Barcelona 2021/22

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The point being made was that Barca was on the same level as Leeds right now (i.e. the bottom half of the EPL) - not on the same level as Man City or Chelski.
Personally, I believe Barca are somewhere "in-between" right now.

They'd be top 6-7 IMO, trying to aim for that fourth spot at best alongside us, United, Woolwich, West Ham, Wolves etc.
 


The former head of FC Barcelona's youth academy has been accused of historic child sex abuses, Spanish and Catalan media report.
According to the Catalan newspaper, Ara, the allegations against Albert Benaiges date back to the 1980s and 90s, when he worked as a PE teacher in the Les Corts district of the city.
One former student has made a formal statement to police and more are expected to follow in the coming days.
The 71-year-old denies the allegations.
The paper reported that there have been no allegations made by former players at the Barcelona academy, commonly known as La Masia, where Mr Benaiges worked from 1992 to 2011.
Among the accusations levelled against Mr Benaiges are claims that he exposed himself to students at the school, touched children, made them undress in front of classmates and that he showed them pornographic videos.

"I have never hurt anyone and if I have done it hasn't been intentionally," Mr Benaiges told Ara. "My conscience is very clear, I have never forced anybody and I have denounced paedophiles."
Catalonia's Minister for Education Josep González Cambray announced on Saturday that officials in his department have opened an investigation into the alleged abuses and pledged to support all those that come forward.
Writing on Twitter, Mr Cambray said that "school must be a space free of all violence. These situations are intolerable and we must act with the utmost firmness".
After leaving Barcelona in 2011, Mr Benaiges went on to work in the United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Japan.
Mr Benaiges rejoined Barcelona's academy earlier this year after Joan Laporta was re-elected as the club's president.
But he left the club last week over what club officials called "personal reasons". Ara reported that he was dismissed the day after the club learned of the paper's investigation.

First team coach Xavi told reporters that he was "surprised and stunned" by the allegations.
During his time in charge of the academy, Mr Benaiges oversaw the development of Barcelona's golden generation, bringing players including Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta through to the first team.
 
I was surprised that Barca could afford €55m fee for Ferran Torres - who will play as a CF, apparently. It looks like a good purchase and maybe the start of something development in the right direction


How can broke Barcelona afford to sign €55m Ferran Torres from Man City? | Goal.com

The Blaugrana's financial troubles have been well documented, leaving many fans asking just how exactly they plan to pay for the Spain international

Barcelona have all but sealed the signing of Manchester City forward Ferran Torres for €55 million (£47m/$62m), despite having a €1bn (£849m/$1.1bn) hole in their finances.

The Catalans remain mired in debt, leading many to wonder how they can afford to bring in a top-class attacking reinforcement in January.

The deal makes great sense to the parties concerned. Xavi wants quality in the final third; Barca are desperate for a player that can add goals and help them finish in the top four.


Torres, who left Valencia in the summer of 2020, has not nailed down a regular starting spot at City and jumped at the chance to return to Spain, especially for a club of Barcelona’s size, despite their recent piled-up humiliations.

City, for their part, have plenty of backup, with Raheem Sterling back in form after flirting with the exit, among various other forwards jostling for a spot in the side. They also signed Torres for €23m (£20m/$26m), so are making nearly triple their money back if he succeeds at Camp Nou, and the cost of the deal rises to €65m (£55m/$74m) once add-ons are taken into account.

Regardless of all those concerned being satisfied with the arrangement, the numbers have to add up for it to actually happen.

The up-front funding for the deal with City is not a problem, because Barcelona were recently loaned half a billion euros by investment bank Goldman Sachs. However, the issues lie with La Liga’s own financial fair play rules and spending limit, which they are far exceeding.

Just as Barca had to wait until the last minutes of the summer window to register Sergio Aguero, thanks to Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets taking pay-cuts, Torres will not be immediately able to play without further action to lower club costs.

Aguero’s recent retirement and decision to sacrifice the second year of his contract with Barcelona has eked out some room, with the Blaugrana able to spend what they save only on a 1:4 ratio because they are over La Liga’s spending cap.


