Eto'o Or Villa?

ooooh this is definetley going to be one with some split opinions.

im definetely divided on this choice. but only divided in this sense. i want etoo to stay. ive always felt very lucky to have a striker of his quality. i actually like his attitude. people say he caused shit 2 yrs back, but he had every right to publically slander deco and roni considering how little they trained and how often they were hungover. i thought it took courage and principles to stand up to them. then, he works harder than any striker around. his exemplifies defending from the front and its very important in the system we play. then there is that other little thing, HE SCORES. look at his stats above, its nearly .75 goals a game. plz show me more than 2 other strikers with such a record.

well that brings me nicely to david villa, one of those that can nearly claim such a ratio. for spain he has been brilliant also. david villa also has one of the higher work rates around, his movement is brilliant, and ill concede his finishing is definetely more clinical and his heading is for sure better. i also think he has scored with fewer chances, but that takes nothing away from etoo. all this talk of his lack of finishing is basically garbage and short term memory. in the many years now he has scored great goals, so many out of nothing with a thunderous shot.

so im divided. i want etoo to stay, but if he feels he needs to try something new, earn a bunch more money doing it, ill sending him off with only happy memories. unlike others. but etoo needs to decided and tell barca that he is here for the long haul. we cant have a saga like this every year. he needs to decided to be here and be happy for at least 3 years, and not make comments around his future that are misleading. he needs to commmit. if he feels he doesnt want that, i can understand getting villa, and ill be very excited to see him.

seems there is a big press conference tomorrow from etoo's agent anyhow. so we wont have to wait much longer i hope.

Either way Barca need a player to cover for the African Cup of Nations.

Henry and Iniesta on the left wing, with Messi and Iniesta again on the right wing. Whilst Henry is still a top class player, Im not sure he would suit being upfront just for 2 months as it takes time to adapt to positions so it would make sense to just get in another forward.

Villa would be great but I think both could NOT play in the style of Barca. We would have to bring in another younger striker who would happy being a sub untill December (hence the buy of Kerrison to Barca).

However, Eto going and Villa coming would not be the worse move in the world. I am personally AGAINST such a move. Eto runs more, is stronger, more aggresive and is more physically raw then Villa. And also when it comes down to it, he has scored more. I think Villa would be a World Class player for Barca and would score just as many as Eto and to be honest I think the fact that it is an African Cup of Nations year that it could sway the move and push it through.

Whatever happens, its sure to split the Cules as Eto will be one tough player to replace and it will be a gamble for all involved.

That's simple:Eto'o!!!!no doubt about it, no nuancing this one, no ...nothing...,Eto'o is the one I like between the two. But I will be happy if I can get both.

RE PRESS CONF. TOM.:

His agent is doing the press conference and I do not think that he will be present. What it tells me is that he is staying. Eto'o will not let someone else say goodbye to Barcelona on his behalf. He is too much of an alpha for that. So, it looks likely that we might end up with both, which really pleases me. The feedback has also been very positive from Xavi and Puyol regarding Villa and his ability to fit in. So, I am very encouraged...defenders, people, defenders that's what we really need!!!

Is it bad that I'm going to blindly agree with whatever Pep thinks is best?

For real, whatever he wants, I'm going to trust.

If he thinks Eto'o should go and bring in Villa, I'm fine with that. If he thinks we shouldn't get Villa, I trust his decision will be what's best.

He bleeds Barcelona, it's in his heart, his veins, and obviously he's much wiser than myself. So, I'll say it again.

In Pep We Trust.

That's a hard one! Both are amazing strikers... and Barca will do well with any one of them. So it really depends on prices and how the talks go.

Lies, lies, lies, and lies....this is absolutely embarrassing seeing Laporta and Txiki tell lies this way. Eto'o's agent had his press conference today and just as I thought he made it abundantly clear that the player wants to stay. The sad part about it all is that, to cover their own arses, Laporta and Txiki send an offer via email or text message to the agent last night just so that they can say "oh, we made him an offer". This is absolutely outrageous. Laporta lied about Manchester City's offer to eto'o, he lied about Eto'o's request for a sign on bonus, he lied about the fact that the offer from Manchester City would make him the highest paid player in the world...it's fictituous!!!
The truth is that no one wants to just come out in front and say "oh, Samuel, btw, thanks for all the goals and trophies but we need to part ways now".No one has the "nuts" to do it. And that makes them cowards. He should be enjoying his summer right now yet he has to send his agent out to deny and correct the record...shame on Laporta. I have supported him even when most people wanted to toss him out of office but this is too low. He has lost credibility in my eyes. That agent standing there and holding that email he and Txiki sent make me want to throw up. My club is bigger than little emails or text messages to players' agents in the middle of the night. My club respects its players and is made up of professionals:this is the height of unprofessionalism!!!
Eto'o can go or stay, as I said I have softened my position on the issue but to spread lies about his situation and to give him a bad name in the press is just outrageous. ALL fans should be upset at this one.
Again, can anyone ever remember a player who has done so much for any club be treated this way?

