Barcelona is two points behind a CL spot. They will get there. I have no doubt about it.
Financially, there is a delusion here that goes both ways. First, the people who think Madrid can do just about anything. Second, the people who underestimate Barcelona’s ability to engineer the funding for certain deals. I didn’t say that Madrid represents the past. But they could easily bea new AC Milan for some years unless the environment in which they are doesn’t change. AC Milan continued to have big players and young talent, that wasn’t the issue. Having money and rebuilding doesn’t fix the environment. It’s why PSG’s project has a ceiling. We already had a “Haaland and Mbappe playing together in a one team league“. It was Neymar and Mbappe playing together at PSG.
Here is how La Liga is irrelevant now. This weekend we will see the 2nd place in the PL face the 3rd place. Liverpool vs Chelsea. Now take a 2nd vs 3rd game in La Liga. Betis vs Sevilla. Who is watching that? Or even Madrid vs Betis or Madrid vs Sevilla? I’ll watch it but I watch anything. It’s not an event. Tottenham vs United (6th vs 7th) gets the world talking. I’ve already said, maybe that won’t last. La Liga had Ronaldo vs Messi for years and it was the greatest show on Earth. The moment Ronaldo left, even putting on his best, Messi alone still couldn’t hold the same interest.
But that’s the Messi point. He was still getting unbelievable numbers in his final years there and it just wasn’t that interesting. Ronaldo and Messi didn’t become who they became on their records there alone, but because everyone wanted to watch them. That’s also how they got their publicity deals. Haaland playing for us with Pep as the manager against strong rivals in Chelsea and Liverpool, a solid Tottenham by Conte, maybe a decent enough United side with a new manager, a good Arsenal team, etc, that’s a whole different level of interest being generated. I follow this stuff as someone who studies social media. At Germany, the onlyLa Liga being relatively easy until Barcelona and Atletico recover . . to some extent could that not be argued as a selling point?
"You can rack up a few domestic trophies almost guaranteed here. This is where Ronaldo and Messi set their records. Why go to Manchester and get the shit kicked out of you by the likes of Phil Bardsley?" That kind of vibe.
I don’t think it’s about ego at all, though the majority of footballers (including our own despite what people think) have a big ego.I've said in another post that if Haaland's ego is so massive that he can't play in the same team as Mbappe and expects City to be "his" team then we shouldn't sign him. Or anyone like that.
I actually think it’s a decision that won’t come down to exclusively money like the most cynical seem to think but also neither about just his own decision alone. It’s probably kind of perfect to have himself, his dad and Raiola coming together for a decision. Each representing a side of the decision to be taken. I am genuinely and honestly convinced that the best case to be made is ours. We’ll see in not long if it remains the case.Well Gus you make a passionate case and maybe I'm even a bit more convinced than when we started. I think you should certainly be in the room when Txiki speaks to the Haaland crew.
Ultimately it comes down to what truly motivates Haaland in his heart.
Always enjoy your analysis Gus.. I think you make some valid points.I actually think it’s a decision that won’t come down to exclusively money like the most cynical seem to think but also neither about just his own decision alone. It’s probably kind of perfect to have himself, his dad and Raiola coming together for a decision. Each representing a side of the decision to be taken. I am genuinely and honestly convinced that the best case to be made is ours. We’ll see in not long if it remains the case.
No ones cynical about Haaland mate, curious as we don't really know him. It's his agent and the whole show he's directing that makes people concerned about the money.I actually think it’s a decision that won’t come down to exclusively money like the most cynical seem to think but also neither about just his own decision alone. It’s probably kind of perfect to have himself, his dad and Raiola coming together for a decision. Each representing a side of the decision to be taken. I am genuinely and honestly convinced that the best case to be made is ours. We’ll see in not long if it remains the case.
For me IF Madrid do want him...they will get him......but the question is do they want him....
They have courted Mbappe for a few years....yes both can play in the same team but does either Haaland or Mbappe want to play with each other......does the leadership at Madrid want Haaland
The cynicism I refer to is the usual suspects who think it will come down to a “bidding war” or a variation of that. But of course his staff does need to ponder the money among other factors. Which is why I think having the player, his father (who sees himself as an expert in football management per his own twitter bio) and Raiola (who also has his own staff) can make an informed decision, one that isn’t really explained in a single sentence, but in multiple factors.No ones cynical about Haaland mate, curious as we don't really know him. It's his agent and the whole show he's directing that makes people concerned about the money.
It would be refreshing if Haaland just came out and said "I want to play for" and fucked the circus master off.
He's a confident lad, that's for sure.