Xavi like Forster to replace Valdes

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has said that Celtic and England goalkeeper Fraser Forster wouldn’t look out of place within the Barcelona squad.

Manchester United are thought to be extremely interested in signing the 25-year-old who has been impressive since joining the Scottish champions from Newcastle in 2010, firstly on loan before the deal was made permanent last year.

Forster has seemingly produced his best performances in the Champions League, in particular against Barcelona, once again producing a strong display in their narrow 1-0 defeat this season.

Xavi believes Forster would be a good replacement for current number one ‘keeper Victor Valdes who is on his way out of the Nou Camp, classing the Englishman as ‘world class’, the Daily Mail report.

“I think the players all know about the Forster interest - and it is a player we know very well,” said Xavi.

“I can't say that I watch him every week - but when we have played Celtic he has shown that he is a world-class goalkeeper.

“From what I have seen he has everything to succeed at a club like Barcelona - and with his Champions League performances for Celtic I am sure there will be more than one big club interested in him.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon admitted that if a big club, like United or Barcelona, came in with an offer for Forster they would be left with no choice but to let him leave.

Alexis - the unheralded superstar

Barcelona have started the new season in ominous form, with the Catalan club still unbeaten in all competitions and dazzling the football community with their exhilarating style of play.
New boss Gerardo Martino has big shoes to fill after the considerable achievements of Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova, but it appears to be business as usual at Camp Nou.
It has been a great week for the Blaugrana, with victory in the first Clàsico of the campaign backed up by a 3-0 away win over Celta Vigo last night, maintaining their place at La Liga’s summit.
Despite Neymar winning much of the plaudits in the win over Real Madrid and Cesc Fàbregas netting twice on Tuesday night, Alexis Sánchez must be given credit for excellent form of late.
Following the Brazilian’s big-money addition over the summer, many predicted a campaign of limited opportunities for Sánchez, with even transfer rumblings of a move away from Camp Nou were being touted in speculation-hungry media sources.
However, the Chilean attacker has had a sparkling start to the new campaign, despite not always being granted a starting berth in the side. His strike against Celta was his seventh in nine games; only Lionel Messi has scored more for the Catalans this term.
Sánchez shot himself into the European limelight at Udinese, forming a mouth-watering attacking partnership with veteran Antonio Di Natale over five years and leading Francesco Guidolin’s side unexpectedly into the Champions League qualification berths.
Twenty goals in 95 Serie A appearances showed the former Cobreloa man’s eye for goal, while his pace and trickery made him one of the most exciting players in the Italian top flight.
A wrangle for the South American’s signature occurred throughout 2010 and in early 2011, with England, Spain and the top clubs in Serie A potential destinations.
In the end a move to Barcelona gave Sánchez the chance to prove himself on the biggest stage, and he has not looked out of place in the star-studded squad.
29 La Liga appearances in 2012-13 was a solid return to his debut campaign in Catalunya, with Sánchez showing glimpses of his incredible pedigree in patches. A lack of real consistency could be attributed to a struggle to command a run of games in the Barca starting XI, simply due to the sheer amount of attacking talent in the Blaugrana ranks.
This season has seen Sánchez seemingly mature, and he looks much more comfortable in the Barcelona ranks. The confidence that he displayed in scoring the decisive second goal against Madrid on Saturday was great to see, and he is certainly starting to live up to his superstar billing.
With 62 caps and 20 goals for Chile despite only being 24, Sánchez is proving himself to be an important man for club and country. With a World Cup on the horizon in 2014, Chile’s main man has a glorious chance to further his already substantial reputation.
Although the Chilean maestro has Messi, Neymar, Pedro and Cristian Tello to compete with for a starting berth in the Barcelona side, Sánchez is set to play a key role in the Catalan outfit’s quest for domestic and European honours this season. Seeing him in form and enjoying his football, the 24-year-old looks set to be just as much of a superstar as many of his illustrious team-mates.