For example, if Barcelona make €100m (£85m/$113m) of savings, they are permitted to spend €25m (£21m/$28m) on transfer fees and wages for new players.

Sporting director Mateu Alemany will have negotiated a low salary with Torres for the first six months of his contract, rising through the length of his deal, to help with minimising this season’s costs. The transfer fee will be amortised over the length of his contract, which is also the key to another part of the club’s plan.

Barca’s most pressing issue is to sign Ousmane Dembele to a new contract, with the France striker’s deal up in the summer. Not just so they do not lose him for free, but so the remaining portion of his transfer fee can be paid over the remaining years of his deal, instead of just this campaign.

That would create further breathing room and help set the ball rolling for getting the Torres registration through.

Dembele may also be asked to shift around his salary payment structure to let the club bring Torres in. It is in the interests of everyone at the club that more help arrives in attack, as it will aid Barcelona’s challenge for a top-four spot and Champions League football next season.

Sergi Roberto is another player with an expiring contract who might negotiate a new deal that minimises what he is owed in the short term.

Most importantly of all, the club will need to offload unwanted players. In recent weeks Philippe Coutinho has been left on the bench and seen players like Riqui Puig and Ferran Jutgla come on or start ahead of him.

It is a message from Xavi. The Brazilian’s time is up, and if Barcelona could sell him, or even loan him to get his wages off the books for this season, it would be a huge help.

Similarly, Samuel Umtiti is another player who is not required, with Xavi having started him against Osasuna in his first appearance of the season to put him in the shop window.

Reserve goalkeeper Neto is another who could depart, with the club happy to utilise La Masia graduates Inaki Pena or Arnau Tenas in his place on the bench.

Other clubs will also see a potential opportunity to strike for some of the club’s stars, including Frenkie de Jong and Sergino Dest, although president Joan Laporta will be loathe to let any of the club's teenage starlets like Ansu Fati, Gavi, Pedri and Nico Gonzalez depart.

As well as the team’s dependence on them, they also carry the fans’ hopes. The Torres deal will boost morale there too.

While some will view the operation as an extravagance for a club that cannot afford it, it is also a sign that Barcelona are not dead - something potential sponsors and investors will approve and value.

Atletico Madrid’s defeat by Granada on Wednesday leaves Barca just two points off Champions League qualification, despite their dismal start to the campaign. It means immediate investment in this targeted area might now help secure the club’s medium-term financial health.

Missing out on the top four is not something Barcelona’s tattered account books can bear, particularly after their stumble into the Europa League, and Torres can help stave off another crisis.
 
I was surprised that Barca could afford €55m fee for Ferran Torres - who will play as a CF, apparently. It looks like a good purchase and maybe the start of something development in the right direction


How can broke Barcelona afford to sign €55m Ferran Torres from Man City? | Goal.com

The Blaugrana's financial troubles have been well documented, leaving many fans asking just how exactly they plan to pay for the Spain international

Barcelona have all but sealed the signing of Manchester City forward Ferran Torres for €55 million (£47m/$62m), despite having a €1bn (£849m/$1.1bn) hole in their finances.

The Catalans remain mired in debt, leading many to wonder how they can afford to bring in a top-class attacking reinforcement in January.

The deal makes great sense to the parties concerned. Xavi wants quality in the final third; Barca are desperate for a player that can add goals and help them finish in the top four.


Torres, who left Valencia in the summer of 2020, has not nailed down a regular starting spot at City and jumped at the chance to return to Spain, especially for a club of Barcelona’s size, despite their recent piled-up humiliations.

City, for their part, have plenty of backup, with Raheem Sterling back in form after flirting with the exit, among various other forwards jostling for a spot in the side. They also signed Torres for €23m (£20m/$26m), so are making nearly triple their money back if he succeeds at Camp Nou, and the cost of the deal rises to €65m (£55m/$74m) once add-ons are taken into account.

Regardless of all those concerned being satisfied with the arrangement, the numbers have to add up for it to actually happen.

The up-front funding for the deal with City is not a problem, because Barcelona were recently loaned half a billion euros by investment bank Goldman Sachs. However, the issues lie with La Liga’s own financial fair play rules and spending limit, which they are far exceeding.

