Tag: Barcelona

Pedri now has more world-class company in the Barcelona midfield
28Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Pedri now has more world-class company in the Barcelona midfield

Pedri had another phenomenal performance for Barcelona in a 4-1 blowout win over third-placed La Liga side Villarreal, but he wasn't the only top midfielder in that win, as Fermin Lopez delivered two assists in another monster class in the middle of the park. At this point, anyone who disputes that Pedri is one of the best players in the world and a beating heart for Barca of nearly equal importance to Lamine Yamal just does not understand ball or is a supremely salty Real Madrid fan. But I am willing to go as far to say that if you don't think Fermin Lopez is already a world-class midfielder, then you are behind the curve and too slow to recognize the incredible work the Spaniard is doing this season. To be honest, Fermin has always been great, hence why multiple Premier League c...
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Barcelona have another obvious Marcus Rashford decision to make
28Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Barcelona have another obvious Marcus Rashford decision to make

As Barcelona close in on the permanent transfer of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United for 30 million euros with just a few loose ends left to tie up, the Blaugrana may need to consider an even bolder but just as obvious decision: the decision to start the England international. No, not on the left wing. Raphinha is a must start in any universe for Barcelona and right there with Pedri and Lamine Yamal as one of the biggest superstars on this team. At striker. Rashford needs to start at striker. Although he is a better left winger than a striker in terms of his playing style and skill set, Rashford at striker, despite being suboptimal, is still a much better solution than Ferran Torres at the No. 9. Once again, Barcelona eviscerated an opponent in La Liga, defeating Villarreal 4...
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2026 Ballon d’Or Power Rankings after Lamine Yamal’s hat trick
28Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

2026 Ballon d’Or Power Rankings after Lamine Yamal’s hat trick

Lamine Yamal had a performance for the ages on Saturday afternoon, as Barcelona shredded Villarreal 4-1 behind the first hat trick of the 18 year old right winger's career, dominating the third best team in Spanish football in the process. Here are the latest updated 2026 Ballon d'Or Power Rankings after Yamal's fleet footed, clinical goal fest against the Yellow Submarine. 5. Real Madrid CF Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is currently out with a left knee injury that has been slowing him down for several weeks, and after aggravating the injury further, Real have shut the Frenchman down. But he is still having an incredible season as the star man for Madrid, scoring 23 goals with 2.7 dribbles completed and 2.3 key passes per game, ranking him second behind only Ya...
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Barcelona reach full agreement for their most obvious blockbuster transfer (with one catch)
27Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Barcelona reach full agreement for their most obvious blockbuster transfer (with one catch)

Barcelona have been in long-standing negotiations with Manchester United for the potential permanent signing of Marcus Rashford on a 30 million euro clause, and it sounds like La Blaugrana have made their decision to keep him for more than just this season. Rashford never quite found the consistency or support he needed at Man United, constantly torn apart by the media and hoopla at Old Trafford. At Barcelona as a backup to Raphinha, Rashford has thrived, showing real finishing chops and technical quality in an inverted role for Hansi Flick's high-octane attack. According to a new report from Radio Catalunya program Tot Costa, Barcelona have reached a full agreement with Man United to sign Rashford permanently, and they have even already agreed on personal conditions with the England...
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Barcelona get brutal injury news on world-class midfielder
26Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Injury News

Barcelona get brutal injury news on world-class midfielder

Barcelona star center midfielder Frenkie de Jong has gone down injured yet again, and the club officially announced that he will miss five to six weeks with a distal biceps femoris injury in his right hamstring after sustaining an injury on the Feb. 26 morning training session. De Jong is part of a deep and talented Barcelona midfield, but he is still a crucial player to the Blaugrana, especially in terms of keeping the ball and maintaining control in the biggest of games. The Dutchman has started 16 matches this season for Barca, averaging 2.1 tackles per game compared to a meager 0.5 dribbles completed allowed. He is also averaging 1.6 key passes and 1.3 fouls drawn per game with a pass completion percentage close to 95 percent. De Jong does it all for Barcelona, and they are go...
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Barcelona absorb another Alessandro Bastoni transfer blow
25Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Barcelona absorb another Alessandro Bastoni transfer blow

