UEFA Champions League Draw: A Roundup

So there we have it. For the UEFA Champions League 2011-12, FC Barcelona have been placed in Group H, a group of champions which also includes AC Milan, BATE Borisov and Viktoria Plzen. In other news, Lionel Messi has won the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe award.


The Pots

The draw began with the 32 teams placed in 4 pots based on thier UEFA performance coefficients which are a measure of the team’s performance in the Champions League in the past 5 years as well as the strength of their leagues. Consequently, Pot 1 and Pot 2 were the strongest and the ones which the other teams would look to avoid. Following are the 4 pots:

POT 1:

Barcelona, Man Utd, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Porto, Inter Milan

POT 2:

AC Milan, Lyon, Shakhtar Donetsk, Valencia, Benfica, Villareal, CSKA Moscow, Marseille

POT 3:

Zenit St. Petersburg, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiacos, Man City, Lille, Basel, BATE Borisov

POT 4:

BvB Dortmund, Napoli, Dinamo Zagreb, APOEL FC, Tanzonspor, Genk, Plzen, Otelul Galati

The Groups

Each team from Pot 1 was put into a group from A to H. Barcelona was allotted Group H. Now, a team from Pot 1 would draw 1 team from Pot 2. Consequently, FC Barcelona was drawn up against Italian champions AC Milan. After teams from Pot 2 were exhausted, Pot 3 came up. From Pot 3, Belarus champions BATE Borisov were put into Group H. Teams from Pot 4 were drawn up the last. Pot 4 contained strong opponents like Borussia Dortmund and Napoli who are yet inexperienced in Champions League football. However, Barcelona managed to avoid them and drew Czech champions Viktoria Plzen.

Consequently, Group H has:

FC Barcelona: Spanish champions

AC Milan: Italian champions

BATE Borisov: Belarusian champions

Viktoria Plzen: Czech champions

The other groups have been drawn as follows:

Group A: Bayern Munich, Villarreal, Manchester City, Napoli

Group B: Inter Milan, CSKA Moscow, Lille, Trabzonspor (replaced Fenerbahce who are facing a match-fixing allegation)

Group C: Manchester United, Benfica, FC Basel, Otelul Galati

Group D: Real Madrid, Lyon, Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb

Group E: Chelsea, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, KRC Genk

Group F: Arsenal, Marseille, Olympiakos, Dortmund

Group G: Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg, APOEL Nicosia

The groups to watch out for other than Group H are:

Group A: This is in my opinion the ‘Group of Death’. Four strong teams – Munich (who host the finals), Villarreal (out to prove themselves), Man City and Napoli (strong performances in domestic league and a long awaited appearance in the CL) will slug it out for the 2 berths.

Group F: This is an interesting group with BVB Dortmund – one of the teams to watch out for this season and strong contenders Arsenal and Marseille.

Group H

Getting back to Barcelona’s group, we face quite a challenge ourselves. Let us consider them one by one.

AC Milan (Home: San Siro; Manager: Massimiliano Allegri) have played well against Spanish opponents in the recent past and will be a tough test, especially at San Siro. In the last season, AC Milan wont their 18th Serie A title. In the CL, they were knocked out by Tottenham in the Round of 16. In the Coppa Italia, they made it to the semi finals but were eliminated by Palermo. Zlatan Ibrahimovich was their overall top scorer (21 goals) and Thiago Silva was their best defender.

BATE Borisov (Home: Dynamo Minsk Stadium; Manager: Viktor Goncharenko) won their 7th Belarusian Premier League title last season. They lost out to PSG in the Europa League Round of 32 after coming 2nd in their group.

Viktoria Plzen (Home:Struncovy Sady Stadion; Manager: Pavel Vrba) won the Czech league for the first time last season. They also won the Czech Republic Supercup in 2011.

The Schedule

Tuesday 13 September: AC Milan (H)

Wednesday 28 September: BATE (A)

Wednesday 19 October: Plzen (A)

Tuesday 1 November Plzen (H)

Wednesday 23 November: AC Milan (A)

Tuesday 6 December: BATE (H)
And thus begins FC Barcelona’s quest to be the first team to defend the UEFA Champions League. We face a tough group with less known teams who could always spring a surprise. However, if we can hold true to El Capitan Puyol’s words at the Gamper ceremony: “If we stay united, we will continue to make history“, we should be fine!

Let us conclude with Guardiola’s thoughts for the upcoming season: “We promise you that we will keep up the hard work to win everything again. I will be in charge of seeing to it that every time you come here (to the Camp Nou), you will see us working hard. All of the titles we have won in the last season and in the seasons before that – all of this has been possible because of you. Visca el Barça! Visca Catalunya! and heres to a great season!“

Gerard Pique: Alexis Sanchez's arrival at Barcelona will help give Lionel Messi some breathing space

The Chile international attacker is seen as a player who can help relieve some of the pressure on the Argentine ace at Camp Nou in the 60-game seasons to come


Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes the recent arrival of Alexis Sanchez will help lighten the load on Balon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

Sanchez, 22, arrived from Italian club Udinese during the summer transfer window in a deal that could total €37.5 million, and Pique believes the Chilean can be the key to helping ease the pressure on Messi's game.

"Sanchez could be useful to help open spaces on the pitch and he will help to give Messi some breathing space," Pique told ESPN, as reported by Sport.

"People always mark Messi, and having such a great player like Sanchez will mean the opposition will have to mark him too. This will leave Messi with more space.

"I think Alexis will bring plenty to Barcelona. We have Messi and Pedro, but Alexis is distinctive. He is fast, is good one-on-one and he also helps to defend."

Barcelona take on Guadalajara and Club America later this week in club friendlies ahead of the Supercopa double-header against Real Madrid.

Guardiola confirms that Xavi & Piqué will play on Wedsesday

FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Gerard Pique and Xavi Hernández, both of whom have been training individually recently, “will play some minutes” on Wednesday against Chivas de Guadalajara.

In the case of Xavi Hernández, this will be the first match he will play in this preseason, after spending the first weeks of preseason training working individually due to trouble with his soleus muscle (calf). Piqué, who played some minutes in the game against Bayern, will return to a position that, due to injuries and absences, has been short of players during this preseason.

Besides recovering Xavi and Piqué, Guardiola will also gain Adriano, joining the tour after his holidays. The remainder of the players that participated in the Copa America (Alves, Messi, Milito and Mascherano) will be added to the group on the 8th of August in Barcelona. On the possibility that these players will be ready to play the Spanish Super Cup games (August 14 and 17), Guardiola has not ruled it out though he didn’t guarantee that they participate either: “We’ll see how they do once they arrive. In terms of players available, I’ll decide who I will call the day before the game.”

Gerard Deulofeu and Sergi Gómez, who finished the U-19 European Championship on Monday (emerging as winners after a 2-3 win over the Czech Republic in extra time), will also be added to the team in Miami “to give rest to the people already here who have already played many minutes. They will be incorporated because of injuries and because I don’t have too many spare players. Besides, they come in good physical shape,” he added. The coach from Santpedor stated that he was “very satisfied” with the team’s preseason, because “we have competed very well, especially in the last match.”

Guardiola, who also confirmed that Jeffren will travel to Lisbon to close an agreement with Sporting de Portugal, said that he trusts the players he has available to confront the coming season and he has not wished to talk about possible signings: “It would be in bad taste for me to complain about the squad, with the players that I have.” And he has had complimentary words for Alexis Sánchez: “His joining us [will be] very good. He can occupy the 3 positions of attack, he is direct, intense and has ability in the 1 against 1. His [addition to the squad] will work well in all these facets.”