Fabregas would have never moved to Man Utd

 

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas finally put an end to all rumours and speculation suggesting he was intent on making a move to Manchester United during the summer transfer window in a recent two part interview with the Guardian. The former Arsenal man remained adamant that he had no plans to make a return to the Premier League in the summer and has always been fully focused on succeeding at Barcelona.
The Barca and Spanish star seemed to be on his way to Old Trafford at one point in the summer but the deal failed to go through, to the surprise of many.
Clear
The newspaper quoted him as saying “It’s not something I was even thinking about.
“I was always clear in my mind that I want to succeed at Barcelona and I’d give everything to triumph here.”
When asked about why United appeared to be so convinced that the deal was going to go through, the Barca midfielder added: “At no time did I say I wanted to go and I stayed out of it.
“I was surprised. I didn’t encourage them at all.”
With Fabregas so adamant that the deal was never on and he had little interest in the attention of the Manchester club, it is hard to understand why there was so much speculation over a possible move back to the Premier League.
Good start
Fabregas has made a solid start to the season and the only player to have spent more time on the pitch so far this term for Barcelona is Gerard Pique.
The former Arsenal captain failed to consolidate a place in the Barca first team under Pep Guardiola and went through periods when he was mainly used as a substitute since making his return to the Camp Nou in 2011.

Fabregas felt uncomfortable at times under his previous manager’s system and was worried about failing to live up to the expectations he had been expected to live up to.

The midfielder reaffirmed this in the interview with the Guardian, saying: “I would sometimes think, if I move from here, we lose the ball and I leave someone free, I’ll get a rollicking.”
The Spanish international appears to be playing his best football since making his move back to the club and he confirmed this in the interview with the Guardian.
Fabregas is quoted as saying: “The season’s started brilliantly.
“This coach [Tata Martino] lets me play the way that suits my qualities and I’m very comfortable, very happy.”
With things looking up for the Barca player, he may finally be able to rediscover the form which won him his reputation as one of the world’s best central midfielders during his time at Arsenal.

Cesc remembering Arsenal days

Many Arsenal fans harbour feelings of resentment towards former midfielder and captain Cesc Fabregas following his return home to Barcelona in 2011.
Some fans felt that Fabregas turned his back on the Arsenal faithful by returning to Catalonia after years of awful chasing from Barcelona. When Arsene Wenger finally decides to call it a day on his career he will surely look back at the failure to bring silverware to the Emirates with Fabregas as the captain of his team as one of his biggest shortcomings during his tenure.
Despite plucking him at just 16 years of age, Wenger was unable to build a team around the young Spaniard that could drag themselves over the finish line and get their hands around some silverware. Some may say Wenger was constrained financially because of the infamous 'stadium debt' but you really can't blame Fabregas for packing his bags and calling it a day the season after losing the Carling Cup final and getting knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter final stage.
Everybody is entitled to their opinion with regards to Fabregas, of course, but the man bleeds Arsenal. This is a man that took a penalty against Barcelona with a broken leg for he so loved the club (biblical business) and not only that, but he saw out the last 10 minutes of that game and tried his upmost to win it for his team.
Why all this talk of Fabregas? Well, he has given a very interesting interview in which he talks of his desire to return to the club one day and also of his fondness of the club that gave him the chance to develop into one of the best midfielders in the world.
He also touches on Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, saying of Ramsey that if he was still at the club that maybe the Welshman wouldn't be enjoying such a fine run of form.
Fabregas didn't turn his back on Arsenal. No, the unfortunate truth is that he identified that the club were showing a lack of ambition with too much emphasis on young players as opposed to striking a balance between youth and experience. For Wenger and Arsenal fans, Fabregas was the one that got away.

El Clasico buildup

El Clasico: Real Madrid beat Barcelona back in March with a winner from Sergio Ramos

Jasper Juinen

This weekend will mark the biggest fixture in Spanish domestic football - El Clasico. It's the clash between the country's two biggest sides, and this year, it really could go either way.
La Liga expert David Cartlidge runs through the big questions ahead of this weekend's clash.