Just as Barca had to wait until the last minutes of the summer window to register Sergio Aguero, thanks to Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets taking pay-cuts, Torres will not be immediately able to play without further action to lower club costs.

Aguero’s recent retirement and decision to sacrifice the second year of his contract with Barcelona has eked out some room, with the Blaugrana able to spend what they save only on a 1:4 ratio because they are over La Liga’s spending cap.


For example, if Barcelona make €100m (£85m/$113m) of savings, they are permitted to spend €25m (£21m/$28m) on transfer fees and wages for new players.

Sporting director Mateu Alemany will have negotiated a low salary with Torres for the first six months of his contract, rising through the length of his deal, to help with minimising this season’s costs. The transfer fee will be amortised over the length of his contract, which is also the key to another part of the club’s plan.

Barca’s most pressing issue is to sign Ousmane Dembele to a new contract, with the France striker’s deal up in the summer. Not just so they do not lose him for free, but so the remaining portion of his transfer fee can be paid over the remaining years of his deal, instead of just this campaign.

That would create further breathing room and help set the ball rolling for getting the Torres registration through.

Dembele may also be asked to shift around his salary payment structure to let the club bring Torres in. It is in the interests of everyone at the club that more help arrives in attack, as it will aid Barcelona’s challenge for a top-four spot and Champions League football next season.

Sergi Roberto is another player with an expiring contract who might negotiate a new deal that minimises what he is owed in the short term.

Most importantly of all, the club will need to offload unwanted players. In recent weeks Philippe Coutinho has been left on the bench and seen players like Riqui Puig and Ferran Jutgla come on or start ahead of him.

It is a message from Xavi. The Brazilian’s time is up, and if Barcelona could sell him, or even loan him to get his wages off the books for this season, it would be a huge help.

Similarly, Samuel Umtiti is another player who is not required, with Xavi having started him against Osasuna in his first appearance of the season to put him in the shop window.

Reserve goalkeeper Neto is another who could depart, with the club happy to utilise La Masia graduates Inaki Pena or Arnau Tenas in his place on the bench.

Other clubs will also see a potential opportunity to strike for some of the club’s stars, including Frenkie de Jong and Sergino Dest, although president Joan Laporta will be loathe to let any of the club's teenage starlets like Ansu Fati, Gavi, Pedri and Nico Gonzalez depart.

As well as the team’s dependence on them, they also carry the fans’ hopes. The Torres deal will boost morale there too.

While some will view the operation as an extravagance for a club that cannot afford it, it is also a sign that Barcelona are not dead - something potential sponsors and investors will approve and value.

Atletico Madrid’s defeat by Granada on Wednesday leaves Barca just two points off Champions League qualification, despite their dismal start to the campaign. It means immediate investment in this targeted area might now help secure the club’s medium-term financial health.

Missing out on the top four is not something Barcelona’s tattered account books can bear, particularly after their stumble into the Europa League, and Torres can help stave off another crisis.

TL/DR, but in simple terms surely:

a) Aguero's wages removed from the bill +
b) Torres' wages added to the bill.

= They're financially better off.
 
Fuck Barcelona. They were a tail to the lions club before the Messi era below the likes of Milan and Utd.

That being said. It’s quite remarkable how a brand as big as Barcelona which is probably one of the most recognisable on earth is worth so little. Small tech companies get IPOs worth multi billion but Barcelona are dying from a debt of hundreds of millions. I know we moan about how money is ruining football but when you think of it football has less money in it than you’d expect.
 
Fuck Barcelona. They were a tail to the lions club before the Messi era below the likes of Milan and Utd.

That being said. It’s quite remarkable how a brand as big as Barcelona which is probably one of the most recognisable on earth is worth so little. Small tech companies get IPOs worth multi billion but Barcelona are dying from a debt of hundreds of millions. I know we moan about how money is ruining football but when you think of it football has less money in it than you’d expect.
Its cash flow rather than debt isn't it? Spain have strict ffp rules so barca can't spend until they sort it out.
 