Yep...Pep doesn't like him just as I said. They are saying that for technical reasons the coach will not count on him next season. I guess crow doesn't taste good hun Pep!!! Yes, Eto'o made Pep eat crow last year. For the 3rd year in a row, we find ourselves in the same situation...Yet he is still hiding behind Txiki and Laporta. We are so quick to give credit to Pep yet noone is calling him out on the tool he would have been had he stuck with his decision to leave him out last year. What you think Villa can replace Eto'o? I am totally disgusted!!!!

All this talk about money being the issue was just a lie. Again, here's what the agent said today in front of the world:

El agente de Eto'o ha afirmado que "no necesitamos utilizar a la prensa, si no lo quieren que lo digan abiertamente y ya está" y asegura que "nunca hemos pedido ni un céntimo de euro al FC Barcelona ni por renovar ni por condicionante de nada". Mesalles afirma que es "absolutamente falso" que hayan pedido al Barça una prima de 15 millones de euros por marcharse y desvela que "todavía no nos hemos sentado con el club inglés" para negociar una posible oferta.

In other words, they fabricated this whole story and tried using the press to fight the battle.

read the whole article here;

LINK

HE disrespected the club, who the hell does mesalles think he is. my oppinion is changed, i couldnt care less if he stays anymore.

Bullshit Jordi and Laporta didn't by lying about this whole thing!!!!Bullshit!!!

They are the ones who disrespected the club. If you don't want him, then just come out and say it.That is professionalism and RESPECT. Don't create offers and stories in the press, don't paint the player as a money chasing egoist...that is disrecpectful...pure lack of respect from management. I AM GLAD THE RECORD'S BEEN SET STRAIGHT!!!Now, we all know the truth!!!

I have only one comment to make: between those two, Eto'o wins hands down. I mean, the difference is so huge!!! not only because the scoring record but the presence on the field.. villa is a good striker, but that's all what he does..kick the ball! Eto'o defends, gives assistances, passes, etc etc.. Villa kind of reminds me of Kluivert..a great striker, but not a great team player. It will be interesting to have him as he would add a different style to the game. But comparing him to Eto'o is like comparing wine and milk..both liquids both so different!
PS: i don't appreciate the way Barça board is treating Eto'o either.

It looks like we may be able to get both.

Eto'o's agent said Eto'o would stay with the club if an extension with equal pay as his current salary was offered, and its reported that we offered just that.

Then one of the sporting directors said that we'd still be looking to strengthen the striker position, so we're still going to go for Villa.

OOOO I hope Eto'o accepts the renewal and then we can rest easy, and focus on Villa. This is going to be awesome I think!

I could be wrong but my assessment of Eto'o situation is as follows :

1- Barça have no intention of keeping Eto'o . They know that the new extension as proposed will NOT be accepted by Eto'o or his agent who wants to line his own pockets with extra cash .

2- Eto'o has NO intention of remaining with the club beyond his current contract .
As his agent has said, he wants to stay " until his contract expires next year " then he will be a free agent and can actually demand a salary of 10-15 million Euros a year from one of those clubs where "money is no object " .

3- If Barça succeed in persuading Eto'o to sign the new extension they can turn around and sell him to another club .

Assuming that Barça manage to sign David Villa which is very unlikely IMO based on the club's track record of screwing up in the transfer market , there is no way they can afford to keep both players strategically or financially .

It is a cat and mouse game between two sides that they don't trust each other .

I don't know about the rest of you but every time I come across a similar bizarre situation involving Barça I keep hearing the theme music from the Pink Panther !!

