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[Kimchi Papi]

Unai Emery said he was very happy at Sevilla & fully intends to lead the team in it's first CL campaign in 6 years. Rumored Barca RB target Aleix Vidal also said he hopes Emery stays too.

Emery had some really critical comments on Deulofeu -

He has incredible qualities but lacks others. Put him out there, one on one and ... pfff... But make him play football with teammates, on a big pitch, and it’s hard. He doesn’t have the maturity or capacity for sacrifice yet.

I told him: 'There are players here who aspire to a contract like yours, men with less talent but more hunger: Iborra, Carriço, Vitolo. They know what it costs. You haven’t experienced that. When you do, you’ll grow. I hope you get that. If not here, somewhere else.

@Keepie Uppie, you asked about Munir... This Barca site Grup 14 had this to say about several Barca B players include Munir. Not sure I agree with everything the writer said, but it's worth a read if anyone is interested. Spoiler mode below.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

The upcoming La Masia talents to break into Barcelona's first team

The summer transfer window is upon us once again but due to the transfer embargo on FC Barcelona, there won’t be any new players coming from the outside, which means La Masia has to come to the first team’s rescue. No problem, because in terms of talent, the ones coming up from La Masia could rival whatever is on the market, the timing couldn’t have been better. Despite Barcelona B’s big problems in Liga Adelante, their team is the most talented in recent memory.

Here are the players that have the potential to become relevant for the first team next season.

Sergi Samper (Defensive Midfielder)

The latest midfield talent produced by La Masia, Samper has the qualities to go all the way at Barcelona. Despite playing in the same position as irreplaceable Sergio Busquets, there are high expectations for the 20-year-old in the club, and the young Spaniard has already gotten some minutes for the first team this season in the Champions League vs Cypriot Champions APOEL. One shouldn’t be surprised to see him more with the first team next season, and with Xavi's departure Samper is likely be promoted to the first team.

Adama Traoré (Right Winger)

Last season, Adama Traoré really broke through in the second division in Spain and was selected in the team of the year, despite only being a regular for Barcelona B for half a season. Despite a few ups and downs, he has shown his talent this season in Liga Adelante, with 12 assists under his belt and having made the most dribbles among all players. A true winger who has also played a few games for the first team this season, great goal included, Adama might have a spot to play for at the first team next season with Pedro's exit looming.

Álejandro Grimaldo (Left Back)

After being out for a year in 2013 with a serious knee injury, Álejandro Grimaldo came back strongly last season and has been Barcelona B’s most consistent player this season. His looks and profile are reminiscent of Jordi Alba, but in terms of playing style, he resembles Dani Alves; a playmaking full back with the ability to shoot from long range. He’s also a decent central midfielder and the team’s set piece specialist, scoring three free-kick goals this season, the same number as Messi in La Liga this season. Adriano could leave Barcelona this summer, and Grimaldo will most likely take the spot as Jordi Alba’s backup.

Munir El Haddadi (Striker)

Munir El Haddadi had a spectacular start to this season, when Luis Enrique used him frequently in the Barcelona attack. But after Luis Suárez returned to the pitch, Munir returned to Barcelona B, where it has taken a bit of time for him to regain form but he has showed what he is capable of on multiple occasions. A fast and versatile attacker with an eye for goal, Munir will most likely be competing to become a backup for the front three next season.

Sandro Ramírez (Striker)

Luis Suárez’s absence at the start of the season opened up a chance for the B-team strikers. Sandro Ramírez was one of them. He wasn’t given quite as many chances as Munir El Haddadi but he turned out to be the more effective of the two, scoring goals against Levante, once vs Ajax and the winning goal against Villarreal away from home. He hasn’t done badly in Liga Adelante either, scoring eight goals. An effective, powerful and dynamic striker, he’ll also be competing to become the front trio’s backup on the first team next season, coming up against Adama and Munir.

Alen Halilović (Attacking Midfielder)

Last summer Alen Halilović joined Barcelona, starting at Barcelona B reportedly with a clause in his contract which will promote him to the first team next season. The young Croatian has shown potential but it’s clear that he needs time to integrate into Barcelona’s system. He had to play in central midfield, a position he really hasn’t been played before. Maybe another year at Barcelona B will benefit him instead of joining the first team next season. He got his debut with the first team earlier this season and we’ll see what Luis Enrique plans to do with the young and talented Croat.

Edgar Ié (Centre Back)

Joining Barcelona in 2012, Edgar Ié has been a regular player in Barcelona B’s defense for the past two seasons. Despite lacking strength and concentration at times, the Portuguese centre back uses his pace, composure and courage to keep the opposition from scoring. He has gotten one game for the first team this season, but his chances for more first-team action next season is doubtful, especially if Thomas Vermaelen stays fit. A loan could do Edgar Ié good.

