and are willing to offer a player plus cash deal for Lautaro Mar...

28Apr

By FootiehoundNo Comments

Barcelona, News

Everton hold talks for Todibo

Everton have set their sights on another Barcelona star with Carlo Ancelotti reportedly keen on a move for defender Jean-Clair Todibo. The Italian boss wants to boost his defensive line ahead of the 2020/21 campaign after having a hard time choosing his favorite defensive pairing this season. Everton are confident they've won the race to sign Lille starlet Gabriel in a £25m deal but want more reinforcements in defense. READ: UEFA give Leagues May 25 ultimatum to provide restart proposals The trio of Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina, and Michael Keane have been rotated often this season and the pursuit of Todibo is a pointer that one of them could be sold in the summer. Todibo joined Barcelona just over 12 months ago from Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse but appears to be surplus to requir...

27Apr

By FootiehoundNo Comments

Barcelona, Chelsea, News

Barca interested in Onana, Chelsea could lose out

Chelsea are set to miss out on Ajax shot-stopper Andre Onana as he could be returning to Barcelona according to a report by The Daily Express. The London club are looking to sign a new goalkeeper this summer to succeed Kepa Arrizabalaga who has yet to live up to the billing with consistent performances despite his huge transfer fee. Kepa was a world-record signing for the Blues from Athletic Club, making him the most expensive goalie presently in the game since 2018. The Blues were initially linked with Burnley's Nick Pope but have now set their eyes on Onana. READ: Szczesny reveals what Wenger said to him after he was caught smoking Onana, 24, appeared to send a farewell message to the Dutch Champions with an Instagram post after the cancellation of the Eredivisie season. The...