As i've said here before, we need to stop reading the press!! they have interests on their own to present either Laporta, or Txiki, or Eto'o or his manager (all of them or some) as liers, cheaters or whatever they need. I will just trust facts and not take conclusions from the very unreliable press.
This is nor madrid, press doesn't act to Barça's favour, on the contrary, they are just there to confuse us!!

I would personally keep Eto'o over Villa
Eto is proven in our system.

Come discuss this same situation on
LINK

VILLA ETO'O
MESSI
INESTA XAVI

YAYA

PUYOL MARQUES PIQUE ALVES

VALDES

^_^

Villa AND messi works for me, let Henry go out on loan or transfer. Let bojan play during African cup, he has the potential to be a great striker along with both villa and eto'o

well, that press conference didnt leave the best taste in my mouth. i must say its very childish. tit for tat, he said, she said crap. laporta and the others dont look great, but at the same time i dont think the agent has been some angel in this either. he pretends like he is so innocent and hurt, but im sure made negotitaions frustrating as well.

i actually think its a bit irrelevant right now who is telling the truth or lying. the damage has probably already been done. will etoo really every feel fully appreciated and wanted again? if guardiola doesnt want him, he really needs to man up and say it and let this all go to bed, let us cash in and make new plans.

this is a really shitty story overall

This is such a shitty situation, i think what Barca need right now is a good PR agent to set the story right.

For the last couple of years we have had an Etoo saga that goes on for so long, we miss out on the transfer market.

I think the media (esp Goal.com) have made a meal out of this, but i really hope now someone would come out and straighten the story so we know whats goin on.

To be honest i would like to see Eto get a contract extenion and get a good substitute striker, i heard Keirson's name being mentioned, dont know how good he is.

We still need to fill our left back position, and find one more creative midfeilder in case Xavi or iniesta get injured.

We cant acheive what we did last year with the same team, we need to find some good back up

thats my thoughts anyways

Real Madrid have already signed Kaka and Ronaldo and Ribery and Benzema are probably on their way too .

What have we done so far ?

1- We let Chelsea beat us to Zhirkov . We were dragging our feet with Lahm last time too .
The LB is a weak position despite the improvement in Abidal's form this year .

Let's be realistic , Abidal was total CRAP last year . There was no way that he would get any worse .

2- We let Atletico Madrid beat us to the signature of Asenjo ( 6 M ) . He could have been our goalkeeper for many years to come . Instead we are stuck with Valdes .

3- We are for some crazy reason are falling all over ourselves in order to sign Mascherano from Liverpool.

Yes , the ANC is a concern but is this guy the best we can come up with especially with a price tag of 30+ M ?

Barça won the treble despite THREE glaring weak positions : GK , LB and LW .

So far nothing has changed !!

Eto'o 's agent is also starting to sound like a liar. His story doesnt add up read this article LINK

Anyway, @FCB-Holland, there's nothing wrong with Valdes, look at the numbers, they dont lie...and Pinto is good backup.

In all honesty IF we get Villa and Eto'o goes that would be the best move only sad thing is how we are letting him go after what he has done for us but I do believe he only has about 1 or at most 2 more seasons of exceptional football left in him compared to David Villa.

That leaves us only needing a LB as an urgent position. In all other areas we have sufficient cover and talent.

On K9. I hope we keep him when we sign him. From what I have seen in the Brasiliero Serie A he is a good Centre Forward and can possibly play on the wings.

If we can get him and still get Villa we will have more than enough cover up front even if Eto'o goes.

There's only one word I can think of when asked to choose between Villa and Eto'o...Difficult

Both are excellent strikers,have terrific scoring records,are reported to be tempramental and selfish at times (but then all the great forwards are).

I really don't know what criteria to apply in deciding on the 'better' striker. If past performance is to be used then Eto'o has the edge, if its hunger to win titles then Villa is far more eager to win something significant in his club career. The age difference as pointed out by Nic is barely a year so I don't think thats a key factor.

If I was put on the spot though I'd still go for Eto'o primarily because of his superb record and his work rate. At the moment though it looks like his Barca days are over.

even if we are to sell eto, we should do it honourably......i dont like d way barca treats players at times.........its not a good example to d likes of messi who will be wonderin what we'll do with him when he starts getting disposable....eto is a barca great and deserves more respect

elclassico wil b crazy next season....the thought of monsterous stars fighting to win for their respective teams

barca 4 life

@ Greenfingers ,

" Anyway, @FCB-Holland, there's nothing wrong with Valdes, look at the numbers, they dont lie...and Pinto is good backup. "

Speaking of numbers ; Barça had an advantage in time of possession with 65% + .

