Why Arda Turan can be considered Barcelona’s latest transfer failure | Barcablog
Arda Turan has finally left Barcelona! The Turkish international has agreed to join Basaksehir FK on a two-and-a-half year loan deal, which immediately alleviates Barca’s insanely high wage bill. Turan’s new club has agreed to pay his yearly wage in full and, if he was to move to a different team during the loan period, any proceeds of the sale would go to Barcelona.
Turan’s stay at Barca has been an absolute failure. Having only made 55 appearances, the former Atletico Madrid star was never a true protagonist at the Camp Nou. We speak about Turan’s influence and impact in much more detail here:
Hello Yerry Mina aka ‘No Dancing’ | Barcelona Football Blog
The unusually busy winter transfer window for Barça just got a little more so with the official announcement of the transfer of Colombia CB Yerry Mina. His buyout is 100m on a five-year deal, and the fee was just under 12m, an absurd bargain for a player who comprises a no-risk transfer for the club.
For the unfamiliar, Mina is best described as a Pique/Umtiti hybrid. He can range forward on attack with the ball and was a key builder from the back for his former club, Palmeiras, as well as in his role with the Colombian national team. He is 6’5″ tall, which makes him the tallest player on the roster, but he has real hops, unlike the second-tallest, Pique, who is an inch down on Mina. More here.
Barça’s Yerry Mina says meeting Lionel Messi gave him goosebumps | Sport
Mina spoke about his first meeting with Lionel Messi, during Barça’s training session on Friday, which Mina watched from the side.
“It’s special for me [to play with Messi],” he said. “For me, he’s the best player in the world. The first impression I got from him was one of humility. I was sat on the bench [on Friday] and he came over with Suarez from training, it was really special when he came to welcome me — it made my hair stand on end. I have always been a Barcelona fan. I have always liked their style and it’s enormously gratifying to now play for them and alongside the best players in the world.” More here.
Rakitic: I’d prefer it if Neymar was with Barcelona | Marca
Rakitic: “I’m not going to lie to you. I would prefer that Ney was here with us. Apart from being a great player, he is a friend and I am very fond of him. After that, we have to continue. Barcelona is not one, two or five players. It is the biggest club in the world and we have to keep working. It would seem better to be able to count on him, but if he is not there, we join forces to be even better.” More here.
Thomas Vermaelen proving his true worth in Samuel Umtiti’s absence | Barcablog
When Samuel Umtiti pulled his hamstring against Celta Vigo on 2nd of December, Barcelona fans were really tensed. It meant one of their most reliable player won’t be present in near future. Umiti signed for Barcelona from French side Lyon for £22 million in 2016. It was highly regarded as an investment by Catalans though the French international established himself at the heart of defence at Camp Nou.
Coming into 2017-18 season, his partnership with Gerard Pique is adjudged as one of the deadliest defensive duo’s in Spanish premier division. Before the injury layoff, Samuel Umtiti along with Pique and Ter Stegen conceded the lowest amount of goals in top five European leagues. The numbers are enough to describe his importance – but football is a game of surprises and chance. More here.
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