Barcelona News and Analysis

The three strikers Barcelona have on their transfer wishlist

22Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The three strikers Barcelona have on their transfer wishlist

Barcelona have one of the best strikers in the world in Robert Lewandowski, but because he is 36 years old and one of the club's top wage earners at over 30 million euros per season, the Blaugrana have quietly been trying to find ways to replace him. Lewandowski is, at least, still an asset to Hansi Flick's elite attack, scoring four goals with two assists in the 2024/25 LaLiga season thus far. Although he was a record-breaking goal-scorer for Bayern Munich, Lewandowski is legitimately one of the best all-around No. 9's in the world. According to a report from Diario Sport, Barcelona have three talented strikers on their transfer wishlist going into the 2025 markets. Unsurprisingly, Joan Laporta's dream counterweight to Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, Manchester City superstar Erling Ha...

Chelsea inquire about signing €60M Barcelona star

19Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga, Premier League

Chelsea inquire about signing €60M Barcelona star

Chelsea have shown signs of improvement under Enzo Maresca through four Premier League fixtures in the 2024/25 season, making a huge statement with a six-goal showing against Wolves a couple of weeks ago. Although Chelsea are getting better, results like the draw against Crystal Palace show that there is still more work to be done at Stamford Bridge before the Blues can confidently secure Champions League football again. Much of the discussion around Chelsea focuses on the attack, which was strengthened with the addition of Jadon Sancho at the deadline, but the defense also needs to step up and perform to the level that its young starters are capable of. Chelsea are considering adding one more center back to the mix to compete with Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill, as Fofana, in par...

Hansi Flick is keeping his plan for Ansu Fati’s best position a secret

18Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Hansi Flick is keeping his plan for Ansu Fati’s best position a secret

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick appears to be quite high on Ansu Fati, who was the most talented young player in the world just a few years ago before a devastating injury sapped his acceleration and speed. Fati is still a useful player, but he hasn't been able to reach those same levels post-injury and recently failed to make an impression at Brighton despite also earning praise from another great manager, Roberto De Zerbi. Back fit and medically cleared for Barca's Champions League opener on Thursday night against Monaco, Fati is now the biggest headline because of the intrigue around his role. Speaking to reporters before the game, Flick was tight-lipped on his exact plan or even position for Fati, but based on his cryptic answer, he seems to be expecting big things for the 21-ye...

Barcelona scouting two Monaco standouts for a future transfer

18Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Champions League, Features, LaLiga

Barcelona scouting two Monaco standouts for a future transfer

Barcelona will face Monaco on Thursday night in their opening clash of the 2024/25 Champions League season, and under treble-winning coach Hansi Flick, the Blaugrana will like their chances of going further in this year's competition. They have already seen a huge boost in results to start the season under Flick, who has turned the Barcelona attack into a vaunted machine, integrating young prospects and more experienced starters alike. Monaco have not lost any of their four Ligue 1 matchups so far this season and are thus a good first test for Barcelona in the Champions League. They also happen to have a couple of players Barcelona could be interested in purchasing. According to a report from Diario Sport, Barcelona sporting director Deco will be watching right back Vanderson and ...

Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes surpasses Barcelona legend Ronaldinho in Champions League assists

17Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Champions League, Features, LaLiga

Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes surpasses Barcelona legend Ronaldinho in Champions League assists

Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo Goes has become something of a forgotten man to the average mainstream fan, if they even gave the forward his proper due in the first place. The 2021/22 Champions League hero was left off the "BMV" nickname by the Spanish press, who made him a footnote to Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior. Meanwhile, the 23-year-old was snubbed from the 30-man list of 2023/24 Ballon d'Or finalists, leading even Barcelona legend Rivaldo to call out the disgrace of this snub, which left many current and former stars baffled. Well, Rodrygo is letting his play on the pitch do the talking, as he's started the 2024/25 LaLiga season off as a man on a mission, and the same holds true for his start to the Champions League campaign. He recorded the opening ...