Villa: “At Barça, there will always be competition”

The arrival of Alexis expands the competition in the forward positions. But David Villa, who appeared with Guardiola at the press conference in Miami, was confident of the possibilities: “In a team as large as this, I will always have competition. Last year, this year, and the ones to come. This is the best team in the world.” The Asturian forward, who has been very pleased to be able to participate in the team’s preseason from the first day, believes that he has already adapted to the Barça style of play. “To play this way is not easy. Many teams try to play in the same style of Barça and few obtain it,” he stated.

Jeffren given permission to go to Portugal

Jeffren Suárez will leave Barça’s US Tour today to travel to Barcelona where he will negotiate his transfer to Sporting CP.


During his press conference in Miami, Pep Guardiola confirmed that the young forward had been given leave to leave the Tour and travel to Lisbon to negotiate with Sporting CP.

SOURCE ; www.fcbarcelona.cat

Club Fixtures 2011/2012

Friendly Game - Sat 23 Jul 20:30 Hajduk Split - FC Barcelona
Friendly Game Audi Cup Tue 26 Jul 18:15 FC Barcelona - Internacional
Friendly Game - Sun 31 Jul 01:00 FC Barcelona - Manchester U.
August
Friendly Game - Thu 04 Aug 02:00 FC Barcelona - Chivas
Friendly Game - Sat 06 Aug 22:00 FC Barcelona - Club América
Spanish Super Cup Anada Sun 14 Aug 22:00 Real Madrid - FC Barcelona
Spanish Super Cup Tornada Wed 17 Aug 23:00 FC Barcelona - Real Madrid
Jornada 01 Sun 21 Aug --:-- Málaga CF - FC Barcelona
UEFA Super Cup Final Fri 26 Aug 20:45 FC Barcelona - Porto
Jornada 02 Sun 28 Aug --:-- FC Barcelona - Villarreal CF
September
Jornada 03 Sun 11 Sep --:-- R.Sociedad - FC Barcelona
Jornada 04 Sun 18 Sep --:-- FC Barcelona - Osasuna
Jornada 05 Wed 21 Sep --:-- Valencia CF - FC Barcelona
Jornada 06 Sun 25 Sep --:-- FC Barcelona - At.Madrid
October
Jornada 07 Sun 02 Oct --:-- Sporting Gijón - FC Barcelona
Jornada 08 Sun 16 Oct --:-- FC Barcelona - Racing
Jornada 09 Sun 23 Oct --:-- FC Barcelona - Sevilla FC
Jornada 10 Wed 26 Oct --:-- Granada - FC Barcelona
Jornada 11 Sun 30 Oct --:-- FC Barcelona - RCD Mallorca
November
Jornada 12 Sun 06 Nov --:-- Athletic Club - FC Barcelona
Jornada 13 Sun 20 Nov --:-- FC Barcelona - Zaragoza
Jornada 14 Sun 27 Nov --:-- Getafe CF - FC Barcelona
December
Jornada 15 Sun 04 Dec --:-- FC Barcelona - Levante UD
Jornada 16 Sun 11 Dec --:-- Real Madrid - FC Barcelona
Jornada 17 Sun 18 Dec --:-- FC Barcelona - Rayo Vallecano
January
Jornada 18 Sun 08 Jan --:-- RCD Espanyol - FC Barcelona
Jornada 19 Sun 15 Jan --:-- FC Barcelona - Real Betis
Jornada 20 Sun 22 Jan --:-- FC Barcelona - Málaga CF
Jornada 21 Sun 29 Jan --:-- Villarreal CF - FC Barcelona
February
Jornada 22 Sun 05 Feb --:-- FC Barcelona - R.Sociedad
Jornada 23 Sun 12 Feb --:-- Osasuna - FC Barcelona
Jornada 24 Sun 19 Feb --:-- FC Barcelona - Valencia CF
Jornada 25 Sun 26 Feb --:-- At.Madrid - FC Barcelona
March
Jornada 26 Sun 04 Mar --:-- FC Barcelona - Sporting Gijón
Jornada 27 Sun 11 Mar --:-- Racing - FC Barcelona
Jornada 28 Sun 18 Mar --:-- Sevilla FC - FC Barcelona
Jornada 29 Wed 21 Mar --:-- FC Barcelona - Granada
Jornada 30 Sun 25 Mar --:-- RCD Mallorca - FC Barcelona
April
Jornada 31 Sun 01 Apr --:-- FC Barcelona - Athletic Club
Jornada 32 Wed 04 Apr --:-- Zaragoza - FC Barcelona
Jornada 33 Wed 11 Apr --:-- FC Barcelona - Getafe CF
Jornada 34 Sun 15 Apr --:-- Levante UD - FC Barcelona
Jornada 35 Sun 22 Apr --:-- FC Barcelona - Real Madrid
Jornada 36 Sun 29 Apr --:-- Rayo Vallecano - FC Barcelona
May
Jornada 37 Sun 06 May --:-- FC Barcelona - RCD Espanyol
Jornada 38 Sun 13 May --:-- Real Betis - FC Barcelona

Thiago renews his contract until 2015

FC Barcelona is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Thiago Alcántara to renew his contract with the Club for two more seasons, until 30th of June 2015.


The buyout clause of the new contract will be 90 million Euros.

The signing of the contract will take place today, Wednesday, at 17.00. Later there will be a photo session, open to the media, at the doors of the FC Barcelona offices.

SOURCE : www.fcbarcelona.cat

Definitively the best year in club history

The futsal league title rounded off the finest season ever in the history of Barça’s professional teams. The club also won women’s football’s Copa de la Reina and the youth football team won the treble.



Never in almost 112 years of history has FC Barcelona won as many trophies as it did in 2010/11. The achievement was completed on Sunday when Barça Alusport won the Spanish league, the sixteenth professional title of the year. In an amazing campaign, the futsal team has won the Spanish league and cup double, as well as the Catalan league.

Football treble

Of all the cups brought home in 10/11, none was noted around the world more than the football Champions League won at Wembley against Manchester United (3-1). Nobody could argue that it wasn’t thoroughly deserved, and the same players also won the Spanish League and Supercup this season.

Joy at the Palau

Like Barça Alusport, Regal Barça also had a wonderful season with four titles, including all three ACB basketball competitions (League, Cup and Supercup) and the Catalan league. Barça Borges also contributed by becoming handball champions of Spain and Europe, and also winning the Pyrenees League.

The roller hockey team, who have won more titles than any other of Barça’s many sections, also contributed with the Copa del Rey and the Continental Cup.

Women and youth too

In addition to the 16 professional titles won by Barça, we can also mention the women’s and youth football teams. The ladies coached by Xavi Llorenç won the Copa de la Reina for the first time in seventeen years, while the youngsters coached by Òscar Garcia won the League, Champions Cup and Copa del Rey.

SOURCE : www.fcbarcelona.cat

I dream of playing for Barcelona and want to become the best player in the world - Udinese's Alexis Sanchez

The Chilean is determined to develop his game and dreams of winning titles with the Catalan giants, who remain in pole position to secure his signature


Udinese attacker Alexis Sanchez has made it clear that he wants to join Barcelona in order to develop into the best player in the world.

The 22-year-old is one of the most sought-after players of the summer transfer window and is widely believed to be on his way to the Catalan giants ahead of the 2011-12 campaign.

Gino Pozzo, the son of Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo, recently revealed that Sanchez had no preference between a move to either Barcelona or Manchester City.

