TheNewsGuru

Tag: Barca

  • What I really think of Memphis Depay – Mourinho

    What I really think of Memphis Depay – Mourinho

    Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says he’s a fan of Barcelona signing Memphis Depay.

    Mourinho feels Depay joined United too early in his career.

    “He is a really good professional. People can look at him and probably think he’s a party boy,” new Roma coach Mourinho told talkSPORT. “I think he got this maturity in Lyon which is sometimes what players need.

    “Sometimes they can go too early to the biggest clubs where they are not ready to cope with it. Where they are not ready to understand that in the biggest clubs there are internal competition, that you can not play all the time. That there are fantastic players to fight with you for a position. They can lose a little sense of reality and become a bit childish. Which is what happened.

    “So when he decided to go to Lyon it was a great move for him and now he goes to Barcelona with maturity, with a good football age and I believe the Barcelona culture of football will help him also to level up in this important part of his career. But good memories of him and I repeat – he was a good professional.”

  • La Liga: Messi calls Laporta with Barca contract answer

    La Liga: Messi calls Laporta with Barca contract answer

    Lionel Messi has assured Barcelona he is ready to sign a new contract.

    Messi’s current deal will expire at the end of June and there have been doubts about his commitment to Barca with the midfielder away at the Copa America with Argentina.

    However, Spanish reporter Miguel Rico says Messi has given a definitive ‘yes’ to president Joan Laporta that he will sign the renewal.

    Barca have managed to fit the Argentine captain’s salary inside their budget and he will sign until 2023.

    Messi has called Laporta directly to confirm that he is prepared to sign the new deal.

  • Dembele forced to withdraw from France’s Euro 2020 squad

    Dembele forced to withdraw from France’s Euro 2020 squad

    Ousmane Dembele has been forced to withdraw from the France squad with an injury he picked up in the draw against Hungary at the weekend.

    The Barcelona forward had come on as a second-half substitute at the Puskas Arena, with France trailing to Hungary, but he had to be replaced by Thomas Lemar in the 87th minute after feeling discomfort in his knee.

    Les Bleus have now confirmed that after examinations in hospital he will fly back home and will play no further part in Euro 2020.

    Didier Deschamps confirmed it was a tendon issue in his knee and Dembele did not feature at all as the squad trained in Budapest on Sunday evening.

    A statement released from the French camp on Monday morning confirmed he had undergone radiological examinations in Budapest Hospital on Sunday evening and his recovery time means he will miss the rest of the tournament.

  • Euro 2020: Barca player rescues France to deny fans Euro shock

    Euro 2020: Barca player rescues France to deny fans Euro shock

    Antoine Griezmann rescued a point for France and denied Hungary one of the big European Championship shocks in front of a raucous 60,000 crowd in Budapest.

    Attila Fiola fired Hungary into the lead just before the break as he held off the French defence to slot home after a one-two with Roland Sallai.

    The goal was met by one of the loudest celebrations football has heard since March 2020 – or even before then – as the Puskas Arena went wild.

    Fiola banged a pitchside reporter’s table and knocked items off before he and his team-mates embraced some of the fans in the front row.

    World champions France, tipped by many as the tournament favourites, had dominated the first half, with Kylian Mbappe in lively form again, before that goal.

    Les Bleus were not impressive, although they did come back in the second half.

    First, substitute Ousmane Dembele hit the post – and then his Barcelona team-mate Griezmann equalised.

    Mbappe ran onto Hugo Lloris’ huge kick down the field before laying it off – with the aid of a slight deflection – for Griezmann to slot home from eight yards.

    The atmosphere was electric, but neither side could find a winner.

    There was almost late drama when Presnel Kimpembe appeared to be fouled in the box by Sallai – but France were not given a penalty – and Raphael Varane headed wide with the last touch.

    France, on four points, have probably done enough to reach the last 16 from Group F – although it is not guaranteed yet – and Hungary have kept their qualification hopes alive.

  • Why Wijnaldum chose PSG over Barca – Koeman

    Why Wijnaldum chose PSG over Barca – Koeman

    Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman admits he spoke to Georginio Wijnaldum about moving to the Nou Camp.

    The off contract Liverpool midfielder has chosen PSG over Barca.

    Koeman, who was speaking at an unveiling of a statue of his father in Gronigen.