How well have Barcelona/Madrid been performing?
Barcelona have been in considerably better form this season, and only this past weekend dropped their first points of the season in the league. A draw with Osasuna brought an end to a winning run of 8 games, in that time Tata Martino became the first coach in history to win his first 8 La Liga games. It’s an interesting start to the season because Xavi and Andrés Iniesta haven’t been as influential.
The three I’d single out at this moment are Cesc, Neymar and Sergio Busquets. It’s of course a given that Lionel Messi is influential. As for Real Madrid, well there are severe teething problems. There was a significant overhaul in the summer and while Barca also changed their coach the transition is more wide ranging with Los Meringues.
José Mourinho was such a big character and replacing that will always take time, even with someone of Carlo Ancelotti’s experience. Then there is the personnel brought in, and those that left – a certain German now with Arsenal has been missed. In time though, they’ll get there. They have an amazing squad.

What do the Spanish press make of Gareth Bale?
To be honest, Bale’s career at Real Madrid thus far has been too intermittent to make any real analysis. The injuries and fitness, plus the media furore surrounding him, have gotten in the way in this regard. As a player, they haven’t said much. As a person, they like him. He gave a great presentation when signing, and came across as being very charming. Very likeable.

This is Neymar's first Clasico, can he have an impact?
Yes, a massive one. Neymar has been sensational since his arrival, on and off the field. On it he’s worked hard, showed flashes of linking together with Messi and of course offered that individual quality. Off it he’s been humble, and just as the same with Bale, very likeable. Neymar’s settling in has been in a word - perfect.

Are Barcelona suffering from the lack of a proper number nine?
I think they could do with one, certainly. More pressing is the issue of a top-class centre-back though. Carles Puyol is war wounded permanently too and can’t reach the same levels as before as hard as he tries. Gerard Piqué needs a proper partner not just because he can’t be entirely trusted but because Puyol is winding down, but Barca genuinely is short in that position.
Thiago Silva would’ve been perfect, but Barca’s hierarchy are toying with the club at the moment. To answer your question properly though, a proper 9 would offer a different dimension to the system of Martino’s, and would combat teams who defend with deep blocks.

How is Diego Lopez keeping Iker Casillas out of the Real side?
By being very, very good. Diego Lopez hasn’t let anyone down, and José Mourinho’s decision to play him has been entirely vindicated. It was long ago. It doesn’t make Iker Casillas a bad goalkeeper, it just means right now the form player is ahead of him, justifiably so. It is sad though, from a neutral point of view, to see Casillas on the bench. I think the whole of Spain is sad, somewhat, no matter who they support. He’s a legend given his actions with Spain.

What are the weaknesses of both sides?
For Barcelona the limits within the squad. If they came up against a Bayern tomorrow they’d still be in serious trouble. If the game is 1-0 to Madrid, 10 minutes left, the options are rather light. Against Osasuna the sight of Sergi Roberto, Cristian Tello, Alex Song and Jonathan Dos Santos wasn’t enthusing. They need more depth, more quality and more options for the system. Real Madrid meanwhile, the transition is their main weakness. There is a lot of conversation and confusion with them on the pitch at any given moment. Some still don’t properly know their role in this team. This was highlighted in the defeat to Atleti, their city rivals.

How will both sides line up?
Barcelona: Valdés; Dani Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Adriano; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Messi, Cesc, Neymar.
Real Madrid: López; Arbeloa, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Illarramendi, Khedira, Modric; Isco, Di Maria; Ronaldo.

Neymar vs Bale

The great thing about El Clasico matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid are that they always carries so many subplots. In recent years we’ve seen clashes billed on the back of Jose Mourinho vs. Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, following a summer which has thrown up change at both clubs, there are two more exciting aspects to look forward to ahead of this season’s first Clasico at Camp Nou on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti and Gerardo Martino will be taking charge of their first Clasico matches, but it’s the involvement of big money signings Neymar and Gareth Bale which adds another string to the fixture’s already impressive bow.
And if one of those players is ready to produce the defining moment this weekend, the stage seems best set for Neymar; the Brazilian has enjoyed a successful integration into the Barca team so far, while over in the Spanish capital Bale has struggled with injury problems.
Almost certain to start on the left of Barcelona’s front three, Neymar will, in all likelihood, be facing Alvaro Arbeloa. It naturally prompts memories of Brazil’s success against Spain in the Confederations Cup final in the summer, when Vicente del Bosque withdrew his right-back at the break after he was given a torrid time by Neymar.
Regardless of that, though, Neymar’s start to life in La Liga should be enough to panic Arbeloa anyway. The 21-year-old has been, at times, electric running with the ball; his ability to stop and accelerate again has been instrumental in allowing him to complete 32 out of 56 take-ons in the league this season. Some teams haven’t been able to deal with him – notably Sevilla who fouled him seven times.