However, Sport quotes the Chilean as saying: "I dream of playing for Barcelona, because I have the chance to win a lot of trophies there. My biggest objective is to win a lot of silverware.

"I am still a young player, but I have the ambition to become the best player in the world. I need to be more clinical in front of the goal, but I am very eager to continue developing into a better player. My biggest secret is perhaps my humility."

The forward went on to say that opposition defenders hold no fear for him, adding: "I am not afraid of any defender. When they're trying to hit me, I just tell them to play football or go boxing.

"I don't even know the name of my opponent most of the time. I go out with the goal to beat them and get past them. I don't respond to provocations."

A representative from Udinese claimed last week that Barca were on the verge of concluding a deal for Sanchez, but Premier League side Manchester City have not given up hope of launching a last-ditch attempt to hijack the deal.

Barcelona preparing improved €35m offer for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas - Report

The Catalans have reportedly already had one bid rejected for the 24-year-old but are hopeful a deal will be completed within the next fortnight, providing the Gunners sign Alvarez


Barcelona are preparing to make an improved offer of €35 million for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The Spanish champions have reportedly already had an initial bid of €30 turned down for the midfielder and, although this second bid seemingly still falls well short of the Gunners’ reported valuation of the player, the Catalan club are hopeful of reaching a compromise.

Barca are keen to pay the fairest possible price to get their man, with president Sandro Rosell adamant the club’s outgoings on this summer's transfers will not exceed €45m, but the Telegraph suggests the La Liga champions are willing stretch to €40m in order to seal the deal.

Arsene Wenger refused to entertain Barcelona’s interest in Fabregas last summer and has always maintained he would not consider selling his captain, but the need to raise funds for summer reinforcements combined with the Spaniard’s desire to link up with his boyhood club could ultimately persuade the Arsenal boss to cash in on his prized asset.

The chances of any deal going through are believed to be dependent on the Gunners securing a replacement for their playmaker, with Velez Sarsfield’s Ricardo Alvarez reportedly top of the list of targets.

Lionel Messi wants Juventus target Sergio Aguero at Barcelona - reports

Despite the Turin giants confirming they are set to hold talks with the Atletico Madrid man, Spanish reports claim the Camp Nou outfit are ready to enter discussions too


Juventus are set to meet Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero's representatives to discuss a transfer next week, as confirmed by Giuseppe Marotta, but Spanish and Italian reports suggest Barcelona are keen to land him.

Il Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport both report Spanish sources claim Lionel Messi is trying to convince his side, and Argentina team-mate Aguero, 23, to come together.

The Ballon d'Or holder is said to be eager to join forces with his compatriot and form a sesational partnership at Camp Nou next season.

Atletico have already added pressure on the forward to decide what he wants to do within the next two weeks as they are keen on planning for next season and they want to know whether they can count on him.

Despite the reports of a possible late surge by Barcelona, who are still keen on closing a deal for Udinese's Alexis Sanchez - also wanted by Manchester City, Juventus seem in pole for Aguero.

Giuseppe Marotta already confirmed he is "a player liked" by the Italian giants and will be meeting the player's representatives next week.

Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi is also a target for Juventus, but Aguero would appear to be a priority. To land him though, they would need at least €45 million so they can meet Atleti's buy-out clause and start concrete talks with the Spanish side.

Aguero is tied to the Vicente Calderon club until 2014.

Six Barça players make Sports Illustrated team of the season

Sports Illustrated may not be the first publication you think of when you want quality football reporting, but SI columnist Grant Wahl proves that he’s been paying attention to world football this year as he has named six FC Barcelona players to his world ‘Team of the Season’. Wahl explained the rational behind his player selection: “In putting together my World XI, I wanted a solid defense, but I also kept in mind three things. One, the more you possess the ball, the less you have to defend. Two, Barcelona and Spain don’t get enough credit for the pressure they put on teams to win the ball back — pressure that starts up top with star forwards who are willing to work hard. And three, you need quality two-way players in important positions on the field, particularly in the central midfield and the backline.”

With this criteria in mind, here are the 11 players who topped the list this year:

GK: Iker Casillas
RB: Dani Alves
CB: Gerard Piqué
CB: Nemanja Vidic
LB: Patrice Evra
M: Bastien Schweinsteiger
M: Xavi
M: Andrés Iniesta
F: David Villa
F: Lionel Messi
F: Cristiano Ronaldo

Alexis Sanchez's transfer to Barcelona is almost complete - Udinese Representative

Quique Pina has revealed that the deal to take Sanchez to the Catalans is almost done, with Jeffren thought to be heading to Udine as part of the agreement


Udinese's Spanish representative Quique Pina, who is also chairman of Granada, has stated that the transfer of Chile international Alexis Sanchez from Udinese to Barcelona is almost complete.

The 22-year-old attacker has long been linked with a move to the Champions League winners and, although Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo stated on Monday that a transfer was still some way off, Pina has confirmed that Sanchez is edging ever closer to being unveiled as a Barcelona player.

It had been suggested that Manchester City were set to make a last-ditch bid to persuade the player to move to Eastlands, but Pina was quoted as saying by Cadena Cope: "At the moment, Barcelona are on the verge of completing the final details of the move and we could say that it's basically a done deal. The deal is 80 per cent done and we're working on the remaining 20%.

"The transfer will be worth an amount in the region of €45 million, a figure close to the initial valuation of the player. This fee included some variables and one player."

Barca will reportedly pay an initial fee of €28m plus €5m in variables for Sanchez, while Spain under-21 winger Jeffren Suarez will leave Camp Nou for Udinese as part of the agreement.

Sanchez is currently preparing for the Copa America with Chile's national side, but head coach Claudio Borghi confirmed on Monday that he doesn't have any problems with Sanchez temporarily leaving the training camp to complete his move to the Catalan giants.

The old La Masia closes forever

La Masia, the building that stands in the shadow of Camp Nou and which has housed numerous players as they moved up through the ranks of Barça, is permanently closing. With the completion of new buildings for the youth players in Sant Joan Despi, part of the Ciutat Esportiva, the club held their final event at the old La Masia last night, a celebratory barbeque marking the end of a season, and the beginning of a new era.




The last act of a most glorious year, before moving to Sant Joan Despi, was the traditional barbecue that marks the end of the season for the football players in the youth system.

The future of Barça can be found in La Masia, through the work of talent scouts, educators and coaches, through maintaining a system that combines individual talents and a playing style unique in the world, through a residence-school that yesterday closed its doors forever with a final act filled with symbolism and the Barcelona spirit.

The barbecue dinner that traditionally closes the season was held in the gardens of La Masia, where president Sandro Rosell, in a long and profound speech, recalled the enormous responsibility of maintaining the excellence of this Barça, which is placed on his shoulders, and reminded the young players listening that a major effort is required of them to wear the Barça shirt someday.

The president congratulated them for the achievements of this season, that have been many and may still increase with the Copa del Rey title that Juvenil A will most likely contest against Espanyol, but he insisted that only the best will make it, not only for their footballing ability but because they will have proved themselves worthy of wearing the first team shirt of Barça.

“This has been an impossible season to improve upon. It is evident Barça wants the best players but we also want the best people, you have to be very humble and appreciate that being part of Barça is a privilege.”

The barbecue started at 20:00 with a large representation from the board of directors headed by the president, sports vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the executive of formative football, Jordi Mestre. Also attending were the vice president of the social area , Jordi Cardoner, and executives Eduard Coll, Jordi Moix and Jordi Monés. Leader of the Penyes section, Pau Vilanova, and cultural advisor, Josep Maria Prat, were also at the event.

