Bernardo Silva

[nmc]

There is a daily dose of this bullshit being served up in the Spanish press to the needy and insecure Barca faithful - who are struggling with the facts - they might have grown up in a world of entitlement but that doesn’t pan out too well when you don’t have a pot to piss in. They might not be able to afford to buy the best but it seems to make them feel relevant to at least be linked with the best… (see how many times they agreed terms with Haaland for example according to the Spanish press). Barcelona have been systematically plunged into financial meltdown by poor financial management (Coutinho and Dembele fees for example) - and nothing I’ve seen in the last 6 months suggests that lessons have been learned. They are selling their future income off cheap to loan sharks, continue to have an unsustainable wage bill, but continue to tap up players they cannot afford to purchase or finance the wages of…. There is no rationale that says Barca are going to be able to fund a transfer fee for Bernardo that is acceptable to City and nor are they going to be able to add him to their wage bill - so these stories have little if any credibility and anyone who believes them is just winding themselves up. Bernardo will be a City player in September - all logic points to that. If Bernardo is interested in a move to Barca he needs to take a step back and look at the likes of FDJ who has signed a contract in good faith and has seen his wages deferred and is being put under pressure to take a pay cut - would you really want to join that organisation?

 

[domalino]

As someone mentioned yesterday, I don’t know why Bernardo or any other half-decent footballer would want to go there, especially one who’s winning trophies with his current club. Barca’s a shit show and it isn’t that much closer to home. I doubt there’s much in the Barca rumours other than we know he wanted to move last season and possibly will sometime in the near future if an acceptable offer comes in.

This is a bit silly, there's loads of reasons to go.

- One of the 3/4 biggest clubs in the world. 98,000 seat stadium, Clasico's etc. Most famous rivalry in world football, instantly become part of Spain's social history as a player in a rivalry that transcends sport.
- One of the most beautiful cities in the world, right on the med, lovely climate and way of life.
- They've won 35 trophies since 2005. They've had down periods and dark periods before but only for a couple of years. If you sign a 6 year deal you won't leave empty handed.
- They pay incredible wages.
- More Ballon d'Or winners than anyone else. You have an entire machine pushing for personal recognition if you play well.

I've always believed that players want 3 things. Money, trophies and personal recognition. Barcelona guarantee 2 of those at their worst, and all 3 in an average year.

 

[nmc]

If anyone wants to know how likely this is, Rafa Honigstein has just reported on the totally football podcast that the Lewandowski transfer is being held up because Bayern Munich want all €50m upfront because they don't think Barcelona will be around in 2 or 3 years to pay installments.

The chances of Barcelona coughing up €70m+ for Bernardo are approaching zero.

This… zero is probably overstating it !

 

[Keeper!]

This is a bit silly, there's loads of reasons to go.

- One of the 3/4 biggest clubs in the world. Massive history, 98,000 seat stadium, Clasico's etc. Most famous rivalry in world football, instantly become part of Spain's social history as a player in a rivalry that transcends sport.
- One of the most beautiful cities in the world, right on the med, lovely climate and way of life.
- They've won 35 trophies since 2005. They've had down periods and dark periods before but only for a couple of years.
- They pay incredible wages.
- More Ballon d'Or winners than anyone else. You have an entire machine pushing for personal recognition if you play well.

So true, people have very short memories and live in a very small world.

 

[The slaughtered lamb]

This is a bit silly, there's loads of reasons to go.

- One of the 3/4 biggest clubs in the world. Massive history, 98,000 seat stadium, Clasico's etc. Most famous rivalry in world football, instantly become part of Spain's social history as a player in a rivalry that transcends sport.
- One of the most beautiful cities in the world, right on the med, lovely climate and way of life.
- They've won 35 trophies since 2005. They've had down periods and dark periods before but only for a couple of years.
- They pay incredible wages.
- More Ballon d'Or winners than anyone else. You have an entire machine pushing for personal recognition if you play well.

But now, presently, they’re in a ton of shit.

 

[domalino]

But now, presently, they’re in a ton of shit.

What does that mean? They finished 2nd in the league and are in the CL. They will challenge for trophies next year.

Their long term future is a mess, but I don't care about that if I'm signing a 5 year deal. I might want some more guarantees on them delivering the money they're promising, but other than that it means nothing to a player.

 

[The slaughtered lamb]

What does that mean? They finished 2nd in the league and are in the CL.

You know what it means. Not more than a few comments ago you quoted someone saying a club won’t accept instalments from Barca because they may not be around in a few years.

 

[domalino]

You know what it means. Not more than a few comments ago you quoted someone saying a club won’t accept instalments from Barca because they may not be around in a few years.

If Barcelona go bankrupt every billionaire, bank, private equity and hedge fund in the world will form an orderly queue to submit their rescue bids.

 

[wolviedinho]

I can see the appeal. However, no-one held a gun to Bernardo when he signed. The Mendy situation and covid has left him looking to move. In an ideal world he stays or renews but what we don’t want is the constant media crap whether it’s from Bernardo his agent or Barcelona. Set the fee @£100m and make it very simple. Pay up or fuck off.

We have lost more important players and at some point he will leave. The club might not find a player like him in terms of ground covered but we will find an alternative. With Kavlin coming in I don’t think we will need to rely on Bernie as much as we have done in the past.

No point getting wound up. Barca don’t seem to have the fund to buy but can still make a lot of noise. For me he stays until next season when their finances are in better shape.

 

[The slaughtered lamb]

If Barcelona go bankrupt every billionaire, bank, private equity and hedge fund in the world will form an orderly queue to submit their rescue bids.

And as top professional footballer at one of the most successful clubs in the world you’d be looking to swap into that situation?