Pablo Zabaleta Convinced Messi Will Join Manchester City Next Summer

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Dec 16, 2020

Pablo Zabaleta Convinced Messi Will Join Manchester City Next Summer

Pablo Zabaleta believes Manchester City will be Lionel Messi’s next destination.

Barcelona have been unable to convince Messi into staying as he plays out the final season of his contract.

After a very tense summer, the forward is tipped to leave and his compatriot, Zabaleta believes it will be to City. He said, “Manchester City is the best place for Messi.

“It’s sad to see him in his current situation. I never thought he’d go into his last year of contract at Barcelona. The team aren’t playing well and it seems as though they’re not enjoying their football. We’ll see what happens with Messi at the end of the season.”

Barcelona are eighth in the La Liga table with Messi far from his usual best. But City are not in a better off position either. After Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion, Pep Guardiola’s men sit sixth in the table with 20 points collected out of 12 games.

“He has a close friend in Sergio [Aguero] at City and he has worked with Pep before at Barcelona,” Zabaleta added. “They know each other and some of the other people on the board know him as well. If Messi decides to leave Barcelona and play in a different country, then of course City are a club he could join.”

Ronald Koeman Denies Rumours Of Player Unrest

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Bishwaraj Bhattacharyya

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Dec 16, 2020

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Ronald Koeman Denies Rumours Of Player Unrest

Ronald Koeman feels the atmosphere in the Barcelona dressing room has been positive lately.

Through what has been a difficult season for Barca, rumours started to arise about issues behind the scenes.

“I see a good atmosphere in the squad, in training and matches. I don’t see any problems between the players,” said Koeman ahead of Barca’s clash with Real Sociedad. “Yesterday they threw a Christmas party after training. There was a great atmosphere and drink flowing.”

Sociedad currently lead the La Liga table with points matched with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. Barcelona are way below them in the table but have a chance to climb up with a win on Wednesday.

“They are a good team. You can tell they’ve been playing together for a few years,” said Koeman. “I like how they play. I’m aware we’ll have to play well, with confidence and possession to cause them problems.

“I think it will be an open match, last year it was open. Both teams want to have the ball and press so I expect a nice, open game.”

Barcelona are eighth in the table and 9 points behind the top three clubs.

Koeman welcomes Barcelona-PSG clash!

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Aparajita

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Dec 15, 2020

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Koeman welcomes Barcelona-PSG clash! — Bildbyran

Ronald Koeman has welcomed the challenge posed by PSG.

Barcelona has been drawn against PSG in what will be the most exciting fixture in the round of 16 in the Champions League knockout stage.

And despite going through a tough time in the league and in Europe, Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has welcomed the competition to face PSG.

“We knew that we could get a very strong opponent in the draw, but I think the tie is even,” Koeman declared in an interview with Barca TV.

“PSG have hurt us before, but it’s also difficult for them because we have such strong team.

“It will be close, they are a club that spends a lot of money to fight for every title, including the Champions League. Last year they reached the final and they are a team that always has to be at that level, but we want to go through.”

When pressed on the possibility of players being able to recover in time for the two matches against Tuchel’s charges, the Dutch coach was somewhat reticent.

“You never know what the situation will be in February,” he added.

“Now it’s important to focus on the league games.

“When the match against PSG arrives, hopefully we will have recovered some of our injured players.”

See More: Barcelona Transfers History 2020: Players Barca signed!

Xavi backed to become Barcelona coach

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Aparajita

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Dec 15, 2020

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Xavi backed to become Barcelona coach — Bildbyran

Javier Saviola has backed Xavi Hernandez to coach FC Barcelona.

Xavi came back into the foray of European media news after breaking into the Ballon d’Or team of all time. And his friend, Saviola was happy for the former Spanish midfielder.

“Today is a day of celebration for the Spanish football,” Saviola told Radio MARCA.

“I have not only admired [Xavi] as a football player but also as a friend. What stands out the most is his game vision.

Saviola went on to admire Xavi’s mentality and thinking ability and backed him to become a great coach.

“It seemed that he had a mirror behind him, he always controlled everything that was around him. I think Xavi will end up coaching Barcelona, he has their DNA.

“He is coaching to gain experience and preparing to get to that bench. He will surely choose when and how he returns to Barcelona.”

Barca are currently running through their presidential elections with many candidates vowing to bring back Xavi as a coach should they get elected.

