Bit wary of the Hleb signing...hopefully he can prove me wrong.

Nic....you sound extremely tired...get some sleep mate!! oh and yeah...Macs are just weird to work with after being around windows

Glad to see you're checking in even on holiday, just FYI: for macs, all commands are used with the apple key (pic of the apple logo on it). So to copy, instead of 'ctrl + c' its 'apple + c' and so forth

Nevermind. it's a good news Alex was coming to Camp Nou to replace Ronnie. But nic you should have a well rest enjoy holiday in your hometown

Alex Hleb is in the Camp Nou and will sign a 3-years contract, A new era begin. I hope he will give versatility to Pep. Can't wait to see him play for barca

Hleb... Good Sign... Just hope that he matches Ronaldinho...

Very good guy... I have good hopes for him..

I'm not too excited about Hleb signing. But he gives several options to Pep. Is he a midfielder or a winger?

You are more than welcome to Hleb. Cheers for the cash!

LOL I like how you wrote "Barsa" lol, but oh yeah I'm an Apple fan, just bring me that Mac and I will send you a PC with crappy windows.

I salute the signing of Alexander Hleb and can't wait to see him in action in Barca shirt. At Arsenal he played as an offensive midfielder, but was also used as side midfielder in 4-4-2 formation, though I seriously doubt Guardiola will play that way. Hleb is very skillful and agile, with great passing technique and lovely dribbling abilities. IMO he was one of the best Arsenal players during last 2 seasons. Maybe even the best (with Fabregas ofc) during last season campaign. His performances at Arsenal were stunning at times and I'm sure he will continue at same (hope even better) level at Barca. I'm not concerned by his lack of goals at Arsenal, they play different football there. He was used more often to stop counter attacks and keep the ball away from opposition. At Barca he should have more space to play with the ball. The wider formation and the three midfielder setup could really help Hleb to demonstrate his creativity and dribbling skills. That is if Guardiola uses him in Ronnie's position, ofc. But can he really replace Ronnie? I don't even won't to go there! But, I believe Hleb is not here to replace Ronnie. If Barca continues to play using the same formation and tactics, Hleb could be the perfect replacement (in time) for Deco. He's a hard-working player who goes back to help the defense if needed, just like Deco used to do 2 or 3 yrs ago (he was a complete midfielder back than). So if Iniesta was used in Ronnie's position (which I believe he can do very well), than Hleb could take over Deco's assignments. So, that leaves one of 2 midfielders without a place in starting 11. Toure or Keita? I believe Toure is better as defensive midfielder, so he should take that position. Keita can probably play in Deco's position, too. Ofc, that's all theory, we'll have to wait and see what Guardiola thinks about it. To conclude this, Barca got a very hard-working and versatile player in Alexander Hleb and I'm sure he will adopt to the system perfectly.

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Who would you prefer??? I wish we sign Villa!!!

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We'd get revenge for the Figo incident!!!

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What is this bullshit, I hope it's not true!!!

I still want Arshavin...He is much better than Hleb, and he really loves Barcaaa....

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Hey Nic,

As well as using the apple button for you copy and paste functions, you use the alt/option button to the left of it with c to make a ç (alt + c = ç).

i dont think hleb is a bad signing, BUT, i dont think he is enough to fill the attacking gap i see in midfield. he is versatile and dribbles like a magician but i dont see him being a big enough impact player. its not a bad signing at all but we need a diego. i really really feel that

I read about Pep now look forward to buy Berbatov instead of Adebayor. I really hope this guy would be our player for the next season. Great idea to have Messi-Henry/Berbatov-Hleb up front. Barca should be more aggressive to get him-maybe more money is need. What about Arshavin?

Can someone tell me what the hell is Eto'o doing !!!!!