    And he went on to comment about why Wijnladum ending up choosing to sign for Paris Saint-Germain instead of Barcelona.

    “I spoke with Gini [Wijnaldum] about signing him and in the end he made a decision,” Koeman confirmed. “It had to do with Barcelona’s situation.”

  • A joke the way we gave Suarez to Atletico – Alba

    A joke the way we gave Suarez to Atletico – Alba

    Barcelona fullback Jordi Alba has taken aim at former president Joan Laporta.

    Alba has blasted Bartomeu for allowing Luis Suarez to leave for Atletico Madrid, where he won the LaLiga title this season.

    The Barca defender said, “Luis gave so much to Barça and we gave him to Atlético. He won the championship, it seems to be a joke.

    “Beyond the friendship that united us, where do you find a striker like him? He has silenced many mouths.”

    On coach Ronald Koeman being confirmed, Alba was happy with the decision.

    He added: “He had a good season. It wasn’t easy, he had to field many very young players. Playing with three central defenders gave us stability, we played our best games like this. The management of the group was also good.”

  • Barca schedule date for Depay signing announcement

    Barca schedule date for Depay signing announcement

    La Liga giant Barcelona are preparing to announce the signing of Lyon striker Memphis Depay this week.

    Sport says Depay will become Barcelona’s fourth signing of the summer after the arrivals of Sergio ‘Kun’ Agüero, Eric Garcia and Emerson.

    A final agreement is close to being signed off and Barça hope to officially announce Depay’s signing on Friday, before the start of the European Championships.

    That way, the Lyon forward’s future will not become a distraction during the tournament and he can focus exclusively on the Netherlands.

    Depay’s deal with Lyon expires on June 30 and he will sign for Barça on a free transfer.

    The forward wants to make the move to Camp Nou and be reunited with Ronald Koeman, his previous coach with the Netherlands, and the final details should be sorted soon.

  • What Koeman told Barca fans after board support

    What Koeman told Barca fans after board support

    Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has told fans he’s delighted to have been confirmed as manager for next season at Camp Nou.

    With Koeman now confirmed as being in charge for the final year of his contract at least, Barcelona will move forward with the signing of Memphis Depay on a free transfer, with the former Manchester United winger having been an express request of the coach.

    “I am relieved to say that my players and my staff can now fully focus on the new season, the last few weeks have been intense, but I’m glad the president has given me his support.” Koeman posted on Instagram.

    “Calm has now been restored and everyone’s goal at the club remains the same, to build a winning Barcelona and to achieve success.”

    Barca have already added Manchester City pair Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia, along with Real Betis fullback Emerson Royal, to Koeman’s squad.

  • When Messi speaks, you must listen – Pedri

    When Messi speaks, you must listen – Pedri

    Barcelona midfielder Pedri is eager to see Lionel Messi sign a new contract.

    Pedri struck a good partnership with the Barca captain last season, which saw the youngster make Spain’s Euros squad this month.

    He said, “I hope Messi is still at Barça, but it’s his decision. If it were my decision, yes.

    “He has always given me advice, if the best player in the world tells you, you have to listen to him.”

    On coach Ronald Koeman’s future, Pedri added: “I am grateful to Koeman for the minutes he has given me. His future has to be decided by the club, I don’t get involved there. The president has to decide it.”

  • We’ll find right player to replace Aguero – Man City chairman

    We’ll find right player to replace Aguero – Man City chairman

    Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has hinted of a big name signing to replace Sergio Aguero this summer.

    Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, of Borussia Dortmund, are on City’s list of targets after club record goal scorer Aguero joined Barcelona as a free agent.

    “We lose a very important legend in Sergio Aguero,” said Khaldoon. “Very hard shoes to fill, but I’m confident that we will find the right player to fill those shoes.

    “There are other areas within the group that obviously need investment. Not too many, it’s not about numbers, it’s about quality.

    “I think it’s a phenomenal squad. You don’t win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final if you don’t have an incredible squad. We will bring quality into the squad in a couple of key positions.

    “One of the things I’ve learned over the years is you need to constantly bring talent into the team. Refresh. Particularly when you are at a high level, when you are on the top.

    “Having won the league, it is not the time to sit back and be content. That actually would be your biggest mistake.

    “This is the time to send a strong message that there is no contentment, that you are not satisfied with just winning the league.”