See More: FC Barcelona Squad 2020: Teams, Salaries, Contracts and Transfers

‘Of Course We Can Win’ The Title – Ronald Koeman Still Believes

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Bishwaraj Bhattacharyya

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Dec 14, 2020

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'Of Course We Can Win' The Title - Ronald Koeman Still Believes

Ronald Koeman has not given up on Barcelona’s seasonal aspirations just yet.

The Blaugrana boss maintains that winning the La Liga title is still possible following a 1-0 win over Levante.

Barcelona currently sit eighth in the table, nine points behind leaders Real Sociedad. Atletico Madrid dropped points after losing 2-0 to Real Madrid on Saturday.

“Of course we can win [the title],” Koeman said after the Levante win. “If we improve and we have more confidence and we improve our effectiveness [in front of goal], there’s a chance! There are still lots of games left remaining.”

Lionel Messi has seen his scoring number reduce drastically. His goal on Sunday was only his fifth of the La Liga season so far.

“You have to realise they don’t make it easy for him,” Koeman said on his captain. “He’s marked by lots [of players]. But he’s shown he’s decisive.”

Samuel Umtiti, who has been an absentee over the last couple of seasons due to injury, came on in the final minutes to see out the game.

“If you need something to finish the game and your opponents are putting more people forward and they’re being dangerous, you have to defend the result,” Koeman explained. “It was important to win this game. It gives us confidence for Wednesday.”

The system is not the problem at Barcelona – Jordi Alba

By

Sroban Ghosh

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Dec 14, 2020

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The system is not the problem at Barcelona - Jordi Alba — Bildbyran

Jordi Alba believes Ronald Koeman’s system is not the reason for Barcelona’s poor run of form.

The Catalan giants earned three points against Levante which ended a run of two straight defeats.

Alba believes his team was better defensively and insisted that they needed Lionel Messi who scored the only goal of the game.

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“Defensively, we were much much better than in other games and we created chances in attack. In the end we scored one of them and got three points. We played well and showed responsibility.

“We feel good. I don’t think the system is a problem. We are still playing the same way. In this game, we played with more freedom in the middle. We have to adapt to the game because all teams play in different ways. So it depends on the opponent, what the coach wants.

“We have dropped points shouldn’t have but the league is open. This year, different teams are up there and it’s important for the level in the league, there’s a good level in the league, and we are trying to stay up the top.”

See More: 5 Barcelona Players Leaving: Top 5 Exits From Barcelona

‘Of course I Am Worried’ – Ronald Koeman Admits To Barcelona Concerns

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Bishwaraj Bhattacharyya

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Dec 13, 2020

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'Of course I Am Worried' - Ronald Koeman Admits To Barcelona Concerns

Ronald Koeman admits that he is worried as Barcelona closes in on a horrific year.

With several changes due behind the scenes, Koeman has found it difficult to get this Barca squad firing again.

They are currently being run by an interim-president in place after Josep Maria Bartomeu stepped down. Elections for a new head of matters has been scheduled for January which could eventually decide Lionel Messi’s future at the club.

Koeman said, “I understand them. They have been winning titles and at the top for a long time and now they see us lose to Getafe or Cadiz.

“The situation is complicated at the club and may change in January with the new president. Until then, we’ll try to get the most out of the team. I don’t need support, I accept that the culprit is the coach when there aren’t good results. No problem.”

Koeman at least has the backing of his players who he credited with making him feel comfortable at his job.

“I think so, because I couldn’t work without their trust,” he said. “I feel comfortable. Of course, I’m worried about the trajectory. We try to improve, and there is time to react.

“We are in a difficult time at the club, and not only because of the sporting issue. We are looking for the best in every way and I see that the squad are eager and know where we have to go.”

Barcelona sit ninth in the La Liga table with a game against Levante set for this Sunday. Koeman added, “The team have enough personality and experience,” I don’t believe in psychologists and mental things. If you are at Barca you have to overcome the pressure.”

Koeman On How Barcelona Can Perform Better This Season

By

Aparajita

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Dec 13, 2020

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Koeman On How Barcelona Can Perform Better This Season — Bildbyran

Ronald Koeman has reached out to his squad to perform better in order to win more games.

He believes that he has the squad’s full support and has asked them to ‘improve concentration’ to get back into form – which is how he believes will improve the season.