The whole football section of the club took part in the final dinner at La Masia, with Andoni Zubizarreta and Tito Vilanova representing the first team, accompanied by Guillermo Amor, Carles Folguera, the director of La Masia that from next season will have a building in Sant Joan Despi, and the extensive structure of technical managers and coaches, as well as representation of delegates from all the teams.




FC Barcelona’s official site also covered the event. The following are some excerpts from their report.

Players, coaches, assistants, managers and all involved in training the youth players experienced the final supper that marks the traditional end of the current season for the youngsters at La Masia.

Next season the event, which brought together the youth and women’s football teams will be held in the new ‘La Masia’ located in the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper.

The speech of president Sandro Rosell centered on the emotional factor of a dinner that “will be the last official act at this Masia.”

This involves a lot of mixed feelings: “On the one hand I am sad because next year we will not be in a place that has given us so much, from where so many players have started, but on the other hand we have to look ahead and the new Masia will be a lot more modern and functional and the change will be good for all.”

Rosell also acknowledged the success of so many of the club’s teams this season: “In all areas, it will prove very difficult to improve. Not just the football and professional sections who have won almost everything, you have had a lot of success in all competitions.”

Sandro Rosell delivered a plaque to Francis Pérez, the second coach of Alevín C and the technicians responsible for the FCB Escola, Carlos Bueno and Albert Benaiges. The three leave the club this season to pursue new professional challenges.

Kebbie set for Barcelona after rejecting Whites

Starlet leaves Leeds

Manchester United are set to lose out to Barcelona once again, this time in the pursuit of one of the country's most exciting young players.

Leeds winger Elliott Kebbie has been long been tracked by Sir Alex Ferguson, and even spent time on trial at Old Trafford last year.

However the 16-year-old winger is on the brink of a move to the European champions after turning out for the Juvenil B team and spending time at the famous La Masia training site, according to The Sun.
The winger, who was born in Halifax, is blessed with phenomenal pace and was considered a bright sprinting prospect before choosing to focus fully on football.

Kebbie was due to move up to Leeds' famous Thorp Arch academy next season but has instead made the switch to Spain, for which the Elland Road outfit can expect a hefty fee.

Last year reports suggested Manchester United had agreed a £1million compensation package with Leeds for the Kebbie's signature.

A statement from the club, though, put paid to that. It said: 'Leeds can confirm that no bid has been received from Manchester United for Elliott Kebbie, despite reports in the national media, and nor would one be welcomed.'

Then chairman Ken Bates had also earlier told the club's official website: 'We hear about these big clubs stripping lower clubs and in fact we have lost three this summer.

'Manchester City have taken two of our 14-year-olds and Everton have nicked Luke Garbutt, our England youth international captain, and there is a tribunal about that on Monday.

'Both Manchester United and Everton came in for Elliott Kebbie who is 15 next week. He visited Manchester United and Everton and came back and said to his mum, who we were sat with on Friday, "I want to stay at Leeds", and he signed on.

'History shows that so many of these kids get star struck by big clubs who take them on and disappear again.'

Should Kebbie secure his switch to the Nou Camp, it would be form of revenge for the Spaniards, who consider the 'nicking' of stars like Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique by big clubs 'immoral'.

Barca eye Hazard approach

Lille youngster ready for a move abroad


Barcelona are reportedly eyeing up a move for Lille superstar Eden Hazard, who has announced he is ready to quit the French club.

The Catalan giants are one of a number of clubs who are tracking the Belgian player including Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Hazard is an established international and has developed into one of the star players of the Ligue 1 in the past few seasons.

The player was previously linked with Lyon, but Hazard has made it clear that he will only leave Lille for a move abroad.

The 20-year-old's current deal with Lille runs until the summer of 2014, meaning that the French side will not let go of their star player on the cheap.

Hazard has refused to make any comment on reports that UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona are keen on his services.

He told El Mundo Deportivo: "Barca? Can I even get into their team?

"It's an honour to be linked with the best team in the world but I have nothing else to say.

"It is great to hear news like that."

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‘Sport’ interview with Messi

Lionel Messi protects himself from the cold of the Argentina winter with a wool cap that warms his head. He is happy, and it reflects in that face of a child as he shares jokes with Sergio Agüero, his inseparable friend. But he sees a loose ball and he fires it off while the national team coach, Sergio Batista, enjoys the scene. Messi, in Argentina, has everyone very happy. Like in Condal City, where he already feels like he is at home. But now, after another winning season at the hand of Pep Guardiola, la Pulga wants to lift an important trophy with the selección absoluta of his country. He’s going for his second Copa América and hopes to take revenge for the defeat in the final against Brazil, even though the Albiceleste was the best team that played in the championship of 2007 in Venezuela. ”It would be beautiful to win the Copa América in our country,” he says to open his interview with Sport.

Have you already recovered from the end of the season? Oof, often wearing…

We played for important things, nice things. There were 20 days that were wearing psychologically. It was tough. Now we’re calmer and thinking about the Copa América.

After so many titles, how does one continue on the road of success?

We formed a nice group. We have the idea to go out and play, and our wish is to be able to win the Copa.

Did you grow in these years from the ‘Guardiola touch’?

With Guardiola, I learned a lot as a player. Yes, I grew, without a doubt, and I feel I can get better. And I want to continue getting better day to day. The coach always brings you things to make you better and you can progress as a player.

Do you like that they say you are the best in the world?

Ha ha, I don’t think that. I just want to continue as I am. I want to keep winning titles, I want the team to continue on this path, but in my mind I have team goals, that Barcelona doesn’t stop winning titles. It was a hard season, difficult, but surely unforgettable. For what defined the league, for having achieved another Champions League, for everything.

Because of the four derbies!

I wanted those days to pass, for good or for bad. They seemed eternal. Despite losing the Copa del Rey, we came out very well. I think if we look at it overall, we did things very well. A shame about the Copa, but we are happy with what we got. And we continue with the hunger for glory. We don’t want to relax. I feel really good in Barcelona. Very loved. We all want to go all out for more.

And with so many declarations…

We never wanted to enter into those. We wanted to go and fight and win playing our way. It went bad for us in the Copa. We gave away the first half and it cost us the final. We have nothing to prove with our playing. We did it in the Champions League and in the league we came out the champions.

After the 5-0, did you all think that the formations of Real Madrid would be different?

Yes, we knew it was going to change. Mourinho knows a lot. With Inter when he came, he did the same thing to us. Putting a lot of people in the middle so that we could not play our game. We knew that it would be different [from the 5-0] and that he was going to convince his people to go out like that [like with Inter]. They were sure about what they would do. And when a player is determined, it’s difficult.

What is Barcelona’s secret?

The desire of the team. That the coach gets you to want to win and get better each day. It’s a team that is not happy with things as they are, a team that thinks of winning, and you can’t relax with what you have. Also, the quality of the players, the coach, everything together.

The whole world knows how FC Barcelona plays, but no one, or very few, have been able to stop your ball possession. Why is that impossible for them?

Maybe having so much time on the ball in the other team’s half, trying to go for the goal, it’s difficult for the rival to counteract that. The coach wants to make the team better, is always correcting things, is very much a perfectionist and looks for errors, details to improve…

From within [the team], can you enjoy Barcelona as much as they do outside [of the team]?