Its cash flow rather than debt isn't it? Spain have strict ffp rules so barca can't spend until they sort it out.
Well you accumulate debt in some proportion to cash flow (and you get financing accordingly). If you want to look at it from that angle than football has a remarkably low cash flow bearing in mind public interest and brand recognition of the big clubs.

Barcelona’s net worth is between 3.5-5 billions (highest for a football club in the world). That would put them as one of the smaller companies on the S&P 500 (and’s that with subtracting reduced value for football players that affect net worth calculations).
 
Barca are reportedly unable to register Ferran to play since despite getting rid of Aguero's wages, their wage bill is still too high.

Never change, Barca.
 
Barca are reportedly unable to register Ferran to play since despite getting rid of Aguero's wages, their wage bill is still too high.

Never change, Barca.
Barcelona's accountant spotted outside the Nou Camp
kevin-the-office-1608142656436_160w.jpg
 
Barca are reportedly unable to register Ferran to play since despite getting rid of Aguero's wages, their wage bill is still too high.

Never change, Barca.
It used to be one of the best run top clubs ....and then, almost overnight, it turned into a disaster and become one of the worst run clubs...
Even the Ferran Torres deal was a financial miscalculation: Barca thought they'd get him for €45m, but ended up having to pay €55m + add ons.
There are particularly 3 Barca deals who stand out as total disasters:
Coutinho costing €135 millions plus add-ons earning €23m a year!
Ousmane Dembélé cost €105 million plus a reported €40 million add-ons (to extend his contract with Barca he apparently wants €40m a year plus €20m re-signing bonus)
Antoine Griezmann cost €120 million and was earning €17m a year.

But one can also add these since 2016 (added just the most hopeless cases):

Frenkie de Jong cost €86m
Miralem Pjanic costing 60m
Francisco Tincao costing €30m
Neto costing €26m
Malcom €41m
Clement Lengeet cost €35m
Paulinho €40m
Nelson Semedo €36m
Andre Gomes €36m
Paco Alcacer €30m

Apart from Frenkie de Jong (who the clubs still have high hopes for) and, to a less extent, Lenglet all the other players are costly disaster signings.
Since 2015 Barca have spent €955m on 27 players
 
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It just to be one of the best run top clubs ....and then, almost overnight, it turned into a disaster...
Even the Ferran Torres deal was a financial miscalculation: Barca thought they'd get him for €45m, but ended up having to pay €55m + add ons.
There are particularly 3 Barca deals that particularly stand out as total disasters:
Coutinho costing €135 millions plus add-ons earning €23m a year!
Ousmane Dembélé cost €105 million plus a reported €40 million add-ons (to extend his contract with Barca he apparently wants €40m a year plus €20m re-signing bonus)
Antoine Griezmann cost €120 million and was earning €17m a year.

But one can also add these since 2016 (added just the most hopeless cases):

Frenkie de Jong cost €86m
Miralem Pjanic costing 60m
Francisco Tincao costing €30m
Neto costing €26m
Malcom €41m
Clement Lengeet cost €35m
Paulinho €40m
Nelson Semedo €36m
Andre Gomes €36m
Paco Alcacer €30m

Apart from Frenkie de Jong (which the clubs still have high hopes for) and, to a less extent, Lenglet all the other players are costly disaster signings.
Since 2015 Barca have spent €955m on 27 players
They did a Leeds!

dOs4TLh.gif
 
There are particularly 3 Barca deals that particularly stand out as total disasters:
Coutinho costing €135 millions plus add-ons earning €23m a year!
Ousmane Dembélé cost €105 million plus a reported €40 million add-ons (to extend his contract with Barca he apparently wants €40m a year plus €20m re-signing bonus)
Antoine Griezmann cost €120 million and was earning €17m a year.

Honestly 3 of the worst transfers of all time, all at one club, and all within a similar period of time. Eye watering fees and unbelievable wages they're still struggling with now. I'm not sure any club ever will match the incompetency of that much spending on 3 total flops.

Didn't their president get investigated because it was that bad? The amount of money on Coutinho alone is fucking staggering, he was never any better than someone like Eriksen in the PL, if anything just a flashier but more inconsistent version! They paid about double his actual value and practically made Liverpool what they are now by gift wrapping them a WC keeper and CB.
 
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