Sergi Palencia (Right Back)

Sergi Palencia has really been the revelation this spring for a Barcelona B that has had quite a troubled Liga Adelante campaign. When Jordi Vinyals was promoted to take over for Eusebio Sacristan after the latter was fired, Vinyals decided to make Palencia a starter and the 19-year-old has performed accordingly. Palencia is solid in defense and not afraid to go forward either. With the possibility of Dani Alves not continuing and Barcelona needing a right back, Sergi Palencia might be a long-term option, if he can keep up. It’ll be interesting to see if he will get first-team action next season.

http://grup14.com/article/the-upcoming-la-masia-talents-to-break-into-barcelona-s-first-team

 

[jape]

What will their ratings be? Somewhere in the 30's or 40's?

^i was thinking the same

I honestly think in order to avoid offending women by this that they're going to need to do a separate rating system

Actually there's no way to not offend them

Aggression Rating: 2

Lmao

 

[rolaholic]

Apparently the Reds are gonna beat out Barca/Arsenal and are set to announce Gundogans signing this weekend...

 

[Sinner]

So, what do we know about this Prince Ali fella?

 

[rolaholic]

I dont know that much about him but just the fact that he's not Sepp would be a good start

 

[Sinner]

There's no limit...

 

[Kimchi Papi]

^ Phew... I hope so... I was kinda holding my breath with that one (Gundogan)...

sith blatter, "I cannot monitor everyone."

View media item 1553744
He also warned of more possible bad news coming as a result of the arrests but still plans on running for the elections tomorrow.

"Plausible deniability"...

 

[flyeed]

Wait so we're calling United "The Reds"?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that Liverpool's nickname?

Have they become that irrelevant that they can casually get their name stolen with nobody caring?

 

[rolaholic]

I've heard them referred to as the Reds quite commonly. Its shorter than the full Red Devil name that can sound awkward at times . Just like some people call Chelsea and Everton the blues .

Your 2nd point might just be true

 

[Coupé It]

Wait so we're calling United "The Reds"?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that Liverpool's nickname?

Have they become that irrelevant that they can casually get their name stolen with nobody caring?

Every other team in England is red, it's ridiculous. When I was a young kid I couldn't tell the difference between anyone in the epl when my dad would watch the games.

I'm sure there are another 10 teams with the nickname "reds".

 

[rck3sactown]

Heggsy FC and Spurs aren't red ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[firepower]

#NeverRed

 

[Coupé It]

Heggsy FC and Spurs aren't red ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I thought you would have pointed out my "the office" quote by now, disappointed :/

 

[rck3sactown]

 

Heggsy FC and Spurs aren't red ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I thought you would have pointed out my "the office" quote by now, disappointed :/

I don't see it 

ohhh the women's soccer one 

 

[heggsy]

We've got a red away kit.

I hate it.

We shouldn't be wearing red.

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Wow, looks like this fifa mess reaches Umerica's NASL...

[COLOR=#red]NASL’s deep ties with Traffic Sports create serious questions about league’s future[/COLOR]
Posted on May 28, 2015 by Kartik Krishnaiyer

As the dust begins to settle from the initial reaction to the momentous events that resulted in CONCACAF and FIFA officials being charged with corruption among other charges, questions have arisen about the viability and future of the second-division North American Soccer League (NASL).

On top of the indictment of Traffic Sports USA President Aaron Davidson who was, until yesterday, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the NASL, the day ended on a sour note after all of its teams participating in the US Open Cup competition lost games against opponents from the third-division United Soccer League (USL). Hours later, FIFA announced that Davidson, the driving force behind the creation of the NASL, had been banished from all soccer activities worldwide.

Midday Wednesday, the NASL issued a statement regarding its relationship between the league, Davidson and Traffic Sports.:

“In light of the ongoing investigation announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday, the North American Soccer League’s Board of Governors has suspended Chairperson Aaron Davidson, along with all business activities between the league and Traffic Sports, effective immediately. Commissioner Bill Peterson will serve as acting Chairperson.

“The Carolina RailHawks, the sole NASL club owned by Traffic Sports, will continue to operate in the ordinary course of business. The club’s management team will continue to manage the day-to-day operations.”

This statement might seem to bring some finality to Traffic Sports USA’s role with the league. However, the reality is quite different. Since 2010, Traffic USA’s press releases have used the following language to describe the relationship between the company and NASL:

“Over the past three decades, Traffic has organized and/or commercialized most of the official international soccer events in the Americas and today holds select exclusive commercial rights to the following premier properties in the region: Copa América, CONCACAF Gold Cup, Copa Libertadores, CONCACAF Champions League, CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, Copa do Brasil and the North American Soccer League (NASL).”

The relationship between Traffic and NASL is not merely one related to the ownership of a team and Davidson. It is an intricate commercial relationship. It is not a leap of faith by any means to theorize that without Traffic, NASL would not exist.