I know that the people enjoy it. It’s noted and they let us know. And I also, from within, enjoy very much playing on the team. My teammates and the team never cease to surprise me. Sometimes we are not aware of what we are doing. We enjoy making the Barcelona fans happy. And now, in my country, I hope the Argentinians can have the joy again of winning the Copa América.

What do you hope for in the coming season?

That Barcelona continues along the same road of success. We are a team. And we’ll keep being a close group. There one doesn’t win alone. There, we all win together. It’s the road that we have followed in the last years and we have to maintain it to again bring joy to the fans.

Afellay: constant progression

Afellay has the honour of being the only player ever to have been signed in the window transfer window during the Josep Guardiola era. He has adapted well, scoring two goals and becoming an ever-present in squad lists.


He also played a part in the Champions League final against United at Wembley. Afellay came on with two minutes to go and almost scored, which would have been a wonderful reward for his exceptional progression in just half a year with FC Barcelona.

Afellay made his official debut in the Copa del Rey, the day that Abidal scored his first goal for Barça. Since then the Dutchman has been a regular part of the FCB squad, showing humility, effort and adaptation to his club, for which he appeared in 28 official matches.

He has played for more than a thousand minutes, including 131 in the Champions League, plus 224 in the Copa and 700 in the Liga, which has also helped consolidate his role in the Dutch national team. Both his goals for Barça came in away matches, the first in the cup at Almeria, and the second on the last day of the championship at La Rosaleda, home of Malaga. Afellay has yet to feel the sensation of scoring in front of his own fans at the Camp Nou.

He has only supplied one assist for his new club, but it was arguably the most important of the year. That was in the 76th minute of the Champions League semi final at the Bernabéu, when Afellay collected the ball from Xavi and took advantage of a slip by Real Madrid’s Marcelo to dribble through and lay the ball up for Messi to open the scoring. A delightful moment both for him and Barcelona in general.

He has proved something of a utility player, appearing in no fewer than five different positions, usually filling in for Xavi or Iniesta, but also playing in any of the three attacking positions.

SOURCE : www.fcbarcelona.cat

OFFICIAL : Luis Enrique appointed as coach of AS Roma

AS Roma has today official confirmed the appointment of Luis Enrique Martinez as coach of the Italian team for next season. The Asturian, who has been in charge of Barça B for the last three seasons, has signed a two-year deal with the Serie A club, with the option for a third year.


Luis Enrique announced a few weeks ago that he would be leaving Barça B at the end of the season. This season, he led the reserve side to a historic third place finish, making them the best B team in FC Barcelona history. Today, AS Roma has officially confirmed that Luis Enrique will be their new coach.

Luis Enrique, who during his career as a player never left the Spanish league (having played for Sporting Gijon, Real Madrid and Barca), will now face a new challenge in his fourth year as a coach as he heads to the Italian capital.

The agreement with the club provides, according to Italian media, a record 1.6 million euros per season to the coach.

Together with Luis Enrique, Roma will have the services of his assistants Toñín Llorente, Roberto Moreno, Iván de la Peña and physical trainer Rafael Cabanellas.

The statement of AS Roma’s official site reads:

Luis Enrique had his first taste of the giallorosso (yellow and red), when this afternoon he crossed the threshold of the home of the club, the “Fulvio Bernardini” in Trigoria. Together with some of his staff, the Spanish coach visited the club and its facilities, after greeting the leaders of the club and a sharing a quick meal.

In the coming days the coach, together with the staff, will begin to the detailed planning of all activities pertaining to the forthcoming season 2011-12.

Bojan’s agent fuels Roma speculation

It seems the future of young Barca forward, Bojan Krkic, may well lie away from the Camp Nou. That’s if recent statements by the players agent, Zoran Vekic, are to be believed.

Speaking to Radio Maná Maná in Italy, Vekic explained that Bojan may well be set for a move to AS Roma, where the forward will join former Barca B coach, Luis Enrique. And Vekic confirmed the partnership may be perfect for everyone involved. “Luís Enrique and Bojan know each other well: therefore of course he would like him to come to Rome” adding that it would be a “perfect marriage, but we must wait and see.”


Vekic would not say whether the two clubs were currently in any kind of negotiations for a move, although he did stress that Bojan still hoped to remain at Barca. However, the agent did express a desire for any decisions to be made as soon as possible so the player can get on with planning his future. “One must be prudent, because it will be Barcelona that makes the decision” said Vekic.

Asked about how the young forwards father, who works as a scout for Barca, feels about his son’s potential move away from the club, Vekic said “His father prefers that he himself doesn’t speak with anybody. He works for Barcelona and he does not want to confuse things.” with the agent confirming that Bojan Krkic Senior “has ordered absolute silence” on the matter.

Barcelona table offer for Boca Juniors' Sergio Araujo - Report

According to Argentine radio station La Red, Barcelona have moved in quickly to sign Boca Juniors striker Sergio Araujo.

The 19-year-old is highly regarded in Argentina, and his exploits have already reached Europe, where Barcelona and Real Madrid are both thought to be interested parties.

The Merengues have first option over a number of Boca's youngsters, including Araujo, as part of the €20 million deal which took midfielder Fernando Gago to the Spanish capital club in 2006.

However, reports in Argentina suggest Barcelona are looking to pull out all stops to land the player and have already made an offer for the under-20 international.

It is believed the Spanish champions want to send the player to their B squad before slowly introducing him into their main ranks.

"This has been my best year", Barcelona superstar Andrés Iniesta

Barça superstar, Andrés Iniesta, has been giving his opinion on what has been yet another fantastic season for the club, with the brilliant midfielder admitting his pleasure at having been able to play such a huge part in the team’s success this term.

Speaking on the ONA FM show ‘Grandstand‘, the Spanish international said, “It has been my best year as I have had continuity. Last year it was unusual to have so many injuries, however this year I have not had any and it has been a great season, finishing again with another Champions League trophy.”

Discussing the club’s future transfer plans, Iniesta was unwilling to be drawn into stating what reinforcements he feels the team needs, but he did have some words of encouragement in case a certain Spain colleague is to arrive over the summer. “I guess the club and the coach will have looked at all the options and if they feel players are needed then they will come. It will work to keep us motivated and to keep us winning,” adding, “Xavi, Cesc and I are not incompatible, if he did come then the level of the team would get even higher.”

Asked if he thought such a move was likely, the fleet-footed forward said, “That’s a matter for Arsenal and Barcelona.”

As for the future of those players who hope to make the step up from the Barça B team to the Barça first-team, San Andres was certain that the youth would be given their chance to shine, although he did aknowledge the temptation that more regular football can hold for a young player. “Personally I would rather play for five minutes here than to play more at another club, but everyone has their own ideas.”

Discussing the challenges that lie ahead for the club when the new season begins, Andres admitted that with each season that passes maintaining such high standards gets tougher, saying, “Next year will be much more complicated than the previous season.” He added, “To win titles we must surpass others and we will try to achieve that.”

Asked to comment on the current relations between Barça and Madrid players after last season’s famously hot tempered Clasico encounters, Iniesta was reluctant to say too much, saying only, “We hope these things are not repeated again, neither on or off the field.”

Finally, the man who scored that famous World Cup winning goal last summer explained how important Barça’s manager, Pep Guardiola, is to this current crop of players, with Iniesta demonstrating a real desire that the manager keeps his one-year contracts rolling on and on. “He is the key to this team and I hope he stays here a long, long time.”

"Two or three signings will be enough"- Catalan Legend Carles Rexach

Catalan legend and former Barça player and manager, Carles Rexach, has spoken out today and called for wisdom while making decisions in the transfer market.