“We have to improve concentration and defend with more intensity,” Koeman, who has also admitted to being worried about the upcoming presidential elections said, according to Sport. “I’m not talking about the system. We conceded 11 goals and they are penalties, mistakes, individual errors.

“We are the team that has created the most opportunities in the league and that’s thanks to the system. We have players like [Lionel] Messi, Pedri and [Antoine] Griezmann. They need space and freedom. And we look for the best for these players with this system.

“We are in a difficult moment at the club, not only on a sporting level. There are many more things. We look for the best in every way. I see the squad is keen and wants to improve. They know where we have to go. You cannot change in two days, you have to work to improve.”

“I think the players believe in me. If not, I couldn’t work,” the former Everton and Netherlands boss said. “We are trying to improve things. There is enough time to react, but after these last few results you have to face up to it.”

See More: 10 common Barcelona-Chelsea players: Top 10 players who played for both clubs

Messi must accept changing role or…

By

Aparajita

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Dec 12, 2020

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Messi must accept changing role or... — Bildbyran

Messi and Barcelona go hand in hand.

At least that is how it has been for the last decade. The man defines the club. So it is no surprise that in the upcoming new election, the main agenda of everyone running is to talk about their plan of how they will approach the Messi situation.

One presidential candidate Vilajoana has said that Messi has talked about how Lionel has to accept his changed role at the club.

Vilajoana told AS: “I don’t believe in toxic players. The issue is how the players adapt to the group and the group to a player like Messi. The roles of the players change.

“Messi has to adopt another role, which is not that of the first ten years. And that is a task for the coach, the teammates and, mainly, Messi. They ask me about Leo Messi and I always say: the first one to ask is Messi.

“Ask him if he wants to continue playing for the best club in the world, which is Barça. Let’s see what he answers and, if on the 24th I’m president, explain to him what his role should be in the last years of his sports career.”

It now remains to be seen how Messi will react to these statements if Barcelona do get Vilajoana become president.

See More: 10 Worst Barcelona signings: Top 10 worst Barcelona transfers!

Neymar transfer ruined everything – Vilajoana

By

Aparajita

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Dec 12, 2020

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Neymar transfer ruined everything - Vilajoana — Bildbyran

Neymar left Barcelona back in 2017.

The transfer happened 3 years back but the club has not gotten over him yet.

The transfer definitely broke the world record back then and it is still yet to be surpassed. Barcelona presidential candidate Vilajoana has talked about how that one transfer ruined the club.

Vilajoana told AS: “The departure of Neymar affected the club in the sense that the regeneration that had been thought began with Neymar, who should’ve been Messi’s natural replacement.

“And then you leave in the middle of the project which generates a shock that, at that moment, confused. The fact of having a world star who could decide matches confused the thinking that a single player could win matches. We lost sight of the added value of the community. And that’s when sports policy began to go wrong.

“Trying to search for trading cards to find a substitute. And a team never find substitutes but other players who can contribute different things to a squad. And that was the mistake.”

See More: FC Barcelona Squad 2020: Teams, Salaries, Contracts and Transfers

FC Barcelona Latest News.com

Pablo Zabaleta Convinced Messi Will Join Manchester City Next Summer

Pablo Zabaleta believes Manchester City will be Lionel Messi’s next destination.

Ronald Koeman Denies Rumours Of Player Unrest

Ronald Koeman feels the atmosphere in the Barcelona dressing room has been positive lately.

Koeman welcomes Barcelona-PSG clash!

Ronald Koeman has welcomed the challenge posed by PSG.

Xavi backed to become Barcelona coach

Javier Saviola has backed Xavi Hernandez to coach FC Barcelona.

‘Of Course We Can Win’ The Title – Ronald Koeman Still Believes

Ronald Koeman has not given up on Barcelona’s seasonal aspirations just yet.

The system is not the problem at Barcelona – Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba believes Ronald Koeman’s system is not the reason for Barcelona’s poor run of form.

‘Of course I Am Worried’ – Ronald Koeman Admits To Barcelona Concerns

Ronald Koeman admits that he is worried as Barcelona closes in on a horrific year.

Koeman On How Barcelona Can Perform Better This Season

Ronald Koeman has reached out to his squad to perform better in order to win more games.

Messi must accept changing role or…

Messi and Barcelona go hand in hand.

Neymar transfer ruined everything – Vilajoana

Neymar left Barcelona back in 2017.

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