Valdes did NOT have to be under any consistent pressure most of the time .

Yes he did well at times but he also allowed too many easy goals especially from set-piece plays .

Ok, so we have a goalkeeper who is good at stopping one on ones BUT he sucks at dealing with free kicks , corners , crosses and God forbid penalties .

A club like Barça deserve a world class goalkeeper !!

@Layi

Agree 400%!!! That's all I am asking for "honor" and "respect"!!!

Madrid is flying high and one could easily think that they were the ones who smatched all the records last year, instead of us. We will still probably beat them again next year but I like knowing that my guys are all having fun and that the fans are also enjoying it. management failed miserably last week and I hope that next week is better for us.

Kaka, CR9, Albiol, now Benzema and possibly Xavi alonso on the way.Negredo and Ezequiel Garay rejoin the squad Wow, sounds like a good squad taking shape.an infusion of 7 top class players can make a difference.

I took the time to buy 2 tickets online today to go see them play Milan in Madrid on August 25th (Think). I am taking my father in-law (He is a Madrid fan and had a rough season)...I am sure he will enjoy it. I just can't wait until the season starts to see what they are made off. I do not think that they would want to disappoint their crowd after all the noise they are making.So, I am looking forward to a great game and I will let you know what I thought after that.As off now, I am sure Messi and Iniesta (along with the rest of squad will try to prove a point AGAIN and I can't wait).

Typo+++smashed

know your "ennemy" right?

as madrid are busy turning the whole market upside down, i would just like for us to go about our business quietly and wisely not controversially like this as if we are now desperate and in awe of them

by next week end, we should know at least a thing or two...

btw, shouldn't la liga renegotiate a new tv deal with the influx of megastars....

Yeah, I was just talking to someone about that. It seems as thoguh espn will have the premier league in normal broadcast next season in the us. I would love to see something like that for la liga.

GUYS!! WHOA!!

Try to remember this. Madrid won 12 of 13 games after Christmas, and STILL couldn't catch us. They cant really do much better then that ?

Remember this: Barca dont have to play Madrid every week. They play them twice. The league will not be decided by playing Madrid every week. It will be decided in games against Athletico, Valencia, Bilbao, Espanyol, etc... Barca has a better team then everyone in the league at the minute including Madrid. If Barca performs against them, the title will be retained. All Barca need to do is repeat last season of beating the middle tier teams 95% at home and 60% away and the league will be ours again. It is really that simple.

RMadrid are doing this mega spending spree for ONE reason only. The Champions League. Last season hurt them, and hurt them bad. Also next year the final is in their OWN stadium, the Bernabeu To see Barca there and not them would be the ultimate humiliation to them and their status.

I mean look at it this way. Kaka-Benzema-Ronaldo vs Henry-Eto-Messi. Henry scored more for Barca as what some people view as the "worst" (lol) player in our front three and Kaka was Milan's best player!! Eto scored more in a tougher league despite Benzema being the focal point for everything Lyon did. And Messi showed up Ronaldo everywhere last season, most notably in the Champions League final.

Okay, maybe some naive Barca fans will think differently, but football is a team game of 11 players. Say they buy Ribery and Villa next. Where do they play them ? If they overload the pitch everyone else's effectiveness goes down and teams like Athletico and Barca will kill them on the counter-attack.

Please, please, please fellow Cules, dont get too silly over RM's spending. My gut feeling is that it will NOT work. Look at Perez' last reign, a couple of title's and 1 CLeague. Barca have doubled that in 4 years with half the spending and now have the best team in the world who is mostly young.

@Titti86

You make some very valid points. We shall see I guess. I hope you're right!!!!

titi:
dont knw about the fans scared of madrid but its impossible for me to be scared of anyteam in the world( i was laughing when goal.com said we'll lose to spain though on penalties with iniesta, xavi, pique, puyol ad busquets on our side)

me and diatus just even commented on our next season is setting up to be....just cant wait....but 1st we have to put how house in total order, all these eto wahala dosen't help

Messi > Rnaldo .
Iniesta > Kaka .
Eto'o/ Villa > Benzema/ Huntelaar/ Higuin .
Xavi > Gago/ Sneijder .
Yaya > Diarra .
Alves > Ramos .

