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Sandman40

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    Philippe Coutinho

    in FF - Football Forum

    Posted

     

    Coutinho to be sold after Barcelona's UCL horror show, Valverde fate uncertain - sources

    pl/

    1:13
     
     
    int_190508_fc_barcelona_exodus_for_site_1.jpg
     
     
     
    8 May, 2019
    • Moises Llorens
    • Sam Marsden

    Philippe Coutinho is "not a Barcelona player" and will be the first casualty of their shambolic Champions League exit to Liverpool, while the board are set to meet to decide coach Ernesto Valverde's fate, sources have told ESPN FC.

    Sources also confirmed that a number of the coaching staff are disappointed with Coutinho's performances this season. The Brazilian is the club's record signing at €160 million but his displays against his former side across both legs of the semifinal strengthened the idea that his time at Camp Nou is up

    "Coutinho is not a Barcelona player, that's been made clear," a club source told ESPN FC.

    The ex-Liverpool playmaker started the season well but his form and confidence have fallen off a cliff since an injury in October. He's been unable to re-find his best form since and the source bemoaned that "he has added nothing. He will leave in the summer."

    ESPN FC first revealed in March that Barcelona were ready to listen to offers north of €105m for Coutinho and his performances against Liverpool have done nothing to change their plans. He was taken off before the hour mark in both matches, jeered by Barca fans last week and Liverpool supporters on Tuesday. The Catalan club made a huge effort to sign him but there's now an acknowledgment that things have not worked out.

    While the reaction in the heat of the moment has seen Coutinho singled out inside the club, the board, headed by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, will try to deal with the fallout from the Liverpool loss in the coming days in a more cool-headed manner.

     

    Diario Sport called the 4-0 defeat the "biggest embarrassment" in the club's history and Bartomeu says there will be time to reflect on how they recover from a second successive European humiliation. They also surrendered a three-goal lead against Roma last year.

    "There will be time for a deep reflection and to give explanations," he said after the game. "There's a Copa del Rey final to play in three weeks [against Valencia on May 25].

    "Last year, in Rome, the same thing happened and it's not easy to explain. We will try to do so internally. We have to pick ourselves up and apologise to all the Barcelona supporters."

     

    The board will talk in the coming days and Valverde's future will be up for debate. The former Athletic Bilbao boss has won back-to-back league titles but those who are most critical of him at the club point to the fact this is the second time in a year that Barcelona have chucked away a huge advantage.

    However, as suggested by Bartomeu, the board do not want to rush into making a decision. But there will be talks to see if they can respond to a question which they still don't have an obvious answer: who could replace Valverde?

    There are not many options available who would be capable of leading the required regeneration. Barcelona's starting XI at Anfield included seven players aged 30 or over.

    "We have to see how Valverde deals with this tricky situation," a club source said on Wednesday. "The fans are really upset and disappointed with what happened and on Sunday there's a league game against Getafe. It will be interesting to see how the supporters react."

    *Shakes head* Everton again.

    in FF - Football Forum

    Posted

    BBC article showing that Everton is top.

     

    Swansea City charging mascots Premier League prices

    By Matt LloydBBC Wales
    Swansea City mascots in dug-outImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image captionSwansea City charge up to £478 for a match-day mascot experience

    Swansea City may play in football's second tier but they are charging parents Premier League prices for children to be mascots.

    It costs up to £478 for a match-day mascot "package" at the Championship club, research by BBC Wales found. 

    Only three teams in the Premier League charge more, while the experience is free at most of the top clubs. Cardiff City charge £255.

    Swansea City said prices were reduced this year following relegation.

    Consumer groups have branded the higher prices as "outrageous".

    For many youngsters, the chance to walk out onto the pitch with their football heroes is a dream come true.

    Indeed many clubs tell parents the package is the "ultimate gift your child will never forget".

    Mascots at Cardiff City v Wolves in Premier LeagueImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image captionMany clubs sell the experience as "once in a lifetime"

    Yet while many of the biggest clubs in the country, including Premier League champions Manchester City, do not charge for the opportunity, others are cashing in more than £700 per child.

    Most packages include full kit, match tickets, photographs and autographs as well as walking onto the pitch before kick-off.

    But a £270 deal at Fulham does not include kit while a £185 package at Bournemouth does not come with a ticket to the game. 

     
     

    Martyn James, of consumer website Resolver, said: "It's absolutely outrageous that some richer kids can effectively buy their way to the top of the mascot list. 

    "When I was younger, being a mascot was a reward for super loyalty or for having been through a great deal. 

