The FC Barcelona 04-05 thread

Jeffrey S · May 11, 2004

I thought I'd start a new thread that would be the place we could have all the confirmed deals, signings, renewals, sales, in one place. That way the "signing specs" thread can continue to be speculative, and this more definitive. Hope the mods agree.

So we begin with Belletti, signed and confirmed. I am confused about the numbers but it is clear Barça technically bought back Pepe Reina and sold him back as part of the deal, so he is no longer a Barça player. Interview with him tonight on the radio (Reina that is) had him speaking very highly of Belletti. Stats on Belletti have him coming from At. Mineiro to Villareal, on the Brazil World Cup team, where he is the cover for Cafu. He has scored three in 31 games this year, with 5 yellows and a red card. Considered more an offensive right back, so much so that he has played right side midfield this year as well.

As reported this could mean the end of Reiziger's long period at Barça. I think they say that in some 250 games with us he has not scored a single goal in official matches. But his future is still speculation.

Gabri has renewed his contract with the club as well this week. I think his versatility and capacity to cover on the back sides and right midfield, even moving forwards, was a key reason in keeping him, along with his relative youth.

DutchFootballRulez · May 11, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

I think Puyol plays Centrally for us now. So Belleti then Puyol and Marquez. Now the LB issue.

mikeb3142 · May 11, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Great idea for a thread. I really like the signing of Belletti. I felt this year that Reizeger was not that effective going forward, which meant that the wing was typically on the right side to open up space on the left for GvB's forward runs. Now we can perhaps have a left sided wing player (VdV or Luque) and have the space on the right flank covered by Belletti. He also holds an italian passport.

I do hope we keep Reizeger regardless of this signing. He is very versatile in the back and has been a great servant of the club over the years. He would help out a lot with our depth as I think now he is a stronger defender than gabri.

Don't forget about Oleguer in the back as well.

Also, is GvB going to be confirmed this week. I read somewhere that it would be sorted out soon.

Jeffrey S · May 11, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Belletti's web is www.belletti.com.br, with okay English.

He started as a futsal keeper, went to Cruzeiro where his brother was with youth and sort of accidently tried out when 18. Played it seems left side at the back, was transferred to Sao Paulo. Still a teen was called up for Brazil, but later lost a year with injury, had problems getting back. Went to At. Mineiro, where they won Libertadores. Back to Sao Paulo. Transferred to Villareal after the World Cup for 2,500,000 dollars. Has been capped over 40 times for Brazil and has been regularly called up by all recent coaches. Seems that in fact he has only consolidated as a right back or "false" right mid with Villareal and recently with the seleçao. Sound like the type of signing you make on the basis of serious silent scouting, and with the relationship with the other club already set up with Reina and Riquelme on loan there. If Villareal had not accepted Barça could always have brought back Reina and sold him for more, same with Roman, so here I think Villareal simply said fine.

krazbo · May 12, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Belletti is a great signing, he will add a lot of attacking power to our team, same as Roberto Carlos does in Madrid. The think I like is that we didnt overpaid him. 3,7 million € + Reina is a great deal (how much could we geat for Reian is another question).
http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/20040512/NOTICIA154713317.html
What will Barca do with Reiziger?

Who is next, Laporta said for Elmundodeportivo that all the new signing will be known afer the season ends. Trezeguet is still hot name, Xavi Alonso is a new name that Laporta mentioned... and I am still waitting for news about new/old LB and VDV.

With the offering of the Sao Paulo on the table (8 million for Luis Fabiano), the Barça has to summarize with the Juve the price of Trezeguet, that also interests the technicians. The present market price of David is of 23 million €, but the Barça only would be willing to pay a maximum of 15. The agreement with the player is total, but clubs still need to find ageement for transfer fee.

DutchFootballRulez · May 12, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

I think Juve is interested in Fabiano in some measure, and if Barca could somehow guarantee Juve will get Fabioso, then we'd get Trez, which I don't know about. I'm more concerned about whether Chelsea will truly come after Ronaldinho and whether Ronnie will sign w/ a chance to go to London.

astabooty · May 12, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

DutchFootballRulez said:

I think Puyol plays Centrally for us now. So Belleti then Puyol and Marquez. Now the LB issue.
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oleguer will start over marquez if he stays.

as for the talk about luis fabiano, trez, etc...JeffS wanted this thread to be about confirmed deals, not rumors.
'That way the "signing specs" thread can continue to be speculative, and this more definitive. Hope the mods agree.'

