A NUMBER OF Barcelona stars may be packing their bags in anticipation of a summer clear-out after president Josep Bartomeu revealed that some players will be let go.
The Catalans finished their season on a low note with a 2-1 defeat in the Copa del Rey final against Valencia on Saturday.
Lionel Messi’s late goal was not enough to bring Barca back into the game after Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo had given Los Che a commanding lead in the first half, and the pre-match favourites were forced to relinquish the Copa after four straight victories in the competition.
That reverse also set the seal on a disastrous run-in for a side that was in contention for a treble less than a month ago.
La Liga was won with ease, but Barca’s Champions League dreams were similarly extinguished in painful fashion at Anfield when Liverpool stormed to a 4-0 win to overturn a seemingly unassailable first-leg advantage and reach the final.
As a result, several of Ernesto Valverde’s charges – as well as the coach himself – may find their places at Camp Nou under threat.
Philippe Coutinho and Samuel Umtiti are two established first-teamers considered for a sale, while Barca have already moved to bring in Frenkie de Jong from Ajax – and more new names are expected.
“The season ends with the La Liga title. It wasn’t to be in the Copa del Rey and we keep moving forward,” Bartomeu signalled to reporters in the wake of Copa del Rey defeat in Seville.
Every year new players come in. So far we have confirmed De Jong’s signing and now we will work on bringing in others and moving players on, as is normal every summer.
“Now is not the moment to do anything. There are always new signings, but now is not the moment to talk about it.”
De Jong’s Ajax team-mate Matthijs de Ligt is one man mentioned as a possible Barca transfer target this summer, while an approach is also expected for Antoine Griezmann after Atletico Madrid’s World Cup winner revealed he would not be staying at the Wanda Metropolitana beyond the 2018-19 season.
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What a finish by the ox. World class
@Yorkie1892: world class?
@Hon Tipp: world class finish.
@Yorkie1892: ah ok
Loserpool
@Joe Shea: Yeah they’re only the reigning champions. Real losers…
@Joe Shea: tosser
@Joe Shea: Well done Joe, did you come up with that one yourself? I’d say you’ll go far.
@Joe Shea: JOE DON’T JOKE ABOUT LIVERPOOL COS 6 TIMES AND 18 LEAGUE TITLES AND AND AND YNWA LOSERPOOL MORE LIKE WINNERPOOL AM I RIGHT LADS YNWAAAAAA
2 great goals from the Ox. Great to see him finding his form.
City west drama video here https://youtu.be/KtOeI8DE1JE
@Happy entertainment: since comments are closed on it I put video here
@Happy entertainment: youd swear it was downtown Lagos..
@Happy entertainment: I’d stay well clear of buying anywhere in Dublin with the prices haha.
Internazionale against Borussia Dortmund, a massive game, is on. But you’re covering Genk v Liverpool? Are we European or English?
@Philip Farrell: why even pose the question? The 42 is a business. This coverage will get more views and comments (including your one).
@Philip Farrell: Both red teams always get their own match blog here! Even the one that nobody admits to following any more!
@Philip Farrell: last time I checked both Liverpool and Genk were also European.
@The Bloody Nine: No Liverpool are a British football club in the north west of England.
@Philip Farrell: you do understand the basic economics of any business yes?? You know supply v demand and all that, same principles apply in this kinda of media outlet…regardless of what other games are on, Liverpool and UTD matches will always garner 50x more interest among Irish people. Also dont get the Europe reference, fairly certain Liverpool and Gent are in Europe. It is a European competition after all…
@Alan Brazil: and Genk is a football club located in the north-east of Belgium… both part of Europe.
@The Bloody Nine: Yes, you must be British and European and from Liverpool if you support them then.
@Alan Brazil: cold under that bridge tonight Al?
@Alan Brazil: you can be from anywhere and support whoever, Alan.
@Alan Brazil: and you are a lovely chap from a country in the north of Great Britain. :)
@Alan Brazil: and that’s not in Europe…I’ve seen it all now!!!!!!!!!!!
@Seaniecp: Yep, because Paddy is a Brit, not a European
Wow! Some goal in the RB Leipzig game!
Dont care much for Liverpool but what a goal by Chamberlin. That was ridiculous technique.
@Ottomaaan: Ridiculous? No need to be derisory about it. I think it was a fantastic finish myself- far from ridiculous. ( …as I slink off now, having aired my pedantic fury at the bizarre new-age approach with the social media generation of using “ridiculous” in a complimentary context. Along with “sick”, as also a popular alternative. I reckon we’re only one step away from someone saying “that goal was pure leukaemia” or some such nonsense…lol)
@David O Callaghan: thought you said you weren’t going to watch anymore soccer
@David O Callaghan: jesus David sit down and have a beer will you…
Who in VAR decides on the split second to press the button to decide on offside. It is a complete joke to see that Genk goal disallowed.
@Sheila Teehan: was it offside?
@Sheila Teehan: You’re right. All offside goals should be allowed.
Arbeitsseig as Jürgen put it..workman like performance..didn’t start like this…at least he focused in on the main problem and that was the sloppy loss of possession which was the only launch strategy Genk had. Whilst I like some of the clever touches by Firmino, Keita and Mane, it is by these transitions that will eventually undo Liverpool to more clinical sides. They are the most difficult to defend against…Klopp said it..we ALL know it. The conundrum Liverpool have is in trying to be more direct without overusing the ‘clever’ flicks. I was more impressed with Chelsea’s performance in Amsterdam…just being honest…