Carnivore Chris

With Koeman, I think he's got what it takes to add new dimensions to the team that has been lacking in recent years and he's also a big advocate of giving youth a chance. But as you said, he has a history of not always getting on with his players which could be a problem. As it stands however, all the signs in pre-season and in the opening game have been very positive. Fati was also excellent yesterday in that first half and I think all that can really stop him now is injuries as he is already showing alot of maturity in his all-round game for his age, both for club and recently, his country.

I'm not looking forward to this winter as the colds I catch seem to worsen every year and last longer, due to the work I do and it'll be difficult to know whether to stay at home or just carrying on working. It'd be great to have 2 week off for a cold, if they paid you, but they don't. So it's not an easy decision to make. Last year I had a shitty cold in October, another in December and then in late Jan/early Feb I had another, which actually had all the symptoms of covid looking back now, but to save arguments, I'll call it a cold. Either way, if I caught 3 colds this season, I couldn't have 6 weeks off unpaid as I've already lost enough this year.

Unfortunately we won't see this is England as it's too much of an uptight nation.

There is definitely something going on with those 2. But I do agree though. The manner in which Suarez was kicked out of the club isn't the way to treat a man who is the club's third top scorer and a future club legend.

As @El Profesor said, alot of it is down to getting high earners off the books, which makes sense in it self, but there needs to be replacements at the same time. The signing of Dest would make the Semedo sale make more sense. I haven't seen him much but he's a highly rated young player and it'd be interesting to see what he could bring @SirBalon 69 or even @Eco will have seen more of him. Bringing in young talent and giving chances to youth is the way to move forward. I mean Fati is genuinely brilliant for his age. I think the only players of that age group I rated higher/equally were the Brazilian Ronaldo, Messi and Mbappe. That's not to say Fati will reach that level but he's he's certainly showing he could be a real talent. I do actually think Fati could be moulded into a false 9 type player in the future, but he's too young to be given such responsibilities right now. Wilnaldum would also make sense because even though we've mentioned rejuvenating the team, you do need experience too and he's just recently won the Prem and the Champs league. He's an underrated player. But I'm not sure about Depay. He's improved loads since Man United but he's not the player Barcelona need for me.

If Semedo leaves though then a right back is massively needed, as Sergi Roberto is seriously poor and there is literally nobody else. There needs to be atleast a defender brought in as well as there is nobody there. It's a Championship defence at best. Umtiti(who needs selling anyway) is going, Tobido is going out on loan again...So where are the defenders? Then if Carles Aleña and Puig are loaned out, then that leaves an injury prone Pjanic, a slow past it Busquets and then de Jong, who is of course brilliant and one of the few positives about this side. Where is the depth in this area? A number 9? If you're selling Suarez, then it has to be in order to bring in a top number 9, or do the club think that a Championship player in Braithwaite is going to do the business? A lot of young players impressed during pre-season, but are going to be hurled out of the club in order to play 30+ year old players who were the problem last year. Suarez still offers more than any number 9 at the club. Whether he's not at his best or not, there isn't any other options, yet he's been thrown to the curb as if he was just a player, rather than the third top scorer in the club's history. The way he's been treat is a joke. The main ones who needed moving on from are Pique(but then I've said this for years now, so what's the use), Sergi Roberto, who might be from the youth system, but has never been a Barcelona player, Alba(still offers something, but can't play at his A game all the time anymore), and Busquets, who like Alba, can still offer something, but fresh legs are needed. de Jong is the perfect Busquets replacement and now it's about bringing in players to compliment him, or better yet, bleeding young players in. Arthur has been sold without any form of replacement. If a 30 year old Pjanic is that man, then that is embarrassing. I was thinking Puig would be the replacement with Pjanic replacing Rakitic/Vidal in the squad, but Puig has been thrown to the side, Aleña has....Where are all the replacements? Where is the squad? I thought the whole reason for selling Arthur was because of faith in Puig in the first place? Also Semedo isn't perfect and lacks consistency, but he's far better than Sergi Roberto and unless you have plans of brining in a player to improve this area, then it makes no fucking sense. The club don't have the money at the moment, but since that's the case, then you replace Pique and Sergi Roberto first(along with Rakitic, Vidal, Umtiti....) not Suarez and Semedo. They could be improved on, but if it comes to choices, then it makes sense to strengthen the areas that MOST need it.

A different looking bird now with the ring around its neck and rose colour with it.

Americans protesting against masks in a supermarket

And that then is exactly why I claim how naturally talented Dembele is. He just skips past players like they aren't there. Now, what would be be like if playing every week and stayed away from injuries for a full season?