Rexach, who helped innovate the “Barca-style” that combines Dutch “TotalFutbol” and Spanish “Tiki-Taka”, spoke with the ‘Barça ADN’ program on Barça TV, and gave a good analysis of the current state of the Catalan club.

Regarding the transfer market, Rexach assured that “Barça have to sign special players, but they find it hard to adapt to playing with this team. We can not sign players just for signings sake. For that we already have good players at Barça B. I think the players Pep wants are different, special players and ones who can perform exactly how he wants them to, ones who can give him more options and vesatility on the field, ones who have flair. Although initially it will cost them to try and fit into the style of Barcelona, ​​afterwards it will be worth it.”

Illustrating why the team needs to make signings this summer, Rexach referred to the current side’s small numbers, and the strain that would be put upon it if the team found itself plagued by injuries. “This year we have been lucky with injuries except in the final stretch where we had men injured like Puyol, Maxwell, Adriano and of course Abidal’s disease. Luckily, Mascherano has adapted well to the position of center back. But if next year the team suffers from injuries longer than two or three months, Barça is a little bit short of re-enforcements, especially in attack. Logic tells us that two or three signings will be enough.”

Finally, ‘Charley’ didn’t think twice about commenting on the great year of Asturian striker David Villa. “Except for the final stretch of the season, Villa was scoring on a very regular basis. A good striker should score in every game. I am not used to scoring 3 or 4 goals in one game and then spending five matches without a goal. Villa is one of those forwards that guarantees regularity. His numbers are good but beyond that I think in general, the signing of Villa has been a success.”

Source: fcbarcelona.cat

Barcelona budget fund makes Cesc Fabregas move unlikely

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will only have have 45 million euros to spend on players this summer.

Barcelona vice-president Javier Faus said the figure reflected a need to reduce the club's debt but added "we don't rule out investing more".

However, unless that were to happen, it makes a move for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas unlikely this summer.

The European champions could generate extra funds by offloading players such as Bojan, Maxwell and Jeffren.

If enough cash was made through sales, then the Barcelona-born Fabregas could still return to the Nou Camp, where he was a youth player, before the transfer window deadline in August.

Udinese in Bojan talks

Agent confirms Udinese and Barca in talks over forward


Bojan Krkic's agent has confirmed Udinese are in talks with Barcelona over a possible move for the forward.

The 20-year-old, who is also being linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, is reportedly being offered to Udinese as part of a deal which would see Chile winger Alexis Sanchez move to Camp Nou this summer.

Bojan, who has struggled to get regular first-team football at Barca, has also been strongly linked by the Italian media in recent days with a move to Roma, who will be coached next season by former Barcelona B manager Luis Enrique.

Bojan's agent Zoran Vekic told asromanews.it: "For the time being there is nothing official.

"I know that Barcelona and Udinese are in talks but I don't know the exact details, if it is money or an exchange.

"With regards to Roma, I have been a friend of Luis Enrique for the past 20 years.

"But in the past few days we have never spoken about Bojan so I believe this is just rumours."

Budget announced
Meanwhile, Barcelona have taken the unusual step of announcing their summer transfer budget after confirming they are taking measures to reduce the club's debt.

Javier Faus, the European champions' vice-president of the finance department, said last night coach Pep Guardiola would have "45 million euros (just over £40million) for new signings, plus money that may be obtained from sales".

The announcement has already led to speculation Barca will not be able to move for targets such as Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, although income could be generated from sales of the likes of Bojan, Jeffren and Maxwell.

In announcing a reduction in the amount the club owe, Faus said: "The gross debt has been reduced from 532million euros to 483million euros, and the net debt from 431million euros to 364million euros.

"We want to decide our future and to do so we must reduce the debt to acceptable levels.

"There has been a great effort, which will continue over the next two years, to reduce this debt... a millstone that is essential and indispensable.

"This will make Barcelona the most financially solvent club in the world in two or three years."

Angry Bojan linked with Roma

Striker not happy at being offered to other clubs

Roma could be ready to move for Bojan, who has reacted with anger after being offered to Udinese as part of a transfer.

The young Spanish striker is adamant he wants to fight for his place at Camp Nou, after coming through the youth ranks at Barcelona.

But the 20-year-old has admitted his anger after being reportedly offered to Udinese as part of a possible deal for Alexis Sanchez.

"I feel angry at the situation I am in," Bojan told Rac1.

"I will do everything possible to continue playing for Barcelona.

"Nobody told me that I would be just a player to be exchanged. Nobody likes to be a part of that situation, especially not me."

But Bojan, who has been strongly linked with a move to England, is now being talked about as a Roma target with Barcelona's reserve coach Luis Enrqiue ready to take charge of the Eternal City club.

Rumours of a move for Bojan emerged after Enrique confirmed he would look at his former club.

"I'll look to work with the best players, those who I will find in Rome and those who I'll be able to bring with me from Barcelona," he stated.

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"We have 45 million euros to spend on players" -Barcelona's Economic Vice-Pesident

FC Barcelona’s economic vice-president, Javier Faus, has finally shed some light on what kind of summer the club is likely to have – at least in terms of transfers. Speaking at a press conference, Faus confirmed that the club has 45 million euros to play with over the summer, adding that the figure could grow depending on any potential transfer fees received into the club from player sales or if the club felt such extra investment would be worthwhile for a certain player.


Since arriving alongside new president Sandro Rosell last summer, Faus has insisted that the club has been existing above and beyond its financial means in recent years, with the new board looking to balance the books as soon as possible whilst still keeping the team competitive.

“Barca can not continue losing money. You have to keep investing in the first team, but we must also reduce the debt by paying 31 million a year to banks and other creditors. Any measure that is not on that line is unsustainable.” said Faus, who also explained that the club is determined to bring itself firmly within any future UEFA ‘financial fair play regulation. “We want to decide our own future and in doing so we have to reduce the debt to an acceptable level.”

With the club looking to make savings where it can the board has recently announced that it is to cease its support for many of Barca’s non-professional sporting subsidiaries, with many others set to lose large amounts of funding. But Faus is certain that such sacrifices must be made.

“We must continue working hard to reduce the debt and this is undeniable. The sensibility of FC Barcelona is to do what is needed in each moment. If we don’t, then the club would be in the hands of the banks or the creditors.” said Faus, adding that the club has recently “gone from losing 83 million (euros) to losing only 21 million.“ A figure he recognised was provisional until the club receives its full financial audit at the end of this month.

Moving onto the financial rewards the club has reaped this past year, Faus was surprisingly downbeat although he did foresee a strong financial future for the club, saying “With winning the Champions League, we won four million fewer benefits than we had budgeted for, 34 million instead of the 38 planned, but it is the best investment you can make. Barça has never such recognition as a worldwide brand as now.”

Happy 27th Birthday, Mascherano!

SOURCE ; www.fcbarcelona.cat
Javier Mascherano is celebrating his 27th birthday this Wednesday, his first one since he’s been wearing a Barça shirt. With the League and the Champions League as presents we’re confident that Javier will have one of his best birthdays in recent years.

On June 8, 1984 Javier Alejandro Mascherano was born in the Argentinian town of San Lorenzo. On Wednesday he’ll be celebrating his 27th birthday. With Barça’s season already over, and him getting ready to join the Argentinian squad in preparation for the Copa America this summer, it's time to take stock of the year in which Mascherano signed for FC Barcelona, and won his first Champions League.

