I'm going to see Arsenal play tomorrow at the Emirates, wonder what the reaction will be for Partey there...
On Frenkie de Jong
CBS Sports: You also need to resolve Frenkie de Jong's future. Will he stay at Barcelona?
Laporta: The first thing to say is we want Frenkie to stay at Barcelona. We love the player and him as a human being. I want him to stay at Barcelona. He's a high-quality player and a good guy. I also know that he wants to stay.
CBS Sports: How much of a headache has it been trying to get Frenkie to take a pay cut?
Laporta: All we are doing with Frenkie is the same as the rest of the squad. The signings coming in have adjusted their salary to the new structure. But Frenkie has a contract and we respect that. We can't force him to take a pay cut. It's his decision
We are trying to manage the football club in a prudent and sustainable way. So we have to have these talks and we do so in a calm and considered way. We have explained the situation and are grateful to any players who can help us. It was the same with Dembele and I am very grateful to him. And after months of talks, he accepted a renegotiation of his salary and he can be proud of his decision.
CBS Sports: What happens if Frenkie doesn't take a pay cut and just stays at Barcelona?
Laporta: Then he will continue. Has has a contract. We will respect that decision. For us, he's a Barcelona player. We count on him.
CBS Sports: Can you categorically confirm Frenkie won't join Manchester United?
Laporta: In football, you never know. I can't say categorically. It all depends on the different parties. But in principle, I can say there is a strong possibility he stays, and I can say as president I will do my best for him to stay at Barcelona.
CBS Sports: What is your response to Gary Neville, who says de Jong should take legal action?
Laporta: No answer. I respect his opinion. But in my opinion he's not right because I insist we are respecting all our players. We follow the contracts. If we invest in new players it's to make the club more competitive. It's a circle: You invest in new players, the fans engage and that in turn improves our economy. Gary has been a very good football player for Manchester United. I respect his opinion and that's all I have to say.
CBS Sports: What did you make of the Dutch players union chairman, Evgeniy Levchenko, who accused you of extortion tactics?
Laporta: There is no extortion being used on Frenkie or anyone else. I respect his opinion, but if talks between two parties counts as extortion then I think this guy is wrong.
CBS Sports: What makes you comfortable asking players to cut wages?
Laporta: The club has a payroll that's 40% higher than our competitors. We have to reduce this and it's not easy. But the players we are talking about -- who have taken pay cuts -- all love Barça. They reduced their salaries for the love of the club. All the players, new and old, understand the constraints. And they want to be artists who bring Barcelona back. They are aware they can be part of one of the most splendorous periods in the club's history.
CBS Sports: And morally, is it right to spend your newly-generated income on signings instead of deferred wages?
Laporta: I respect any opinion, but when people form this view they often don't have enough information to make such a statement. To me, the players we have signed this summer are investments not expenses. And our existing players understand this perfectly. The new signings adjust their salaries to the new structure that we have created and all we ask is the current squad, where possible, do the same.
People outside the club don't have all the information. We have to act this way or the club will probably disappear. We are not risking the club. On the contrary. I love Barcelona. So you can imagine, I don't take any decisions that risk the future of the club and our 122 years of history. It will be very difficult for anyone to damage the club with me as president because I am here to protect Barcelona. We have been so brave during difficult times and I know the fans believe in us. I feel the confidence and trust of the fans and what I want to do is bring back the splendorous times from my first period as president.
CBS Sports: You also need to resolve Frenkie de Jong's future. Will he stay at Barcelona?
Laporta: The first thing to say is we want Frenkie to stay at Barcelona. We love the player and him as a human being. I want him to stay at Barcelona. He's a high-quality player and a good guy. I also know that he wants to stay.
CBS Sports: How much of a headache has it been trying to get Frenkie to take a pay cut?
Laporta: All we are doing with Frenkie is the same as the rest of the squad. The signings coming in have adjusted their salary to the new structure. But Frenkie has a contract and we respect that. We can't force him to take a pay cut. It's his decision
We are trying to manage the football club in a prudent and sustainable way. So we have to have these talks and we do so in a calm and considered way. We have explained the situation and are grateful to any players who can help us. It was the same with Dembele and I am very grateful to him. And after months of talks, he accepted a renegotiation of his salary and he can be proud of his decision.
CBS Sports: What happens if Frenkie doesn't take a pay cut and just stays at Barcelona?
Laporta: Then he will continue. Has has a contract. We will respect that decision. For us, he's a Barcelona player. We count on him.
CBS Sports: Can you categorically confirm Frenkie won't join Manchester United?