Yesterday, Northern Pitch’s Brian Quarstad published an article about the ownership stake in the league held by Traffic. It read:

“When NASL was formed, Traffic was (and is now) the major capital contributor to the venture, and the group owns the majority of B stock (66%) in the league. The league has a class A and class B stock ownership structure. The class A stock (representing all team owners in the league) is diluted each time a new owner enters NASL, according to a 2010 flowchart which was supplied to Northern Pitch. The flow chart also showed Traffic contributing $4.5 million, which would eventually get paid back with payments of $450,000 for the first 10 teams that entered the league. If the 2010 document is accurate, Traffic also received 30% commissions on commercial rights of media, sponsorships and merchandising.

“All NASL owners vote with class A rights. Class B stock does not vote but gives Traffic the control (veto rights) they needed for limited issues, based upon their risk, to control their return on equity and return of equity, if that ever happens.”

World Soccer Talk reached out to NASL for comment and to find out the league’s plans for funding since it has ceased business activities with Traffic Sports USA. However, NASL’s PR spokesperson did not return our message.

NASL now faces a difficult financial road without the involvement of Traffic Sports. Of primary concern must be the continued funding of league operations if more expansion teams and thus expansion fees are not added in the next few months as well as the future of the Carolina RailHawks. Regarding the RailHawks, the league should immediately assume ownership of the club using the precedent set last year when Commissioner Bill Peterson had the league take direct control over the Atlanta Silverbacks organization.

In terms of league funding, NASL’s already stretched owners might be asked to contribute more. Sela Sports, the owners of the New York Cosmos who have extensive business dealings in Asian Football, would be a likely candidate to not only provide stopgap funding but also to take the mantle of commercial rights and marketing that was previously held by Traffic.

Wealthy owners such as Dr. Bill McGuire in Minnesota and the five-man Brazilian leadership team at Fort Lauderdale Strikers might be asked to help alleviate the shortfall and fund Carolina. In addition, the new Miami FC owners who have recently invested in the league might need to make a strong financial commitment to ensure the league finishes out the season with minimal disruption.

Once the league assumes control of Carolina, which appears inventible at this moment in time, NASL will own two of its eleven active teams. This is a situation not dissimilar to where MLS found itself in 2001 with the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Dallas Burn. The Burn were sold to the Hunt family owners of the Columbus Crew, but the Mutiny were not sold and were contracted instead .

The league is already scrambling to find a buyer for the league owned Silverbacks and now must deal with an ownership issue related to Carolina. A potential solution might be to allow another owner in the league to buy temporary control of either the RailHawks or the Silverbacks. Again, Sela Sports and the New York Cosmos, who represent the most viable brand that has hitched its wagon to NASL, would be the most likely candidate.

NASL faces a rough few months ahead given the events surrounding Traffic Sports and the FIFA/CONCACAF scandal. For the good of the game in North America, fans throughout the region are hopeful NASL can find long-term solutions to these problems. However, no easy answers exist.

http://worldsoccertalk.com/2015/05/...reate-serious-questions-about-leagues-future/

 

[rck3sactown]

No wonder MLS bypassed NASL and went straight to USL Pro as their direct affiliate.

The Soccer Don (Garber) making the right powerplays 

 

 

[rck3sactown]

this is still so unreal to me 

on a lighter note, via the New Yorker

 

[mr marcus]

damn that's crazy/sad

 

[Kimchi Papi]

The piece from espn E60 on the qatar human rights violations from a while ago.

If the Barca elections yield a new era, I hope the club severs it's ties with anything qatar...

 

[rolaholic]

Beat me to it psk 

There's literal slave labor behind the construction of the venues and the workers are provided with subhuman living conditions and wages on top of the fact that there are barely any worker safety regulations which has helped create that staggering death toll 

 

 

[Kimchi Papi]

I'm actually getting a little tried of Michel Platini grandstanding out there & making anti-sepp statements... Homey is most likely just as corrupt as anyone in fifa... uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino looks like the epitomy of crookedness...

The uefa leadership is just as stupid... I mean who schedules a Albania vs Serbia qualifying game in Belgrade?!??!

 

[rolaholic]

Sadly,I wouldn't be surprised one bit if each and everyone of the regional confederations were at least somewhat corrupt 

.

On a lighter note...

 

[eiddyfouw]

I saw a new home jersey being sold on the side of the street...Red...with the three stripes down the side...but it had some weird white side panels...if that's the case...I won't be copping home jerseys...

 

[jape]

^ Phew... I hope so... I was kinda holding my breath with that one (Gundogan)...

sith blatter, "I cannot monitor everyone."

View media item 1553744
He also warned of more possible bad news coming as a result of the arrests but still plans on running for the elections tomorrow.

"Plausible deniability"...

I am glad to that we aren't getting gundogan it gives me more hope for Pogba...

And those black Manchester United jerseys are really nice.
I might just have to pick up one of those.