Injury News: Frenkie de Jong set to return to Barcelona lineup soon

17Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Injury News: Frenkie de Jong set to return to Barcelona lineup soon

Barcelona star center midfielder Frenkie de Jong was one of the best midfielders in the world during the 2022/23 season when Barca won LaLiga, but he was far from his best last season. This was in part due to Sergio Busquets' departure to MLS, but it was also in part due to de Jong's injury woes. He suffered nagging ankle injuries throughout the season, and, now, he has yet to play in the 2024/25 campaign under Hansi Flick due to a serious ankle injury he picked up last season. The good news is that de Jong is set to make his return to the Barcelona lineup soon. Diario AS reports that Barcelona believe he can return to action next week against Getafe in LaLiga on Sept. 25. That leaves Frenkie de Jong out of the Champions League opener against Monaco and a tough weekend encounter i...

Ansu Fati continues to impress Hansi Flick

16Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Ansu Fati continues to impress Hansi Flick

As Barcelona prepare to face Monaco on Thursday in the Champions League, the Blaugrana are taking stock of their current performances in LaLiga and have to love what they are seeing. Although Xavi did indeed do a strong job of setting the foundation for Barcelona, Hansi Flick has, as anticipated, taken the club to new heights from a tactical perspective and has done a significantly better job of working with the attacking players, especially young standouts. This past summer, there was concern that Ansu Fati could leave the club permanently after failing to get on the pitch long enough at Brighton, failing to answer the concerns that led to him temporarily leaving Barcelona in the first place. But instead of giving up on Fati, Flick is backing the 21-year-old, who was once, like L...

13Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Barcelona legend Rivaldo gets behind Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes after Ballon d’Or snub

Real Madrid right winger Rodrygo Goes had an excellent 2023/24 season for the Merengue club, winning the second Champions League title of his career as an every-game starter at the forward position opposite of Ballon d'Or favorite Vinicius Junior. Yet despite winning two major trophies with 15 goals between the Champions League and LaLiga, Rodrygo wasn't one of the 30 players nominated for the 2023/24 Ballon d'Or, snubbed in favor of clearly inferior players like Granit Xhaka and Vitinha. Rivaldo, who won the Ballon d'Or as the main superstar for Barcelona in 1999, came to the defense of his Brazilian compatriot, calling the fact that the 23-year-old forward was left off the shortlist an "injustice". The two-time LaLiga winner and former Champions League winner (at AC Milan) said,...

Real Madrid have by far the biggest salary limit in LaLiga despite Barcelona doubling theirs

12Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Real Madrid have by far the biggest salary limit in LaLiga despite Barcelona doubling theirs

Real Madrid won LaLiga handily last season and were Champions League winners under Carlo Ancelotti for a second time in three seasons, benefiting greatly from the summer acquisitions of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, alongside Brahim Diaz's return from loan. This past summer, Real Madrid got even stronger, too, welcoming Kylian Mbappe as a free transfer and Palmeiras prospect Endrick to further load up their vaunted attack. Now, LaLiga have released the new official salary limits, and Real Madrid are, once again, at the top of the list of spending power, based on their success and revenue generated. That is no surprise, but what may be surprising to some fans is just how much more spending power Real Madrid have above the other LaLiga clubs. The rich are about to get richer. R...

Barcelona have the two most experienced teenagers in world football

11Sep

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Barcelona have the two most experienced teenagers in world football

La Masia is back on top, as Barcelona are easily producing the finest prospects in world football, assembling a star-studded lineup where the majority of the key players are homegrown talents. Gavi and Pedri have been anchoring the midfield for the past couple of seasons, Alejandro Balde was a massive breakout star at left back in 2022/23 when Barcelona last won LaLiga, and both Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi emerged as legitimately two of the best players in LaLiga in their respective positions. Yamal, in particular, was a revelation, dominating the competition at Euro 2024 as a key player for champions Spain. Both Yamal and Cubarsi are just 17 years old, so, in theory, Barcelona have two world-class players on their hands for the next 15 years. Cubarsi and Yamal are so good, in fa...