Inter Milan star center back Alessandro Bastoni is every elite club's dream transfer option in defense this summer, but Barcelona, in need of a player of his caliber at the back, are realizing how difficult it is to sign the sweet left-footed Italian international. According to a report from Diario Sport, via barcacentre, Bastoni is making it his priority to re-sign a new contract with Inter and is thus moving away from the idea of a big ticket transfer to Barcelona in summer 2026. Although Barcelona are continuing to put out feelers for Bastoni and see him as a more finesse, world-class option at center back than what they currently have, it is becoming increasingly clear that neither Barca nor any other top club like Liverpool in England are going to make inroads here. Bastoni f...
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Barcelona are looking to Manchester City for their main Julian Alvarez alternative
24Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Barcelona are looking to Manchester City for their main Julian Alvarez alternative

Aside from Joan Laporta's usual suspects Erling Haaland and Rafael Leao, Julian Alvarez has become one of the chief superstars linked to Barcelona as a possible summer 2026 attacking signing, but if his poach from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid becomes too difficult, current Manchester City star forward Omar Marmoush is the main alternative, according to a report from Diario Sport. Alvarez has been a sensation in European football since moving from River Plate to Manchester City back in the summer 2022 transfer window. His clinical finishing and positional versatility made him an immediate hit, but the young striker wanted to leave Man City pretty quickly after achieving treble success, wanting to step out of the shadow of elite No. 9 Haaland. Well, be careful what you wish for. It i...
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Alejandro Balde on the verge of losing his starting spot at Barcelona
24Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
News

Alejandro Balde on the verge of losing his starting spot at Barcelona

Although Alejandro Balde has been one of the best young left backs in world football, the Barcelona man's performances have slipped in recent seasons, and with Joao Cancelo back in Blaugrana colors, a change could be coming for Hansi Flick. As Gabriel Sans of Mundo Deportivo notes, Flick has now left Balde out of the starting lineup in back-to-back games. Meanwhile, Cancelo was the best player on the pitch in Barca's most recent La Liga encounter, a 3-0 win over Levante. In that game, Cancelo assisted once and registered three key passes with three combined tackles and interceptions and three combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn in a great all-around performance. Cancelo was previously at Barcelona and just joined them again in the winter transfer window, signing on loan fo...
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Ranking the 10 best young La Liga players in 2026
22Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

Ranking the 10 best young La Liga players in 2026

Unfortunately, La Liga is falling behind the other top five European leagues in terms of spending, so talent development on a grassroots level has become more important for Spanish clubs than ever before. Sadly, by the same token, La Liga are falling behind in developing talent, particularly the academies at the smallest clubs in Spain. They are seeing their talents poached and having more difficulty initially bringing bright young talents aboard with the scouting networks of Real Madrid and Barcelona, in particular, only growing stronger. It is no surprise, of course, that Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate the list of the best young players in La Liga today, and, in truth, these two powerhouse clubs have the best collection of young talent in the world out of any clubs around - and...
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2025/26 Champions League Power Rankings after first leg of playoffs
20Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

2025/26 Champions League Power Rankings after first leg of playoffs

The first leg of the playoffs before the Champions League Round of 16 have been completed, and already, clubs like Juventus and Qarabag look to be out of it entirely after suffering blowout losses. Meanwhile, other notable clubs like Atalanta and Inter Milan are very much on the ropes, while Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid remain in tight contests after the first leg. Clubs on bye weeks are sitting pretty right now, but even contenders like Liverpool and PSG will be on high alert amidst disappointing seasons in their respective league campaigns. Following another week of thrilling Champions League action, let's take a look at the latest power rankings, picking the top 10 teams in the competition thus far with the best chance of winning it all. 10. Borussia Dor...
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