Jeffrey S · May 12, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Juve played the 2nd leg of the Coppa today, Trez scored first but Lazio came back to draw 2-2 and take it. So now his season's committments are over and I suspect we'll be talking a lot about him in the next few days. Press here says it is almost a done deal.

Press is also reporting that Luis Enrique will not continue, even asking (press that is) for some kind of homage this Sunday in what would be his last game for Barça at Camp Nou.

mikeb3142 · May 13, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Jeff,

Similar to what you are saying about Luis Enrique, who else do you think is playing (or sitting on the bench) their last home match for barca this weekend?

You certainly are a lot closer to this then we are.

If I had to throw out a couple names, I would say Overmars, Kluivert, Gerard, Rustu and Reizeger.

Jeffrey S · May 13, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

mikeb3142 said:

Jeff,

Similar to what you are saying about Luis Enrique, who else do you think is playing (or sitting on the bench) their last home match for barca this weekend?

You certainly are a lot closer to this then we are.

If I had to throw out a couple names, I would say Overmars, Kluivert, Gerard, Rustu and Reizeger.
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No word at all on Rustu, which is odd since he would be an obvious one.

No word either on Kluivert and Overmaars. Kluivert's wife has a business here, they are very assimilated, he even speaks Catalan. I don't think he really wants to go. His salary is also high, tough to find anything similar elsewhere in the current market.

Gerard has been confirmed by Rijkaard along with Motta for next year. Remember that Gerard played a lot at the start of the season and the coach likes him. Perhaps as he has a high salary (one of the top 5) they'll ask him to turn fixed wages into incentives.

Reiziger and Cocu have supposedly been offered another year each, but reducing salary. Reiziger may opt for a longer final contract elsewhere (speculating on Man City), he's 31. Cocu seems to want to stay but the agent is doubting. Think he's older and could be near retirement, after another year here back to Holland for a few more and then out.

Word is that the offer for Trezeguet is low, around 10 million, so if any other club wants to step in he's accessible.

And filling in details, reports say that Belletti has been offered three years plus two optional at 1.2 million Euros a year, don't know what is incentive and what is fixed wage. Catalunya plays Brazil on the 25th so he'll likely sign for us when he is here with the canarinhos.

Greddy · May 13, 2004

The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Please excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by "Catalunya plays Brazil on the 25th"? Is this some kind of "one off" game featuring players from Catalunya, or is there an actual national team with dedicated manager and everything?

Juanele · May 13, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Greddy said:

Please excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by "Catalunya plays Brazil on the 25th"? Is this some kind of "one off" game featuring players from Catalunya, or is there an actual national team with dedicated manager and everything?
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A quick response is that yes it is a one off game that is played every year. Euskadi has a similar game, same with Andalucia, Galicia, Valencia, etcetera.

mikeb3142 · May 13, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

I guess, I see about 4 or 5 players coming into the squad this offseason. The first of which is obviously Belletti, but I think what we will see is that these players are bought for a purpose unlike in the previous era. Squad depth isnt really a problem, which unfortunately means that a lot of the players will have to go. For example, if we sign Trez, then either Kluivert or Saviola is on the way out. With the one striker system, there is no point in carrying three strikers since i am sure we will also look to incorporate Sergio Garcia into the squad more.

Sport is also reporting the Fernando Navarro will be asked to return. May this mean that arsenal are asking for too much for GvB?

DutchFootballRulez · May 13, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

I'd assume Arsenal are asking too much. Considering the value of players like Evra and Navarro returning. GvB is 30 years old next season. At LB he should be less than 1.5 million Euros.

Jeffrey S · May 14, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Greddy said:

Please excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by "Catalunya plays Brazil on the 25th"? Is this some kind of "one off" game featuring players from Catalunya, or is there an actual national team with dedicated manager and everything?
Click to expand...

They only play friendlies, though there is a massive movement to get them recognized internationally and officially. Usually one or two men's games a year, every Xmas and lately end of season. Pichi Alonso, ex Barça and Espanyol is the coach. Games are usually very entertaining, over the past years I have seen Catalunya beat Nigeria, Lithuania, Bulgaria, I think we drew Serbia, beat Chile last Xmas. Lost to Brazil 1-3 at Camp Nou this time 2002, including a fine Ronaldinho goal dribbling a couple of defenders (not sure if he laid it off for another to score in the end??) and another on a free kick.

Hoping to go.