Fati is a real threat in the air by the way. When you look at him, he doesn't look like s player you'd associate with aerial ability. It makes you wonder if in the future he can be built into that striker or false 9 type role if needed. Fati also doesn't play like a 17 year old. Honestly, what a player already. Intelligent off the ball, can play a pass and cross, good dribbler, quick, aerial threat, movement, works hard..

Why not? Toughen him up. Ewood park on a Saturday afternoon But he definitely shouldn't be sold. Thing is there is alot of young quality there now so it's about making sure everyone gets minutes. The big one this year is if Dembélé stays fit because the natural talent is there and he's shown it, but constant injuries have held him back. If he stays fit, there is a player there who could reach Neymar type level for me, but if he doesn't stay fit(which is unfortunately what I'm expecting) then we are probably looking at a player that "could have been".

Ye he's probably not ready yet BUT selling him would be a ridiculous decision, although not surprising with the current board. A loan to Betis or somewhere of that nature would do him well for a season.

I don't think a "second wave" was ever in doubt to be honest as the virus is too far spread and the world is too overpopulated for it to simply disappear. Not to mention people travel more than ever nowadays. It's going into lockdown around here I think along with a bunch of other Lancashire towns.

Also @El Profesor, Messi is only 9 goals away from beating Pele's record of most goals for a single club. If there is one reason to stay, it's to break a legendary Brazilian player's record

Araújo, Trincao, Aleñá, Puig, Fati, Pedri...that's actually alot of quality as far as young players are concerned. There is alot of potential there. Obviously de Jong is still young himself and Lenglet, if partnered with someone better than Pique, would look better. As for Messi, I don't think he'd ever refuse to play or not give it his all, as he always wants to win. The formation Koeman has been using is interesting. I think this team is very capable of fighting for all the domestic trophies, but the Champs league will be a step too much I think.

One thing for sure, is that I won't be out of work this time if there is another cuarentena. I'm also working literally 150 meters from home now, which means I can pop home for a munch and a spliff at dinner.

I agree as himself and de Hong could have formed the best midfield pairing in Europe in the coming years but I do rate Puig highly and I think his energy levels, aswell as his ability could take him far. Arthur was very inconsistent but I always thought he was held back under Valverde's system more than anything. I think where he left a bad taste in the mouth of the club and fans alike is when he injured himself skiing. His attitude didn't always seem great either. But you still feel him leaving will turn out being a mistake. Pedri is also a cracking young talent. Ansu, Pedri, Puig, Aleñá, Araújo, Trincao, possibly Todibo if he stays and doesn't go out on loan..there is actually a lot of quality young talent at the club right now. This will be make or break for Dembélé this season, but he's a serious talent and could really be a big player for Barcelona if his legs weren't made of glass. There is also this man as well of course, who is one of the players who the team needs to be built around:-

Nice pass at 1:10. Also @El Profesor look Who the midfielders were in the starting line up for the second half, which you see at the start of the video haha! It'll be interesting to see what Trincao brings, how De Jong will play under Koeman in his proper role, how Ansu and Puig will develop and if Carles Aleñá can now show he has what it takes. Will Dembélé finally stay injury free this season? Can Griezmann show his best form and will Araújo get chances at the back?

Carles Aleñá was the best player by a mile in that pre season game. Looks like the loan to Betis helped him alot. He looks sharp. Trincao was out to prove a point too. But it's what players do in the actual season they'll count in the end.

@Dr. Gonzo Hero. He should be rewarded for this and lauded on good morning Britain!

That sums this country up at the moment

To be honest though it's not really anything new as it's always been present, but I could see petty crime rising greatly, especially theft and muggings. As for shootings, the last time I was in Liverpool(going to the airport in March) a road was closed off with armed police everywhere in Speke as there had been two shootings. But then it is Liverpool .... There was even a shooting in McDonald's drive thru the other week.

15 year old shot in his head on the way to school in Suffolk today. To be honest though the shootings and stabbings in this country are more rife than they report as I'm subscribed to a YouTube channel of a fella from Birmingham who reports these incidents and there are many daily, although I suppose this has nwvr changed. Because the news doesn't report it in many cases, these problems in society are hidden. Kids shouldn't be getting shot in the head in this day and age but this isn't something rare anymore. The shooter was also 15 himself.

Who would want to go there anyway?

Coutinho is staying. If he's played more as an attacking midfielder like he was in his first half of the season at the club(where he was actually one of the best players), then it could work out. But not if he's part of a front 3, it doesn't work.