282 days at Barça

Javier Mascherano became a FC Barcelona player on the 30th of August 2010. His desire to play at the Camp Nou was evident from the first moment, when he took a 20% drop in his wages to help the transfer along. It was a sign of his commitment, which has continued throughout the season.

From being Busquet’s substitute ...

Javier Mascherano was fully aware when he came to Barcelona that he had a world champion, Sergio Busquets, in front of him, a player who was a fixture in Guardiola’s team. For the Argentinian this was never a problem, but another step forward in his footballing education. He recognised that fact in the first interview that he gave to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat , when he acknowledged that "the demands of a club like Barça will help me grow as a footballer".

... to being a key player in defence

Throughout the season Mascherano's role changed, to the point where Guardiola chose him as the best option as one of the central defenders in the final run-in, in the absence of first team defenders. With all this going on, in April on the Barça TV program “Station Camp Nou”, Mascherano said "I would have preferred to play less and Puyol and Abidal had played more”. Just another demonstration of the solidarity and camaraderie within the team that Mascherano became fully integrated in from day one.

A successful season

In the final balance his defensive performances were first class, and despite losing in the Final of the Spanish Cup, where he was in the starting 11, the Argentinian was a key player in the Champions League games against Real Madrid, and the Wembley Final, starting in all 3 games. Moreover, despite the fear of being a player who picked up quite a few yellow cards , Mascherano managed to fix that problem, and finished the season having picked up only six yellow cards in the the 27 games played, and in the 11 games played in the Champions League he only picked up 1 card. One of the few challenges remaining to him is the fact that he’s the only outfield player who hasn’t scored a goal for FC Barcelona.

Barcelona vs Manchester United 3-1 UEFA Champions League 2011 Final London, England

Barça interested in José Enrique?

According to Catalan paper Mundo Deportivo, Barça are showing interest in left-back José Enrique, hoping to bring the current Newcastle player back to Spain.

Barcelona has ‘rediscovered’ José Enrique Sánchez. Born in Valencia in 1986, Enrique (1.84 m., 76 kgs) was a rising star during his younger days. The player, now 25, has spent four seasons at Newcastle in England. Enrique is better-known in England than in Spain, having only played 38 games in la Liga before joining the ‘Magpies’ in 2007. An international at U-21 level, the player moved from Levante B to Valencia, with whom he did not play any official matches, then spent a few months on loan at Celta de Vigo. A move to Villarreal became a turning point, and after 23 games the ‘Yellow Submarine’s’ investment of 4 million euros was doubled with an 8 million euro move to Newcastle. Now, with one year left on his contract, José Enrique, ‘El Toro’, a nickname given him by Atletico’s Juanfran while together in the Spain U-21′s, is being linked with big clubs like Bayern, Liverpool, Lyon and Barcelona. He is a proper defender, very powerful, determined, intense, good with the ball at this feet and also good in the center of defense. He doesn’t score often, only 2 goals in 175 games, but this is also not the strong point of Eric Abidal, who is venerated at the Camp Nou.

The paper also points out that when asked to choose between Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi, José Enrique was clear: “Without doubt, Messi. I faced him and between Cristiano and Messi, I would sign Messi, of course. He has all the conditions to be the best footballer in history.” A good start from ‘The Bull’.

Valdes: " The mood in the squad is good"

FC Barcelona goalkeeper, Victor Valdes, has been speaking ahead of Spain’s international friendly with Venezuela tonight, with the Barça shot-stopper explaining that the mood in the Spain camp is a good one, despite the many challenges faced this season by those who play their football in Barcelona and Madrid.

Speaking to Angel Rodriguez, Valdes said, “The mood in the squad is very good. Of course the atmosphere from what has already been is still present but it is not good, in football, to carry with us the things that have happened over the last year.”

Referring to the fact that he is set to start in goal for tonight’s friendly, Valdes was clearly pleased, saying, “To be at the head of the Spanish team is one of my goals. I see the opportunity tonight as a reward for the good work I have been doing, especially considering the group we have here, and for me it is a very exciting time.”

Asked about next season’s Spanish Super Cup, in which Barça will once again take on their great rivals Real Madrid, the Barça number one seemed quietly confident. “It will be a very intense start to the season. It’s nice to be there to compete for the Supercopa. We start the season with all new challenges. The last few seasons have been a very close fight between Barça and Madrid, and this season will be the same.“

Xavi - We're the best

Barca midfielder hails Guardiola's troops

Barcelona ace Xavi has claimed the European champions are the best team of the last 20 years and hailed Lionel Messi as the best player of all time.

The Catalan giants swept all before them once again in the recently-completed season and the Spain international insists they come top of the charts from the past two decades.

Barca completed a remarkable season at Wembley when they added the UEFA Champions League trophy to yet another Spanish league crown.

Xavi is well aware of some of the great teams in recent memory and he is of the firm belief that Barcelona's current crop of stars finishes top of the pile.

"There have been some great teams in history, Pele's Brazil, (Johan) Cruyff's Ajax, (Arrigo) Sacchi's Milan but in the past 20 years this Barcelona team is the best," he told Bild.

On Messi, he added: "He is the best player of all time - better than Pele, Maradona or Cruyff. We have to protect him as he is crucial.

"Without him we would not be what we are."

Destroy

The only black mark on a fine season for Barcelona was the Copa del Rey final defeat to arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Xavi, though, was critical of the approach adopted by Jose Mourinho's men throughout the season.

He said: "Madrid were the hardest opponents but not because they played football but because they wanted to destroy the game.

"I like Manchester United's approach a thousand times better. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Real did play."

Speculation prior to the Wembley showpiece suggested coach Pep Guardiola was on the verge of standing down but Xavi hopes the former Barcelona midfielder "stays forever".

He added: "He (Guardiola) is very intelligent, very enthusiastic and very 'Barcelona-ish'.

"He is a great coach and I hope he stays forever, if not as coach then as sporting director or president."

Thiago Gunners link rejected

Fabregas swap talk dismissed with Thiago set to stay at Barca

Thiago Alcantara's father has rejected reports that the Barcelona starlet could go to Arsenal as part of a swap deal for Cesc Fabregas.

Reports have suggested Barcelona were prepared to offer Thiago in part-exchange in a £50million swoop for long-term transfer target Fabregas.

20-year-old Thiago is highly-rated at Camp Nou, but he has found first-team opportunities hard to come by because of Barca's star-studded line-up.

It had been suggested Barcelona were hoping to finally persuade Arsenal to part with Fabregas by offering Thiago as part of the deal.

Contract
However, Thiago's father, former Brazil international Mazinho, claims the midfielder is going nowhere as he remains part of Pep Guardiola's plans.

"We have seen the news in the papers, but I belive that Thiago is in the plans of Guardiola for next season," Mazinho told EFE.

"My son stays at Barcelona. They have a contract and we have decided it's continuity.

"Thiago is developing and needs to evolve.

"This season was important, but next season could be better."

Villa wants Fabregas move

Barcelona striker insists the Arsenal captain deserves a return to Barca

David Villa believes Cesc Fabregas deserves to return to his boyhood club Barcelona.

The Spanish striker insists he would welcome the Arsenal captain back to Catalonia if the 24-year-old was to make a move from the Emirates.

And Villa, whose team claimed a comfortable Champions League victory over Manchester United, thinks Fabregas would fit in to a team fast becoming dubbed the best in history.

Champions
The Gunners midfielder has endured a disappointing season with Arsenal which culminated in Manchester City clinching third spot to ensure automatic Champions League qualification.

