Makes a good conspiracy until you realise that Paulinho was Guangzhou's star player and they wanted to keep him. Barca had to pay his release clause to get him. It's still a bit of a weird signing, but Paulinho has been incredible for Brazil and one of their best players under Tite. He'll be a solid enough signing and offers something that Barca's current midfield doesnt.
No it's weird because Barca again are blocking the way for La Masia graduates in favour of a 29 pretty average (for Barca standards) 40m player. They already ****ed Thiago off and now Samper and Alena could be following him out the door
Samper who wasn't good enough for Granada last season? Paulinho is being really unfairly judged on his Spurs stint where he wasn't that bad. Yeah he's not exactly the first player you'd think of when you think of Barca signings but they have a history of signing aging players, even before their current board. He's been one of Brazils top 3 players and they've been tearing it up lately, he's a good box to box midfielder which Barca do not have. Yeah Barca have been pretty **** with La Masia graduates recently, but they've obviously made the decision that they can't afford give graduates who aren't genuinely first team quality, the kind of game time they need to fulfill their potential.
Or perhaps rather than the "Mez de in club" nonsense they actually are similar to man united in the 90s and produced a once in a generation crop of players good enough for their first team (xavi, iniesta, busquets, messi, pique) at one time and are now trading off it (with theirs being a cut above what man united produced). Sure the odd player has come through since then but no way near the same volume
It comes down to who wins the elections and how they decide to run the club. The fans own the club at the end of the day, which is where that slogan comes from.
Coutinho is out of the Liverpool game with a bad back Hope it's better when he has to lift all that money.
Nice article on why Gylfi isn't very good. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...on-leicester-swansea-latest-a7837516.html?amp
The author is correct though....45 million is ridiculous....I would expect an on form Mane for that. It's a case of being determined on buying something in an auction and not realising till afterwards what you have paid. At least some of the money must reflect desperation and not wanting to start again in a difficult market.
Has anyone commented on Man City being linked with Jonny Evans I first heard this from an indirect source 10 days ago. Should have put a bet on ...
Exactly....in the present climate, who could they get for that money with the window closing in a few weeks.
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.c...benedikt-howedes-shopped-to-english-clubs-20m Howedes apparently being pimped round to English clubs.
As we sit and write this evening, he will be unsettled. I bet he is making noises to the club that he wants the opportunity to hear them out or leave. £18M is a piss take, even though I'm not a JE fan.