Re Catalunya, the international skating federation has recently recognized Catalunya as official for roller hockey, ice skating, speed skating. Very controversial in the rest of Spain. Right now Catalunya is playing the European women's futsal tournament, beat Armenia yesterday and play Belgium next. They have also had official teams in such sports as pitch and putt and korfball, not much, though the skating decision was a big victory for the nationalists here. I think in football it is an obvious waste of time to worry about anything except the odd friendly.

Jeffrey S · May 14, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

mikeb3142 said:

Sport is also reporting the Fernando Navarro will be asked to return. May this mean that arsenal are asking for too much for GvB?
Click to expand...

Navarro is back as they want to look at him over the pre-season, either keep him as cover for Gio or loan him out again. He at least got a half-season with Albacete after recovering from the bad knee injury. But it is quite sure VanB is staying, just not confirmed yet. I think Arsenal wants to unload his salary costs and will ask very little.

DutchFootballRulez · May 15, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Fabiano fancies Barca

by Patricio Figueroa
Sao Paulo striker Luis Fabiano has revealed that he wants to travel to Europe and play for Barcelona.
The striker is determined to return to Europe and prove himself, having failed to cut much ice at Rennes, and fancies a crack at life at Camp Nou.

"It would be a dream come true for me to have the chance to play for Barcelona," he said. "I am very proud that my name is in a list of players that could be possible reinforcements of that team.

"Barcelona is one of the two best teams in the world.

"I had a bad experience in France so now I am only interested in playing in Spain, Italy or England."

"In the past season I had some conversations with people from Barcelona, but that's all.

"This year I spoke with Ronaldinho about how good it would be to have the chance to play with him there. He has told me wonderful things about Barcelona. It would be very easy to play with him."

Apparently, it will take a rather large bid to get Fabiano but I also don't believe Luiz Fabioso, has an EU passport?

krazbo · May 16, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

DutchFootballRulez said:

Fabiano fancies Barca

Apparently, it will take a rather large bid to get Fabiano but I also don't believe Luiz Fabioso, has an EU passport?
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I think skysport or El mudodepo reports last weak that Fabiano price is 10 million €, not more. But as you said, he is nonEU. As I understand all this his our secondary target if Bara fail with bid for Trezeguet.

bloonhead · May 16, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

According to this website Sorrin wants Trezeguet for €10 million but Juventus want €14 million. But they are negotiating for a €12 million transfer fee, but also that Chelsea are now favourites to sign him

Belletti hasn't signed a contract yet, he will most likely sign one at the end of the month.

bloonhead · May 16, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Also Luis Enrique could be staying on as assitant coach.

DutchFootballRulez · May 16, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Any player who wants to go to Chelsea is sorta nuts. There are too many players at Chelsea who are vying for starting spots. Chelsea has a logjam at Striker and in Midfield. I understand depth is important in Europe, but players of this magnitude do not like sitting the bench, and that's what a player will get into if Chelsea does not sell some players.

Jeffrey S · May 18, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

I know it is tough guys and I am not a mod so you can say shut-up, but lets speculate on the "New signings speculations" thread and reserve this one for deals that look to be done, with concrete money deals, so we can refer to it as a reliable source for next season's team. And that applies to myself as I've also strayed here.

DutchFootballRulez · May 19, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Fine, party pooper

Jeffrey S · May 25, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

So that is Cocu and Reiziger who will not be back. Overmaars and Kluivert are for sale. So is Rustu, Barça will simply ask him to look for another team. Riquelme has been confirmed on loan to Villareal another year.

Belletti signs and so does Van Bronckhorst, reportedly there is no transfer fee being paid to Arsenal. We take him and his salary off their hands.

I am especially surprised about Cocu as he would have ensured us a point of experience, especially with L-Enrique gone. Think we should have been more generous. But maybe he wants more than a year as he nears career's end.

Davids: should have word this week.

With these changes sounds like we are about to push hard for Ballack as the glamour signing of the summer. But why no word on Trez yet?

krazbo · May 25, 2004

Re: The New Barça: Player Movement for 04-05

Jeffrey S said:

With these changes sounds like we are about to push hard for Ballack as the glamour signing of the summer. But why no word on Trez yet?
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I think the problem is transfer fee, if there would be no Abramovich and Chelsea, Trez would already wear barca shirt. As all we know Juve want to get as much as possible for Trez, but Barca are willing to pay only up to 15 million €.

This Ballack topic will be one of the hottest this summer. I think we wont sign him before Euro. If he showes some good moves, we will probably try to sign him. I think final word will have new Bayern coach Magath.

So, we have one new face. Belletti deal is done as is GvB, we get GvB for free!!!