While a successful 2010/11 campaign for Barca highlighted the already outstanding options coach Pep Guardiola has available.

But despite the accomplishments of the European champions, Villa is adamant his Spain team-mate, who was signed by Barcelona's youth academy aged 10, can play a key role at Camp Nou.

The Spanish striker told Cadena COPE radio: "As a player, everybody knows what Barcelona brings. And as a person, he [Fabregas] deserves to return to Barcelona, his family is here and it is where he started.

"Having him would be a great joy and I'd be happy for him because he deserves it, and I'd be happy to have him as my team-mate."

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Sanchez confirms Barca liking

Gifted Chilean reportedly set to join European champions


Udinese star Alexis Sanchez has stated that Barcelona would be a 'splendid destination' following reports a switch is imminent.

The Chile international has been the subject of interest from several of Europe's top sides, with Manchester City and Manchester United rumoured to be amongst his suitors.

But it is suggested Barca are closing in on a deal to land the 22-year-old, who joined Udinese from Cobreloa in 2006.

"Barcelona would be a splendid destination," Sanchez told Futbol. "The interest of great clubs in me makes me proud. It means I am doing well.

"I want to progress, play and win important trophies and to do this you need to play for the most prestigious clubs. Therefore I hope to have this chance."

Willian: “I am ready for Barça”

Shakhtar Donetsk winger, Willian, has revealed that his desire for this summer is to make the much rumoured move to FC Barcelona come true. Speaking to Sport, the Brazilian expressed his admiration for the Catalan club’s style, as well as for the vast array of talent the club currently has at its disposal – not least of all the manager, Pep Guardiola.

Currently on holiday in Sao Paulo, William took some time to speak to the Spanish sports paper to ensure that his name is not forgotten when Pep and Zubi begin to make their deals in the transfer window. “I am very happy to see how my work is being recognized and how I am associated with the best team in the world. I hope everything goes well and comes to pass, it is difficult to be calm in a situation like this, but I try to keep a cool head.”

Willian, who moved to Donetsk from Corinthians in Brazil, explained that he was fully versed in the Barça style and would work hard to adapt to the team if he were to get his dream move, even if forcing his way in may not be so easy. “I am fully prepared to play for Barcelona, ​​I have grown up, I need new challenges, and I think it would be very difficult to adapt to the team.” He continued, saying, “to bridge that gap, we [Shakhtar] also play on the attack, we like to have the ball and to play with quick touches, so I’m used to playing such attacking football.”

Having spent 4 years in the Ukraine, appearing 99 times for Shakhtar, Willian is sure that he has demonstrated enough quality to prove himself worthy of such a big move, with the forward saying, “At Shakhtar I have played in multiple positions and have played on the wing, on the left, or sometimes, more centralized, or even deeper in the middle to help out. I have given my best for the club, I have won 8 titles in these past 4 years, including the UEFA Cup, but I have reached a stage in my career where I need new horizons and I do not think there will be difficulties in any negotiations.”

Asked about former Barça player Dmytry Chygrynskiy, the winger confirmed he had asked his team-mate for some advice about how things are done in Catalunya. “He explained how they train, that they always work with the ball, a maximum of two touches and at incredible speed. He also commented on how the club is, how the fans treat you and how good it is to live in Barcelona, ​​a modern, cosmopolitan city. I would not have any problems adapting to the club and the culture. There have been many Brazilians who have been there, and they are still there and have all succeeded.”

Finally, Willian, came to the subject of Pep Guardiola, or as the Brazilian calls him, “the best coach in the world“, with the Shakhtar man explaining how “I am proud that Guardiola appreciates my work and my dedication. To me this is very important, it means I’m doing well.”



Read more: http://www.totalbarca.com/2011/news/willian-i-am-ready-for-barca/#ixzz1ObWDnDWh

As reported on Barcelona’s

official site

, Nolito, Vázquez, Abraham, Edu Oriol and Benja will not be part of the Barça B squad next season. The five ended their contractual relationship with the club with the conclusion of the season and will not continue in the reserves next year.

Víctor Vázquez had already made it known that after 5 seasons in the B team, he will undertake a new adventure with Belgian club Bruges. Nolito has committed to Portuguese side Benfica for next season. Besides these two players, it was announced on Monday that Abraham, Edu Oriol and Benja will also be leaving the club.

Abraham Minero, 25, played for one season with Barça B. Formed in the blaugrana system in the alevín levels, the native of Granollers arrived last summer to the B team from Sant Andreu. Abraham has been a regular starter at left back and has even played on the inside. Minero played 1870 minutes in 24 games.

Edu Oriol, 24, has played with Barça B for two seasons offering very consistent performances. Arriving from Sant Andreu, the player alternated during his first season as both a midfielder and a forward. This season he has proven indispensable for Luis Enrique on the right wing and occasionally as a right back. Edu Oriol has played in 31 matches, scoring 6 goals in 2,068 minutes.

Benjamin Martinez, ‘Benja’, 23, has been with Barça B for two and a half seasons. Signed in the summer of 2008, he played on loan at Reus, but in January 2009 Luis Enrique decided to recall the player. Useful for his power and ability to unbalance defenders, attacking from either side, he never really broke into the side as a starter but was still a valuable resource, especially for away matches. Benja started in 12 of the 21 games he participated in with the reserves. In 1021 minutes, he scored 5 goals.

In 2010-’11, Víctor Vázquez completed his fifth consecutive season in Barça B. Vázquez, 24, shared the locker room at the junior levels with Messi and Pique and has always stood out for his touch and a remarkable vision of the game. A serious injury last season made it difficult for him to be a starter. In the present season he participated in 25 matches but had only 8 starts. In 995 minutes he has scored a goal. He destination is Bruges in Belgium.

Manuel Agudo, ‘Nolito’ has featured regularly in all three seasons in which Luis Enrique has been the coach of the reserves. After a year in which he had to earn his place, he has since become one of the key players of Barça B. Situated as a left winger, he is noticeable for his dribbling and ability to score goals and make assists. This season he debuted with the first team in the League and Copa. With Barça B Nolito played 2,844 minutes in 38 games and scored 13 goals. Nolito explained to Barça TV the reason for his departure: “The Club offered for me to continue [with a new contract] and Luis Enrique wanted to convince me to renew but I preferred to accept an offer from Benfica that convinced me [to move on].”

Puyol and Xavi, among candidates for Golden Foot 2011

Two FC Barcelona players, Puyol and Xavi, are among the candidates for this year’s Golden Foot Award, an award for active players aged over 29 years.


A jury of 58 sports reporters from around the world have drafted the list of ten candidates for the award, who are: David Beckham, Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, Ryan Giggs, Raúl González, Javier Zanetti and Barça’s own Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernández.

The prize will be presented three days later, on October 10 in Montecarlo. The winner, like last year, will leave his footprint on the ‘Champions Promenade’, the footballing ‘Walk of Fame’.

Previous winners

2003 Roberto Baggio
2004 Pavel Nedved
2005 Andrei Shevchenko
2006 Ronaldo
2007 Alessandro del Piero
2008 Roberto Carlos
2009 Ronaldinho
2010 Francesco Totti

The Beginning - 2011/2012

As a true Barça fan, I thought I would start up this blog again to keep interest in all the club news, transfer rumours and of course the official signings of the upcoming season.

I started this blog back in 2009 but due to work commitments, I could no longer keep updating it, so now with a bit more time on my hands, I decided to start it up again.

I hope you all enjoy reading these articles as much as I enjoy writing them!!

Visca El Barça !!