I believe there are 2 best central forwards in the world of football today: 'El Nino' Torres & Ibrahimovic. I would love to see one of them in Barca shirt one day, but don't think it would happen soon. They are too expensive. And they are irreplaceable to their managers. Not as good as them but still very good are Drogba, Villa (too short for CF IMO) and ofc Berbatov. Though I have a very high opinion of that guy, I'm not so delighted to see that Barca is prepared to bring him to the club. I admit he's a great player with great technical skills and powerful shot and IMO one of the most underrated attackers today. But who would play in that central forward position if he comes to Barca? Him? What would happen to Henry then? I don't think he's good on left wide position where Ronnie used to play (he proved that last season). Bringing Henry to the club to play on left side was a mistake from the beginning. That's why Eto'o or Henry must go. Guardiola chose to keep Henry. Ok, but than we don't need another CF (especially knowing there is also Bojan competing for that place). Instead, a player who is faster and used to play on the wing should be brought in. That's why I was thrilled at the indications of Robinho's signing. That kid is world-class player (perfect for that left wide position), but Madrid don't know it yet :-p I would love to see him team up with Messi and Henry in attack. The three of them could in short time become the best attacking trio in the world. If C.Ronaldo comes to Madrid then it could happen. Arguably the best player in the world (most overrated one if you ask me) showed nothing against Barca last season. On the other side Robinho was proclaimed as Pele's successor even before he came to Madrid. By Pele himself. He would be a great signing for Barca and could even prove that Pele was right I'm glad the board didn't pursue Adebayor's signing. Way too overrated player and I read they were prepared to give 10M €+Eto'o for that guy ?????

Mes_Que_Un_Club
You are a smart guy i think Barca needs a guy like Robinho, but can Messi and Robinho really play together? they are a bit selfish sometimes, both has speed and so on, i do think BARCA needs a strong midfeilder someone similar to Marcus Sena, but he is too old for BARCA now, knowing BARCA is on the rebuilding. But Robinho would be nice, but sometimes too much stars affect the team management

I've just read this post and all your comments and I'm really amazed! With Laporta and Begiristain at the helm, this ship is bound to sink no matter who we sign or what Guardiola does. Keep dreamin' on "pasillos", kids!

Didn't Barcelona win two Ligas and the Champions League with Laporta at the helm?

Barca won two Liga and CL with Laporta because they had the greatest player on earth at that moment, Laporta did nothing for Barca, he wasn't even the one who brought Ronnie there

I hope Barca wins something this year, if they don't win a trophy i wonder who would be to blame?

Thanks for your comment, Liga. I do however hope Laporta shared my opinion of Robinho. I know he is R.Madrid's player and there is that awkward agreement between Barca and Madrid not taking each others players, but what about Figo, not a long time ago? Or Luis Enrique even before that? The man came from Madrid and become a favorite of Barca fans fast. And he IS Barca Athletic coach now! I hope there is still enough place for at least one Madrid's player. And I believe it should be Robinho, IMO one of the best forwards in the world at this moment. Why couldn't he play with Messi? Yes, he can be a little selfish at times, but aren't all great players like that? Just remember Rivaldo. One of the most selfish players I ever saw. But it didn't stop him from being one of the greatest. I believe Robinho could be trained to be more of a team player, he's still young (24, I believe), so he has still a lot to learn. And I'm absolutely certain if he stays at Madrid, he'll become the biggest threat for Barca goal, maybe even in the coming season. That's why Barca should bring him to Camp Neu whatever the cost. Laporta wants to bring in a big name and he obviously doesn't mind the amount of money spent. I believe Robinho is the answer. He's already a complete forward with enormous talent plus still young and ready to learn. Besides him, I don't see a lot of players for that role, probably only Silva (VAL) and Diego(WER). Or maybe Arshavin, but is he just a one-season-wonder?
As for a strong midfielder mentioned above, I believe Keita and Toure will do the job just fine.
I agree with Liga about Laporta not bringing anything to the club. He only brought in Eto'o who had his great moments, but in the end was one of the key reasons for crisis in the team. He must go because he has a bad influence on the team.
Barcel, I think the man to blame if Barca don't win anything next season would be Guardiola. He IS the head coach and therefore always responsible for the team.