Laporta: In football, you never know. I can't say categorically. It all depends on the different parties. But in principle, I can say there is a strong possibility he stays, and I can say as president I will do my best for him to stay at Barcelona.
CBS Sports: What is your response to Gary Neville, who says de Jong should take legal action?
Laporta: No answer. I respect his opinion. But in my opinion he's not right because I insist we are respecting all our players. We follow the contracts. If we invest in new players it's to make the club more competitive. It's a circle: You invest in new players, the fans engage and that in turn improves our economy. Gary has been a very good football player for Manchester United. I respect his opinion and that's all I have to say.
CBS Sports: What did you make of the Dutch players union chairman, Evgeniy Levchenko, who accused you of extortion tactics?
Laporta: There is no extortion being used on Frenkie or anyone else. I respect his opinion, but if talks between two parties counts as extortion then I think this guy is wrong.
CBS Sports: What makes you comfortable asking players to cut wages?
Laporta: The club has a payroll that's 40% higher than our competitors. We have to reduce this and it's not easy. But the players we are talking about -- who have taken pay cuts -- all love Barça. They reduced their salaries for the love of the club. All the players, new and old, understand the constraints. And they want to be artists who bring Barcelona back. They are aware they can be part of one of the most splendorous periods in the club's history.
CBS Sports: And morally, is it right to spend your newly-generated income on signings instead of deferred wages?
Laporta: I respect any opinion, but when people form this view they often don't have enough information to make such a statement. To me, the players we have signed this summer are investments not expenses. And our existing players understand this perfectly. The new signings adjust their salaries to the new structure that we have created and all we ask is the current squad, where possible, do the same.
People outside the club don't have all the information. We have to act this way or the club will probably disappear. We are not risking the club. On the contrary. I love Barcelona. So you can imagine, I don't take any decisions that risk the future of the club and our 122 years of history. It will be very difficult for anyone to damage the club with me as president because I am here to protect Barcelona. We have been so brave during difficult times and I know the fans believe in us. I feel the confidence and trust of the fans and what I want to do is bring back the splendorous times from my first period as president.
By Daz Go To PostOn Frenkie de JongIt's 100% extortion tactics lol
CBS Sports: You also need to resolve Frenkie de Jong's future. Will he stay at Barcelona?
Laporta: The first thing to say is we want Frenkie to stay at Barcelona. We love the player and him as a human being. I want him to stay at Barcelona. He's a high-quality player and a good guy. I also know that he wants to stay.
CBS Sports: How much of a headache has it been trying to get Frenkie to take a pay cut?
Laporta: All we are doing with Frenkie is the same as the rest of the squad. The signings coming in have adjusted their salary to the new structure. But Frenkie has a contract and we respect that. We can't force him to take a pay cut. It's his decision
We are trying to manage the football club in a prudent and sustainable way. So we have to have these talks and we do so in a calm and considered way. We have explained the situation and are grateful to any players who can help us. It was the same with Dembele and I am very grateful to him. And after months of talks, he accepted a renegotiation of his salary and he can be proud of his decision.
CBS Sports: What happens if Frenkie doesn't take a pay cut and just stays at Barcelona?
Laporta: Then he will continue. Has has a contract. We will respect that decision. For us, he's a Barcelona player. We count on him.
CBS Sports: Can you categorically confirm Frenkie won't join Manchester United?
Laporta: In football, you never know. I can't say categorically. It all depends on the different parties. But in principle, I can say there is a strong possibility he stays, and I can say as president I will do my best for him to stay at Barcelona.
CBS Sports: What is your response to Gary Neville, who says de Jong should take legal action?
Laporta: No answer. I respect his opinion. But in my opinion he's not right because I insist we are respecting all our players. We follow the contracts. If we invest in new players it's to make the club more competitive. It's a circle: You invest in new players, the fans engage and that in turn improves our economy. Gary has been a very good football player for Manchester United. I respect his opinion and that's all I have to say.
CBS Sports: What did you make of the Dutch players union chairman, Evgeniy Levchenko, who accused you of extortion tactics?
Laporta: There is no extortion being used on Frenkie or anyone else. I respect his opinion, but if talks between two parties counts as extortion then I think this guy is wrong.
CBS Sports: What makes you comfortable asking players to cut wages?
Laporta: The club has a payroll that's 40% higher than our competitors. We have to reduce this and it's not easy. But the players we are talking about – who have taken pay cuts – all love Barça. They reduced their salaries for the love of the club. All the players, new and old, understand the constraints. And they want to be artists who bring Barcelona back. They are aware they can be part of one of the most splendorous periods in the club's history.
