Indeed, I have never hidden my disdain for the board of Rosell or Bartomeu - they are a cancer
I do not agree with the premise that it is cheap - it's an oversimplification, I posted it cannot equal 'fair' market value. Not with those involved and certainly not easily - I recognize many here won't understand it or find it merely fantasy/insanity but those transfers involving a return of a youth player are unique, they always have been
And because Pep is a principal factor in all of this along with Puyol, Eric & De La Pena - there is an understanding of the long-term implications involved as well. He's managed his image post Barca impeccably, never even given a hint that he wishes anything but the best for his club irrespective of where he coaches. He has taken our players and improved them but he's never punished a youth for politics/contracts & certainly wouldn't dishonor himself with La Masia
I agree, I don't know. I always assumed it was as you have already pointed out, the board is terrible and they have been treating the youths like commodities rather than fundamental cogs of the club. Or the allure of Pep, a temptation I can fully respect for a Catalan youth player, was too great. No one is more blaugrana than Pep, he's largely treated terribly by local media yet has always shown nothing but professionalism despite it. He has not, however, yet crossed any lines with the club. Some lines you cross, you can never go back
You'll have to show me when I have ever said Eric Garcia has 'made it'. He's a blue chip prospect that was part of a class of special teammates. There has never been any question he'd make it to the 1st team, the only question has been how high his ceiling might be. No one knows but a Catalan Captain at every youth level is exactly the profile of a Barca 1st team player I like seeing