Barça > Real Madrid .

Enough said ?

look, i think people are being stupid if they are underrating any of the madrid buys. kaka and CR are great players, dont kid yourself. stop this messi is better etc etc junk. benzema is def not a guaranteed success, so on him, im not too worried just yet. madrid have an amazing squad, lets not be ignorant and pretend they dont. madrid's issue is going to be balancing the team on the pitch and the dressing room off the pitch. if kaka and CR start beefing, or raul takes a dislike to someone, things could go pearshaped quick

but great contrubtion titi. ive wanted to do something similar, but sometimes i find it exhausting and frustrating how people just dont understand what you said or what i was gonna say. the dont get the culture and history, nor do they really even understand football. they want to play CM or proevo and pack the team with stars. on another blog, wow, the most ridiculous "fans" ever. calling for us to go out and sign everyone. saying that we are being stupid and lazy and letting madrid sign everyone. honestly, even getting villa i think will be a mistake if etoo stays.

so really, ppl, take head of comment 34. that madrid shit is not the barca way. and frankly i hope it fails big time. not even because im a cule, i just want it for footballs sake. to show that spending ludicrous amounts of money isnt the business plan to follow. the fire under perez's ass if they go trophyless next year would be incredibe. lol. i would just love it.

let me maybe diffuse something before it starts. i wasnt really directing my comments at anyone. but i do find it annoying how people just get all high and mighty and disregard reality. madrid have made some incredible buys, lets not pretend they havent. i personally dont like the style they did it in, nor am i sure it will work immediately. but putting CR and kaka in the same team is pretty serious stuff. thats a fact

Yes you guys are right.

In no way am I saying that Marid is a weak team, their squad will probably rival Barca's come the end of summer.

However, lets assume Madrid like any team in the world play 4 defenders. That leaves 5 players for attack. Ronaldo/Kaka/Benzema are there. Raul is seemingly undroppable. On top of that they want Ribery and Villa. They need a defensive minded midfeilder in there ie Diarra or Gago. Not to mention the other attackers like Snieder that refuse to leave and also Robben who I think is a class player.

There is no way this project will work without at least some friction in the dressing room. That will be their undoing. EVERY team in the world is focussed around 1 or 2 people. Barca have 3 stunning strikers and 3 talented midfeilders, but the whole team is centered around just Messi and Xavi if we are all honest. Liverpool, Gerrard; United, Ronaldo; Inter, Zlatan; etc. This Madrid team cant focus their game on all the world class players they have.

Also take the examble of Dimitar Berbatov transfer to Manchester United for £30million. Before, he was scoring 25 goals a season, but because he went to a club with other world class players and he wasnt the focal point of the team, he only scored 10 goals, LESS THEN HALF his productivity.

In football you dont take three strikers who score 30 goals each and then get 90 goals a season from them. This is football. My advice is this, let Madrid do their thing. Barca's team needs nothing but a couple more quality cover players for LB and RB and of course a striker who could cover for Eto and be Henry's long term replacement.

All in all, I think it is all working in Barca's favour and Barca's golden generation is only beginning... lets just be glad we are priviliged to witness it at Madrid's expense

crazy new blog

LINK

going just a little off topic...
i'm just wondering why this forum hasn't mentioned anything about the potential or imminent arrival of keirrison seeing as he would probably be our first major signing this off season.

i still love this blog and i frequent it very often. kudos nic!
(:

hopefully eto'o stays but as the article says that that eto'o can be the highest payed player in the world

ETOO
I want to except Aterva
The struggle MaasmkNITHAL

I am NOT trying to respond to any specific remark here but it is always nice to read a wide range of opinions expressed by different people .

The idea of a debate is about open-mindedness and respect to opposing views .

Those who resort to name calling and unnecessary insults should consider writing their own closed-ended blog .

Here are some suggestions about a possible title :

1- My Way Or The Highway Blog .
2- If I want Your Opinion I'll Give It To You Blog .

