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Xavi was much better in the final third than Thiago at a similar age. Xavi played as a number 10 until his mid-late 20s when he became a deeper lying playmaker (Andrea Pirlo's career path was similar, but he became an even deeper playmaker than Xavi). I actually believe Thiago's skills are...

I really like Thiago as a talent, but he needs to greatly improve his playmaking skills if he wants to run Barca's midfield and supplant Xavi. I think Thiago has a very good understanding of tempo, but he lacks the vision to open defenses. For this reason alone, I understand why Barca would...

Various Spanish sources (print/radio) are running with news today that Ernesto Valverde is the favorite to take over at Barcelona should Tito step down for medical reasons. Ter Stegen is getting really serious about receiving an offer from Barcelona according to German sources. Thiago Silva is...

Although neither addresses aerial problems, Iñigo Martinez and Marquinhos are looking stronger by the day. I'm not sure Marquinhos isn't really a fullback though.

Mandanda has a games to goals allowed ratio and clean sheet record on par with anyone in the world. Only Neuer, Akinfeev, Buffon, Cech and Hart have more clean sheets this term. Ter Stegen is an amazing talent.

Mandanda, ter Stegen, Courtois or bust.

Neymar is supposedly coming from house money, at least in part, from statements the club has made since Rosell took over. If the club has in fact set money aside for this operation previously, the overall dent won't count as much against this summer's transfer kitty. I never believe the...

Multiple Spanish news and radio sources are reporting David Villa to Tottenham is almost done (only the little administrative things left, could be announced very soon). AVB has personally appealed to Villa. Madrid has approached Heynckes, but only for an "exchange of ideas." (How did you...

Rosell would be run out of Barcelona within minutes of even entertaining selling Tello and bringing on Reina.

This is too laughable to even consider, but, if it actually happened, I would throw every FCB item I own into the garbage.

Mazinho says Rafinha will be loaned out next season. Deulofeu will be loaned out if Neymar signs this summer as planned. I do not like loaning out young players. It runs counter to the club's philosophy. Guillermo Amor has said that the core belief behind La Masia was to bring players up...

I like the Bernard (Atletico Mineiro) link better. Speed. Bernard is closer to Kagawa style.

Not lately. They've been flocking to the Premier League. What you say makes sense, but these players just don't leave the homeland. Man United would have had Neuer, but he went to a rival in order to stay in Germany.

MundoDeportivo are quoting Brazilian sources as saying Santos want 50 million euros for their piece of the Neymar pie. They own just over half of his rights. The rest is third party. This means the overall operation would climb over 90 million euros. Barca would not have to pay 90 million to...

Ter Stegen is great, but the Germans are as tough to convince as the Italians when it comes to moving abroad.

On the subject of keepers, I think there are very few in the world worth 25+ million. I would count them on one hand- maybe less. For Barcelona, one on one and composure with feet are the two most important skills. Valdes has always struggled with his positioning. He's never appeared...

"My technique and feeling for the ball is the Turkish side to my game. The discipline, attitude and always-give-your-all is the German part." - Mesut Ozil Devrek, Zonguldak in Northwestern Turkey is where his family roots are. (no Kurds in this part of the country) Interesting.

I really hope he is the one Barca go for. Fantastic talent. Valdes out now. You'd be asking for crappy team chemistry if he stays around. The club would be very stupid to keep him at this point. He clearly wants out.

Barca needs a reliable defender who can deal with the high ball (both on set pieces and long passes). Marquinhos is an unbelievable talent on the ground, and I'd certainly welcome his signing next to someone more experienced. I think he'd be a great target for next summer provided a bidding...

The press are doing what they always do- pulling stuff straight out of their ass.