CBS Sports: And morally, is it right to spend your newly-generated income on signings instead of deferred wages?
Laporta: I respect any opinion, but when people form this view they often don't have enough information to make such a statement. To me, the players we have signed this summer are investments not expenses. And our existing players understand this perfectly. The new signings adjust their salaries to the new structure that we have created and all we ask is the current squad, where possible, do the same.
People outside the club don't have all the information. We have to act this way or the club will probably disappear. We are not risking the club. On the contrary. I love Barcelona. So you can imagine, I don't take any decisions that risk the future of the club and our 122 years of history. It will be very difficult for anyone to damage the club with me as president because I am here to protect Barcelona. We have been so brave during difficult times and I know the fans believe in us. I feel the confidence and trust of the fans and what I want to do is bring back the splendorous times from my first period as president.
By bud Go To PostDon’t know him. Looks like he has been a regular for San Jose and Peru though so probably should do well in Eredivisie. MLS is probably a higher level than it in general. Comparable at worst.
@meier, what can you tell me about this lad?
By Cleff Go To PostSalzburg wants £50m for Sesko.This fella is getting a lot of press. Didn’t really produce the goals in his first season but high expectations now. I suspect if/when he is sold, it’ll be for a decent chunk. They’re counting on him being their new Haaland.
He'll go to Leipzig in two years for £15m.
"Manchester was my most difficult period,” he says. “I came in as manager and everything was disappointing. Most of the players on the squad were over 30. It’s unbelievable, I was at the richest club in the world and I could not buy the players I wanted.”💀
Van Gaal talks to Wayne Rooney on Zoom, who drops in casually that he’d never actually worked properly on tactics during his 10-year United career. “I saw you could actually improve us as a team. I’d never worked on team shape before at Manchester United. I’d never done it! I found it so strange,” Rooney says.
damning words on fergeh
By Meier Go To PostDon’t know him. Looks like he has been a regular for San Jose and Peru though so probably should do well in Eredivisie. MLS is probably a higher level than it in general. Comparable at worst.
Wait, you think the MLS is on the same level as the Eredivisie?
By Lego Go To PostMLS is Scottish Division 4 levelNo way, unless you meant Hyuandai A League
By Batong Go To Post💀how the fuck do you win title after title and never work on tactics
damning words on fergeh
By Meier Go To PostDon’t know him. Looks like he has been a regular for San Jose and Peru though so probably should do well in Eredivisie. MLS is probably a higher level than it in general. Comparable at worst.
sounds like we really want him.
also, doesn't look like bassett's going to make it... rip.
By bud Go To Postthe season's about to start, lads.You forgot the biggest one of all, the Emirates Cup.
today's supercup games:
liverpool v city
ajax v psv
leipzig v bayern
Seems the best choice out of the players we have, not sure many of them are traditional captains anyway.
By bud Go To Posthe really did.and less cosying up to fascists.
reminds me a lot of ozil, but has a bit more heart.
By Laboured Go To Post
wtf, out of nothing. Howe never seems to ply with a 10 so this is a real surprise, doubt it happens though if Leicester want closer to 60
By Willkiller Go To Postwtf, out of nothing. Howe never seems to ply with a 10 so this is a real surprise, doubt it happens though if Leicester want closer to 60
Will play on the right maybe. Who are your options out there, Fraser and Almiron?
City
Liverpool
Tottenham
Arsenal
ManUnited
Chelsea*
*(5th if tuchel is fired before December, otherwise 6th)
Liverpool
Tottenham
Arsenal
ManUnited
Chelsea*
*(5th if tuchel is fired before December, otherwise 6th)
By LFMartins86 Go To PostPartey starts for Arsenal.Less que en club.
Fucking teams all over the shop showing their arses regarding sexual assault. Extremely disappointed in spurs, arsenal and everyone else
By Cleff Go To Postholy shit
laporta really took the I respect his opinion thing to the next level
he ruined it
I can not longer tell the people I respect their opinion
he ruined it
I can not longer tell the people I respect their opinion
By Shanks D Zoro Go To PostAnyone got a link?Sent m8
DM pls.
Yeah probably not a good idea to just pass the ball to Saka in the area Sevilla, you might want to work on that before the start of the season.
By Plasma Go To PostSo nice having somebody upfront who doesn't just stand around on the half way line.Always been a fan of Jesus. Great on the ball, always looks to involve team mates and keeps moving when off the ball. Just have my doubts about him scoring a lot but so far in preseason he's done very well on that front.