To all the subscribers;

WHY DOES BARCA NO LONGER WANT ETO'O. CAN SOMEONE REALLY CONVINCE ME THAT ETO'O IS NO LONGER BARCA MATERIAL OR BARCA #9 WORTHY? I BELIEVE THAT ANY CLUB WOULD HAVE LOVED TO BE IN BARCA's POSITION. SO WHY GET RID OF YOUR STAR STRIKER? WHY? THIS IS JUST INSANE INGRATITUDE FROM THE BARCA COMMITTEE. I WANT TO HEAR FROM PEP DIRECTLY THAT ETO'O SHOULD GO. IF THIS TEAM HAS THE COURAGE TO FACE THE MEDIA, RATHER THAN SEND WITTY TEXT MESSAGES AND E-MAIL, THEY SHOULD JUST COME OUT OF THE CLOSET, HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE WITH TXIX, LAPORTA AND PEP AND JUST SAY, WE LONGER WANT TIES WITH THE CAMEROONIAN. SIMPLE ,WE FORGET AND MOVE ON.

I HAVE THE FEELING THAT THE DEAL IS STALLING BECAUSE ETO'O HAS OTHER TITLES IN MIND TO GRASP LIKE THE UEFA SUPER CUP, SPANISH SUPER CUP, FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP,ETC. THESE ARE IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENTS. WHICH ETO'O WORKED VERY HARD FOR INFRONT OF THE FANS AND COACHING STAFF. TO LET THIS GO AWAY WILL NO BE EASY. PLUS, TELL ME WHAT KIND OF DUMB FOOTBALLER WOULD WORK HARD FOR AN 09/10 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PARTICIPATION VIA TWO PATHS, THE LEAGUE AND CL FINAL AND GIVE IT ALL AWAY.

I DON'I SEE THE new K9 GUY PUTTING ETO'O ON THE BENCH. LET'S BE HONEST. IF VILLA COMES, HE MAY BE PRIORITY UP FRONT, BUT NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO BENCH ETO'O. A DAVID VILLA PRESENCE WILL ONLY REDUCE HENRY'S PLAY TIME. ETO'O IS A BETTER COMMUNICATOR WITH MESSI, XAVI AND INIESTA THAN HENRY. DOES ANYBONE DARE OBJECT THIS FACT?
I INSIST AGAIN, 5 REASONS WHY ETO'O NO LONGER MERITS TO BE BARCA'S #9 PLAYER.

keirrison is not being brought in to bench eto'o or anyone. he needs european experience so he's either going on loan or coming off the bench.
in answer to ur rant...i'm pretty sure that there's no one that can give u a definitive answer...it's all a bunch of he said she said being futher diluted by the media..BUT for whatever reason the board doesn't forsee eto'o in their future plans.
no one is doubting or even questioning eto'o's skills as one of the top strikers in the world but i guess he's just not the right cup of tea that the board wants to drink.
call it dumb, ignorant, crazy, whatever...but seeing how it is now...there's no way we can count on eto'o next season...in my opinion.
whatever happens...i have faith that everything will work out alright in the end.
(:

@FCB Holland & BlaugranaBoy

Give peace a chance guys!!!

Ok, Being a regular on this blog, I have agreed and disagreed with evryone at some point in time...even my man Layi (the guy who never throws rocks at the glass house).I like reading both of you but I learn a lot more from either of you when you are simply discussing the facts. Now, I have to admit BlaugranaBoy is "trying" to stay above it all but you two are still hang up on the old stuff. Let me play devil's advocate a little bit by saying that we will all start learning a little more the day you two decide to openly discuss the issues again, with passion but without anger, with pertinence but without pestilence (I think the spelling is correct). Look FCB Holland, I have to admit, I have gotten "mad" before at BlaugranaBoy and at You but you have to be able to let it go and move on.My humble request, to the both of you, is to move on and start chatting again, start arguing again.Both of you are nice 'little" futbol libraries and your "RIDICULOUS" little fight that doesn't seem to want to end is starting to drive me nuts because everytime I read either one of you, I feel like I am being "jipped" or short-changed. I am sure that the entire forum would get a little more out of this exercise if you both brought yourself to typing the other' name on your posts.
OUR little blog means something!!! Because, as I sat in the BERNABEU watching Barcelona drub Madrid last MAY, I couldn't help but wish that both of you, among others, were there to witness that in person because we are all fans of the same team and it matters that our "little" squabbles remain impersonal and temporary. So, this is my plea to YOU: GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!!!

I am sure both of you a great guys, so com' on, let's talk Barca to each other OPENLY!!!

PS to FC HOLLAND: "THE EVIL THAN MEN DO" and "BLAUGRANABOY" are 2 different people...(lol...lol...lol)

@ Diatus ,

I have always respected your opinions even if I did not agree with you all the time but we tend to agree most of the time .