He’s not been selfish either, in fact at times he’s bordered on the opposite – 67.7% his passes have been made backwards. Of the 13 chances he’s created in the Primera Division, five have led directly to goals, while he’s also created one goal in the Champions League. Two goals may represent a disappointing return from his eight league appearances so far, but the Clasico wouldn’t be a bad place to add his third from what has been a noticeably unselfish start to life in Catalonia.
If life in Spain has been seamlessly adapted to by Neymar though, the same can’t be said for Bale. The Welshman has made just one start for Madrid, featuring from the bench on four occasions. And, despite his goal against Villarreal, he’s been unable to recreate the form that saw him score 21 goals from 133 shots in the Premier League last season.
Across his appearances in the Champions League and La Liga, Bale is yet to create a chance for his team-mates. His use of the ball has, understandably perhaps, been poor too; he’s completed just 69% of his passes in the league and completed none of four when he came on against Juventus on Wednesday night. He has shown brief glimpses of the blistering pace that saw him complete 59/138 take-ons for Spurs in 2012/13 though, completing 5/13 in the few minutes he has worn the Madrid white.

What went wrong against Osasuna?

One must realise that playing Osasuna at their ground (which is aweful anyway) was tough. They cut the grasses out straight away when Barca match looms around to cut down the passing rhythm. This makes passing aweful, as the players displayed it. There were chances after chances created but they werent reaching the players as the ball travelled faster. If it was Camp Nou, Neymar could have scored on a hattrick. He missed three out and out chances when he was one on one with the goalie only that the threaded pass went beyond him. Barca passing style depends on the type of ground they play. Many accuse Montoya was terrible in the attack, I would straightaway prefer him to Alves when it comes to defending. In attack everyone where on wrong boots so pin pointing Montoya is not fair. Ok he lost two balls when in position, but that was because no player was inside the "D" and once it was crouded out by the Osasuna defence. The two crosses he actually gave could put Alves into shame. The lad is just playing his second match in the season, meanwhile we always hand Alves more than a match to get back into his normal self. 
Defense was in safe hands but there crops a question as we are not depending on our full backs to score or assist. There were times when Adriano and Montoya were the only wingers in position as our actual wingers were busy in the middle. Pedro is seriously getting down. His "NO GOALS" is not a worry but him being invisible for most part of the game is worry some. Neymar was Neymar and no doubt about that. 57 million invested safely. Cesc was.. CESC actually. Its high time we realise Barca's tempo slows down with Cesc as False 9. He dont have the pace and artistry to play there. We need a striker, a number 9, and I would trust some of the Barca B lads to show up. Sandro or Sanabria (from Juvenil A). Buying old horses would just add onto the liability list that is exceeding in our team. Bartra and Puyol again showed we dont have to invest 40 million to learn how to defend. The blame I put is on Iniesta and Xavi. They were keeping the passing tempo but they werent setting up in that magnitude. We are yet to see the best of Iniesta, a player who just didnt had a bad day in the office till this season. I am shocked to see him not taking on defenders and still carrying the ball forward. He is loosing them now.
We seriously have to think about some of the alternatives when the pitch doesnt support our system. I blame the pitch more than the players, eventhough they should have stood up to the task. Osasuna player said before the match that they will crop out the grass to cut down their rhythm. We should have interpreted that in a different way. Its fine we drew but Barca drewing and Barca loosing is pretty much the same thing for the fans now. Its high time Barca realise it and introduce a plan B. We are seeing the same style that we displayed last year without Messi. Thats worry some as Bayern showed us. Dont the Barcelona team management have an analyst to figure this out? WE are loyal to our style but we have to adapt to alien conditions too.