Transfer News: Jeffren and Jonathan dos Santos

It's been a slow transfer season FCB but here recent headlines:

Jeffren and Jon dos Sanots are set to leave FCB for greener pastures with bids tabled by Bolton Wanders (Euro 6 million for Jeffren) and Real Zaragoza (Euro 1 million for Jon), respectively.  This time however, FCB's lawyers have taken a page from Madrid's and inserted buy back clauses that allows FCB the opportunity the right to repurchase the youngsters services for a reasonable amount.

I personally would have preferred pushing them up the ladder and have them play with some of the senior players in the Copa del Rey to sharpen their skills within the organization.  But the buy back clause is goof enough for me.  Too bad, we didn't do the same with Nolito or Soriano (the Segunda Pichichi)...

On a separate matter, International Spanish Left-Back (ahm, ahm) Capdevilla is set to leave Villarreal on a free transfer.  With the problems we're having in Defense, I would think that this would be an excellent FREE opportunity?

Sometimes I wonder at the goings-on @ FCB...

Anyway, now that Argentina is out, at least our three Argentinian Ms (Messi, Mascherano, and Milito) are not injured, yet!  I was impressed by Caceres composure in heading the ball for the 1st goal assist and his penalty kick that eliminated Argentina

For more info click this page --> Bolton have bid for Jeffren accepted by Barcelona | tribalfootball.com
See also --> Real Zaragoza offer accepted for Jonathan dos Santos
For more info --> Capdevilla to leave for free

4 more Clasicos, any one?

Hidy-ho,

Well...

Let's start with the expected Saturday line-up:
F:   Messi, Villa, Pedro (a.k.a., MVP, as fellow www.BarcelonaFootballBlog.com colleagues would say)
M:  Xavi, Iniesta, Keita
D:  Adriano, Pique, Busquets, Alves

Madrid should field a "familiar" team to hide a potentially different CL line-up:
F:    Benzema
W:  De Maria, Cristiano
M:  Xabi, Ozil, Khidera
D:   Marcelo, Carvalho, Pepe, Ramos

Reserves: Kaka for Ozil or Xabi, and Higuain or Adebayor for Benzema, and Diarra for Khidera.

Both coaches have declared their intentions to send in their best players and the Big Mouth has all his strikers on the ready (the Frenchman, the Togolese, the Portuguese, & the Argentinian).  I expect a tough game, in which the Big Mouth's battle tactic is to weaken FCB as part of his overall CL/Copa del Rey War Strategy.  Imagine, FCB without an injured Messi or a Xavi, or Pique for the next 3 weeks.  It will be easy for Ramos and Pepe to squash the smaller FCB player.  Moron-hu plays defensive football and will give the nod to his players to be "extra" physical.  I hope the referee will be able to keep Madrid under control, especially in front of their crowd.

Personally, I would be happy to concede a draw against a maturer Madrid team and focus our strength on the CL, for if the Big Mouth can't make it to the CL, he'll make sure that FCB will pay the price.  I can imagine him plotting his "scorched earth" plan; FCB will be so weak by the time they get to the final (if they do), even the opponents B team will give FCB a hard time.

On the other hand, a simple 1 goal victory at White Castle's (not the burger joint) would strike a severe mental blow to the Madridistas, who are desperately seeking revenge for the past 5 losses and especially for the last 5-0 humiliation, in order to believe in themselves again.

Copa del Rey:
I think that team B got the Copa and deserve to play the Copa even if they do get mauled:

F:     Afellay, Jeffren, and an MVP component (I feel sorry for Bojan, he's just so unlucky)
M:    Thiago, Dos Santos, and Keita
D:     Maxwell, Milito, Fontas, and Alves
KG:  Pinto

I say let's give this bone to the dogs, even though I think that this dog is smart enough to not take the bait and is OBSESSED in the T-Bone steak, the Champions League, after having tasted it twice before.

Champions League:
The loss of Moron-hu's rock in defense Carvalho is a severe blow, especially with hot-heads Pepe and Ramos.  This aspect should lessen the severity of our own losses in defense (Puyol and Abidal) rendering Madrid prone to our attacks.  Recall that Madrid's players are not used to playing on three fronts at the same time.  We have to win in the first leg when Madrid is without Carvalho!!!

Expected FCB CL Line-up:
F:    Messi, Villa, Pedro
M:   Iniesta, Xavi, Mascehrano
D:    Adriano, Pique, Busquets, and Alves

I have to admit, I did not think that the Big Mouth could bring the players this far.

Overall, we only need to win 2 of the 4 four games but not the Cope del Rey.

All the best!

Barcelona's expected line-up at the El Madrigal

OK, based on our current injuries and with an eye towards the Champions League game, here is my line up:

F:     Afellay (L), Villa (C), Bojan
M:    Iniesta, Keita, Mascherano
D:     Adriano (L), Pique, Busquets, Alves (R)
GK:  Valdez

Reserves: Messi, Thiago and Jeffren

El Madrigal is a difficult stadium with an even more difficult crowd (kudos to the Villarreal fans for their loyalty) as such I would like to see the team play a physical first half (Keita and Mascherano) and slow the tempo of the game but bring in the heat in the 2nd half with Messi and Jeffren, if needed.  I would like to see Messi saved for the CL game later in the week and not risk an injury especially after the last scare.  I've included Afellay after his strong showing in the Euro qualifiers (I hope he shines and stays with the team).

For Villearreal, Nilmar and Rossi will want to impress Barcelona and show what they're made of.

Prediction? Based on the above and the fact that we don't do good when we come back from international games, I think it will be a hard earned draw...

Enjoy the game!

Messi injury

The Associated Press reports that Messi will probably miss out on this Saturday's game against Getafe.  Alves and Adriano, as well as Pedro were also injured at Sevilla, which means that Jeffren or Affellay may get the go ahead to play, as well Maxwell as left back.