However expressing an opinion is one thing and being dismissive or disrespectful to others is an entirely different matter .

I have no problems with somebody disagreeing with me BUT in a respectful manner .

I would rather leave it at that for now !!

@fcbHOLLAND

I respect your stand on this and I agree that BlaugranaBoy can come across as dismissive but I don't think that he has ever been disrespectful, not that I can recall anyway. I have to admit that I kinda felt that way at first, but as I took a step back and actually took the time to read all of his posts with greater attention, I realized that he is just following his points to the end. Then I started noticing a certain degree of intellectual honesty I failed to see at first. Look, the guy can be crude in his approach to arguing a point but he is very pertinent and that is to be respected. My point is that, we can disagree without being disagreeable.

In addition, at a certain point, it becomes childish and both of you are bigger than that. I am only trying to really see good debate!!!

I only get the best of you when the debate is direct and respectful. So, I will not give up since we come here to learn one or 2 things about the beautiful game!!! Com'on...

@ Diatus ,

I don't pretend to be a life-long Barça fan . Hell I have never been to Barçelona or Spain in that matter and I can only BS my way in basic Spanish .

I guess what brings us together here is our love for football , Barça football .


I will continue to post and express my opinions as usual .

I have enjoyed reading a lot of intelligent discussions and opinion on this blog .

@FCB Holland,

Ok, I take that as a big step forward and I find your opinions fundamentally honest and your research exquisite. That is what I appreciate about reading your posts. That having been said, I do not think that speaking spenish or having been to Spain or Catalunya automatically confers special wisdom to anyone. I know people in remote villages of Africa, who have never seen Europe's big cities, but who have been supporting Barcelona for 40 years and know the club's history better than anybody.

Those who claim exclusivity on the club and its workings are shortsighted and clearly unwise. I tend to dismiss that line of reasoning off hand and without follow up because that is what it deserves.

On the other hand, I do not think that our mate BlaugranaBoy falls in the group. again, I appreciate your response and willingness to talk it out respectfully and I look forward to taking part in vigorous debate with you and Blaugranaboy.

My hope is that BlaugranaBoy decides to join us in our quest for inclusive and respectful debate.

@ Diatus ,

Fine with me !!

hey, have you heard Michael Owen joined Man U...It is almost comical!!!

I could not believe it either . I thought the guy was finished . Too many injuries !!

But you know what though, wish Benitez had played him a little more last year. He still has some mileage left in him and to tell you the truth, I would pick up over Torres anyday. He is such an opportunist!!! Hey, if Man U signed him then Sir Alex must have seen something in him. I think that they will actually be very competitive next year, contrary to what many believe.

I don't keep up with the EPL that much but the departures of Ronaldo and Tevez from Manchester United and the " possibility " that Liverpool could lose some key players do you think that Chelsea would be considered clear favorites to win the title ?

I have to agree with you about Torres . I'm sorry but I just don't see what people see in him . He is a tall player with very average technique . I think both Villa and Eto'o are far superior . He averaged 15-16 goals a season in La Liga then he goes to the EPL and scores 32 goals . Was it all about Torres or the EPL's defenses ?

@Holland

I think tha Chelsae will be on a mission. after having had a great first half last year and then having had to put up with the internal tactical feuds between Drogba, Scolari and Anelka, then having tasted a measured degree of success with "the Guss", having managed to so far stay fairly stable with transfers, it seems they have "clear ideas" as to what they want to accomplish. So, I will definitely put them in the top 3 along with Arsenal. I might be wrong but I do not see Liverpool up there in the top 3 (especially if Mascherano, Alonso and Arbeola leave). So you will probably see the likes of Aston Villa make a serious push for a top 4 finish. I would actually include Man U in the top 3 along with Chelsea and Arsenal because of the simple fact that they have experience and talent. They have vibrant youth pool to pick from snd the one I think might play a bigger role is Macheda, who is trying to prove to Inter's Balloteli that he is the better young italian player...I have to admit that Macheda wins on attitude. I love la liga but being a sucker for football, I follow most everything...

Top 3

Chelsea, Arsenal, Man. U. (just because they'll try to prove that they can do it without Ronaldo).