    "Charging any money for these packages is unacceptable - and it's pretty unknown too. 

    "It makes a mockery of all the things that our national game is supposed to represent."

    Supporters on fan forums have slammed the prices as "unfair" and "scandalous".

    Swansea City said the "truly once in a lifetime experience" includes four hospitality places, a meal and half-time penalty competition on the pitch.

    A spokesman added: "We've reduced prices this year following relegation, from £450 plus VAT to £399 plus VAT for weekend, and £349 plus VAT for weekday matches.

    "We also give one space free to charity every match and this was brought in this season."

    Swansea City mascot with playerImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image captionSwansea City give one free mascot place to charities and good causes each game

    Mascots at the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are picked at random from their junior fan club and are free.

    Cardiff City offer the chance for children aged between four and 10 to turn "dream into reality" for £255 and have sold out for many of their most popular home fixtures.

    Claire Blake, of Penarth, arranged for her eight-year-old son Cian to be a mascot before the Bluebirds' game against champions Manchester City as a birthday gift in September.

    "We were lucky to get such a big game but I'm not sure we would be happy paying the same amount for games against other teams," she said.

    "Cian got a kit, signed photos and met Neil Warnock and had a great time, but the seats were poor and it was a bit rushed meeting the players."

    Cian BlakeImage copyrightFAMILY PHOTO Image captionCian Blake had "a great time" as a Cardiff City mascot this season

    Season-ticket holder Tracy Morgan paid for her eight-year-old son Leo to be a mascot.

    She said: "It was very expensive but it was worth every penny to see my son's face - and my husband's."

    Ryan Moore bought a mascot package as a Christmas gift for his six-year-old son Niall.

    He said: "It's free for some big clubs like Liverpool but a money-making scheme at others and there are so many mascots that it dilutes the experience.

    "But we were pretty happy with the whole day. Niall loved it - apart from the team being hammered 4-1."

    Line

    Premier League mascot prices

    Everton £718

    West Ham United £700

    Leicester City £600

    Tottenham Hotspur £405

    Wolves £395

    Crystal Palace £375

    Brighton £350

    Burnley £300

    Fulham £270

    Cardiff City £255

    Watford £250

    Bournemouth £185

    Free: Arsenal, Chelsea, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Newcastle United and Southampton. 

    Line

    Clubs have been urged to find a "good deal" for fans.

    The Football Supporters' Federation said: "Clubs should speak to their supporters about what they think represents a good deal for parents and if fans have specific concerns, we'd be happy to look into it.

    "Our campaign focus will primarily remain on affordable ticket prices - particularly fair concessionary and fair young adult prices."

    Cardiff City mascots in the dug-out

     

    *Shakes head* Everton again.

    in FF - Football Forum

    Posted

    Breaking: Everton are close to signing Richarlison from Watford in a transfer which could be worth up to £50million. #EFC

     

    Fucking hell I Slag Markovic off last night and 2 minutes later he scores. Then I laugh at the Blueshite for being skint now this.

     

    Liverpool are useless twats and I bet we will never buy Mbappé next season.

     

    Wow.  You are amazing.

     

    First-year Liverpool player Fabinho has joked that he will "try slowly to convince" former Monaco teammate Kylian Mbappe to swap Paris for Merseyside.

    Fabinho, 24, and Mbappe both played for Monaco before the former signed for Liverpool and the latter moved to Paris Saint-Germain.

    And the Brazilian told reporters about the newly minted World Cup winner with France: "Kylian Mbappe sent me a text message congratulating me for coming to Liverpool.

    "Unfortunately I have not had a chance to congratulate him for what he did during this World Cup.

    "What France did was fantastic. What Mbappe did in two years of professional football is amazing. He is a phenomenon and needs to be congratulated, and as soon as I have the chance I will.

    "He has already said for this season he will remain at PSG, but I will try slowly to convince him to come over."

    Fabinho is joined at Anfield this season by fellow newcomers Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri and goalkeeper Allison, who completed his move to Liverpool on Thursday in a record deal for a goalkeeper.

    Liverpool finished the previous campaign in fourth place, 25 points adrift of winner Manchester City, but Fabinho believes the new additions can help Jurgen Klopp's team push for the title in 2018-19.

    "I believe so," he said. "I believe we have a very good team and we will be able to fight for the title.

    "I understand we have excellent players. We have an excellent manager. I understand also that City are the champions and last season they produced excellent football.

    "We will do our best to get the title from them and make everyone happy here."

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