Just Barcelona News

As the transfer market draws ever closer, the number of stories, rumours and downright speculation will continue to grow. There are rebuilding plans at a number of big clubs around Europe, including Real Madrid from La Liga, PSG and Monaco in France and Chelsea, Manchester United and City in the English Premier League.

Barcelona are believed to be on the lookout for some new talent, but there will be some old faces on their way out of the Nou Camp as well. Three mentioned in the papers today are the striker David Villa, the keeper Victor Valdes and the right back Dani Alves.   .....Read more here.......

Cesc Fabregas became the first Spaniard to score a hat-trick for Barcelona in over a decade as they cruised to a 5-0 victory over relegation threatened Mallorca. It was the first of the former Arsenal players career, but I’m sure that he didn’t mind it being overshadowed on the night by the return of Eric Abidal.

Most people thought 33-year old Abidal would never play football again. He has been out of the game for over a year after serious liver problems. An initial operation didn’t work, but his cousin donated part of his own liver to the player, and the operation was a success. He then made a quicker and fuller recovery than doctors expected and was passed fit to resume training earlier this year.   .....Read more here.......

Tito Vilanova has been saying all season that David Villa is still an important part of the Barcelona team, but the club are being extra cautious with the 31-year old striker because of the serious nature of his injury and the length of time he spent on the sidelines.

That did not satisfy many journalists who constantly ask the manager about transfer rumours surrounding the player. This has intensified in recent weeks because of the January transfer window, with the English Premier league club Arsenal being strongly linked with a move for Villa.   .....Read more here.......

David Villa has been getting increasingly frustrated with his lack of playing opportunities for FC Barcelona, so he will want to prove his worth against Cordoba tonight. After playing for just 50 minutes as a substitute in the last six league games, Villa will start in the Copa Del Rey tonight.

There will be a number of first team regulars who are not in the team, including Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro and Pique, who are all rested. Adriano has failed a fitness test so will also miss out. Messi is in the squad but may not start, which raises more questions about the relationship between the two strikers. It is more likely, however, that they occupy the same position so are not ideally suited to playing together, although they have done so with some success when Villa has played this season.   .....Read more here.......

Barcelona fans love David Villa, partly because of how he has fit into the club since his move from Valencia in the summer of 2010. His 23 goals during that first season at Barca included a fantastic curling shot that ensured victory over Manchester United in the champions league final. We also won La Liga and went on to lift the Spanish Supercup against Real Madrid and the club world cup.   .....Read more here.......

Cesc Fabregas struggled to convince the Barcelona fans that he deserved his place in the starting line up after rejoining the club from Arsenal last summer. He has fared a lot better so far this season, cementing his place in the first team, starting all 15 league games, scoring five goals and providing 9 assists.

The 25-year old midfielder will have to sit out the next four weeks, however, after limping off the pitch during the weekend victory over Real Betis. The medical staff at Barcelona have revealed that he has torn the bicep femoris in his left thigh.   .....Read more here.......

Barcelona have got enough to deal with through their growing injury list, but have now got the complications of red cards and suspensions to key players as well. Tito Vilanova is having to perform a juggling act with his players in order to be able to field a full team.

Scottish champions Celtic come to the Nou camp tomorrow and Vilanova must shuffle the pack again, as Sergio Busquets is suspended following his late expulsion against Benfica. Former Arsenal player Alex Song will replace him for the game and will finally get to play in his proper position, rather than as a makeshift centre back.   .....Read more here.......

Manchester City are one of the few teams in the world that could even consider an attempt to poach players from FC Barcelona. They have got a massive financial backing and are the Champions of England with a place in the Champions League.

Barcelona fans were dismayed, therefore, when rumours of a bid by Man City to take Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas to the Premier league hit the media. Both teams have denied that any contact has taken place, in fact the Barcelona president Rosell claimed that the press are trying to destabilise the club because they do not want Barca to win anything.   .....Read more here.......