Arsenal needs to win something or at least be competitive, Arsene Wenger won't survive another trophyless season and Chelsea just seems very dangerous when resolved...remember it took us 180+ minutes to score a goal against them...so it is a damn good team!!!

Another thing is that this is a World Cup year so look for many youngsters to try to break into their national squads. I also think that this fact will be more appareent with the Italian players since it seems Lippi might discard that whole national team, except for Rossi and maybe 3 or 4 more. There fantastic young defenders at Usinese who will do a better job than Cannavaro. They need a little more attitude in Baloteli. So, this next season shall be fantastic for football fans all over the world. Look many players are actually giving up lucrative contracts to go back to their home countries just so that they have more playing time and bust into their national teams. Some coaches are leaving doors open for the return of previously discarded players (ie Maradona and Riquelme) and shame on Maradona for not calling Higuain because of a feud between he and Fernando Gago, that third class midfielder. Yeah, Argentina is my team ( I am out of the closet now ).

I'm 100% with Titi on letting Madrid do their thing. I don't care who they add to their Fantasy Football team. I just hope the coming season proves that the only place where Fantasy Football works is gaming consoles.

What does concern me is the Eto'o/Villa situation and how it seems far from being resolved after a considerable period of time even though Madrid,Chelsea and perhaps even Man City are no longer in the picture.

lol @ Diatus

People fall out on blogs just as they do real life.

As long as they both keep giving opinions I dont care if they are best buddies or not!!

Regarding the Eto saga, Ive decided on my personal stance: This is a farce. Selling Eto would be pointless. He is physically immense. Fast, a hard worker. Villa is a top quality player but like Henry works well in a 4-4-2 like in the Spanish team. However, we are changing the team for what? Eto is .6/.7 goal a game player and works well most of the time.

The front 3 are extremely balanced at the minute. Eto is the battering ram, drawing the CB's in, Messi and Henry are the creative talents who see the bigger picture. All 3 have pace to burn and are interchangable. Messi can play FC as can Henry, Eto can play RWF sometimes and FC. There is absolutely no need, 100% to change it.

Also, just give the guy a better contract, he deserves it, and frankly it should be sorted sooner rather then later. There is no point waiting for Madrid to sign Ribery and Villa before selling Eto as then there is no world class replacement for Eto.

Whatever happens, it NEEDS to be sorted, and SOON.

@tITTI

LOL...JUST TRYING TO GET THESE TWO TO TALK AGAIN. THE DEBATE IS ALWAYS MORE INTERESTING WITH THE BOTH OF THEM TALKING WITHOUT RESERVATIONS. IT'S MORE FUN!!! THAT'S ALL!!

Oh Diatus, i'm sorry.. this is not the best time to be an argentina supporter.. RIQUELME??? what the hell? are they trying to leave Messi without a world cup??. When they visited here (Chile), it was almost painful to watch. That midfield was one of the worst i have ever seen in argentina's NT.
An i'm not saying Chile's NT are great either. I mean, they're quite consistent and professional now.. if bielsa can do what he's been doing with very limited players, i really can't imagine what he would do with a team like Barçafor example. It explains why Pep went to Argentina once to talk to him.

Buy Villa, keep Eto'o buy a left back, get javi martinez, then we will be ready for season ahead.

@Mariaines

I know, I know...but hey this is loyalty...I have been a fan of Argentina ever since I can remember and I must stick to it...The important thing is to go the Mundial.

@Godders

I am a fan of Eto'o but I think that at this point, it is quite impossible for him to stay at the club.It makes me sad but hey so is life...."you don't always get what you want"!!!!

Eto'o is supposed to have a press conference next Wednesday in Paris .

I expect some fireworks .
Eto'o will probably announce that he will leave Barça and take some parting shots at Laporta and Guardiola .

Eto'o can be an angry man and I just don't expect him to make a graceful exit .

This could get very ugly . Stay tuned !!

Okay Real have brought a few gems, so it's time for Barca to buy the four or five players they need so we don't get left behind.

Laporta the don says we need these positions covered.

Centre Back:- Why if have Milito? Also coming back from a year's loan from Lever Hernades.
Left Back:- Felipe from Depor not too sure on that one! If we do get him I will give him a chance.
Centre Midfield:- Cesc now your talking!
Forward:- Forlan quick two footed good, or Villa just as dangerous! Keep Eto'o which would be great. Kerrisson could be a gem?

In Guardy we trust!