If however Barca decides to bring another central forward, e.g. Villa or Berbatov, I'm sure Henry would lose his place. Iniesta would probably play in Ronnie's position. Formation would then look something like this:

....................................................Valdes.....................................................

.........................Caceres(Marquez)......................Puyol...............................
Alves.................................................................................................Abidal

.......................................Toure(Marquez,Keita).........................................

........................Xavi...................................................................................
..........................................................................Hleb (Iniesta,Keita)..........

.......Messi...........................................................................Iniesta(Henry)
..............................Villa? (Berbatov?, Henry, Bojan).................................

As you can see, at least 2 players can't play in the first team. Henry is not good as LF(LW) so he could loose place easily. If he however goes to CF then there won't be space for new CF (Villa or Berba). The other over-crowded position is LCM (Deco's position). I am a little bit confused on what Keita's role will be, as I don't know much of the player. I guess he will be playing somewhere in midfield, maybe as Toure's replacement, until he is fully recovered. Toure had a slip-disc injury and is still recovering I believe. But if Keita plays at Deco's position then Hleb would have to go to Ronnie's. I'm not sure that would be a good move. And Iniesta would lose his place in the first team then. So, Keita could be surplus, too. As for Milito, I didn't mention him 'cause I believe he's still injured and it will take a lot of time for him to fully recover. He is out until end of the year I think. I hope he recovers well.

It seems like I mad a mistake when I made that formation, so it has like 12 instead of 10 outfield players Sorry about that, everyone. It should have looked like this:

...................................................Valdes....................................................

.........................Caceres(Marquez)......................Puyol.............................
Alves..............................................................................................Abidal

.......................................Toure(Marquez,Keita)......................................

........................Xavi................................................................................
.........................................................................Hleb (Iniesta,Keita)........

.......Messi........................................................................Iniesta(Henry)
..............................Villa? (Berbatov?, Henry, Bojan)...............................


Hope it turns out good this time

S...., F..., WHY ISN'T IT WORKING???

OK, ONE LAST TIME

...................................................Valdes....................................................

.........................Caceres(Marquez)......................Puyol.............................
Alves..............................................................................................Abidal

.......................................Toure(Marquez,Keita)......................................

........................Xavi.................................................................................
.....................................................................Hleb(Iniesta,Keita).............

.....Messi..........................................................................Iniesta(Henry)
.............................Villa? (Berbatov?, Henry, Bojan)...............................


I believe i did it FINALLY!

no, i think pique is going to start, every1 is underestimating him, hes better than ppl think he is

errrr................... guess not! Sorry guys, but I really really have to do it one more time. Don't be mad, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaseeeee!

hmmmmmmmm, ok here goes

..................................................Valdes....................................................

.........................Caceres(Marquez)......................Puyol.............................
Alves..............................................................................................Abidal

.......................................Toure(Marquez,Keita)......................................

........................Xavi.................................................................................
.....................................................................Hleb(Iniesta,Keita).............

.....Messi..........................................................................Iniesta(Henry)
..............................Villa? (Berbatov?, Henry, Bojan)..............................


I'm sure this is it! And this is not what I would like Barca to look like next season. But probably will!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGHRGHGRGHGRHGGRGRRRRR
I GIVE UP!

Don't give up "Mes_..." i believe Barca will win at least one trophy next season. what we need is trust on Pep and we as fans must be positive that we will have a stronger team than the last season.

I think Mes_Que_Un_Club is right about Robinho. He did a lot for Madrid last season and I actually think it's a mistake for Madrid to even consider letting him go especially for Cronaldo. If Barca can land him I think it will be a good season. I'm still not convinced about the team as it is now and whether they will do well this season in terms of hardware. A lot of the responsibility will be placed on Messi and Henry. I actually think it will be Messi's best season and he will probably win some big awards. If Madrid keeps Robinho and land Van der vaart which I have been reading then it's over. I think Madrid's got another title.