AjanleKoko: ^^
You feel better with Thiago gone, and a 33-year old Xavi with no competition?

Okay oh. This is football sha.

logica: I actually feel better with Thiago gone. He had his chances and blew them. Some will claim he was match rusty from sitting on the bench, but they seem to forget the story of Pique.

It may be too long ago for some to remember, but Pique should have been match rusty from sitting on the bench waiting on Raphael Marquez. Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for Rafa) Rafa got injured and Pique stepped in. And Rafa could not even get back into the team when he got fit. He was completely displaced.

That was the similar event I expected when ever Xavi got injured in a season marred by several spells of long layoffs. Thiago's performance always had everybody anticipating the quick recovery and return of Xavi. In Pique's case, he made the management completely forget about the existence of Rafa.

logica: I actually feel better with Thiago gone. He had his chances and blew them. Some will claim he was match rusty from sitting on the bench, but they seem to forget the story of Pique.

It may be too long ago for some to remember, but Pique should have been match rusty from sitting on the bench waiting on Raphael Marquez. Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for Rafa) Rafa got injured and Pique stepped in. And Rafa could not even get back into the team when he got fit. He was completely displaced.

That was the similar event I expected when ever Xavi got injured in a season marred by several spells of long layoffs. Thiago's performance always had everybody anticipating the quick recovery and return of Xavi. In Pique's case, he made the management completely forget about the existence of Rafa.

A-40:

Come on are you comparing Rafael Marquez to Xavi? Now I'm not saying Rafael Marquez is a horrible player but we are talking about replacing one of the all-time greats at his position here.

Johnpaul88: Liga start Barcelona: Levante
(home), Malaga (away), Valencia
(a), Sevilla (h), Rayo (a), Real
Sociedad (h), Almeria (a),
Valladolid (h)

El classico comes up in the last week of October in Barcelona while the return leg takes place in March next year. Curtain draws to Barca's season when they play host to Villa's Atletico.

I wish Barca good luck with the new season.

dayokanu: Thanks for the gift - FCBayern

dayokanu: Thanks for the gift - FCBayern

Johnpaul88: World cup squad 2014? Isco and Illaremandi of Real Madrid have bigger chance of making it than him.

Johnpaul88: I'm glad he's gone now.

I believe that those who wish to play for Barca must have their heart and mind set to it. I don't think Thiago had such. At his promotion back in 2011, he confirmed that his wish is to succeed in Football not in Barcelona. So this 's hardly a surprise to me.

And to make matter worse, I think the club wanted to sell him, hence the reason why they made sure he never played up to the required number of games stated in his contract for him to stay. Not minding that he missed 13 games thru injury, they could still have played him up to 37 games or 61% if he was so important to them. But they never shifted a finger to try to stop his transfer. That must be very frustrating to him since he now sees himself as the best there is, afterall he scored hatrick in the final of u 21. He's now bigger than Fc Barcelona.

He became desperate to leave and even waived €4M to Barcelona to make sure the transfer does not fell through. He'll gladly accept the bench of Bayern (he's destined there any way) than to stay where he feels he's not wanted.

On the other side, I think this will offer a good chance for Sergio Roberto to show us that he's the real Xavi successor. He must be licking his lips when this transfer was announced yesterday. I think he's the biggest winner in this deal. Barcelona's the second biggest winner because they'll use this much needed €25M to facilitate the transfer of a defender they have so much desired.

Thiago remains the undisputed loser here because he'll only disrupt the harmony in the dressing room at the Allianz Arena, when others see him as the coach's boy and one who plays yet adds nothing new to the team. He would have been better off in Manu where they'll worship him as the one who learned the ropes at the feet of the famous Midfield meastros, Iniesta and Xavi.

This move has only one ending for him, and it's not a happy one.

Alaba_Slim:

Shey u be GOD?

Johnpaul88: I'm glad he's gone now.

I believe that those who wish to play for Barca must have their heart and mind set to it. I don't think Thiago had such. At his promotion back in 2011, he confirmed that his wish is to succeed in Football not in Barcelona. So this 's hardly a surprise to me.

And to make matter worse, I think the club wanted to sell him, hence the reason why they made sure he never played up to the required number of games stated in his contract for him to stay.

Johnpaul88:
On the other side, I think this will offer a good chance for Sergio Roberto to show us that he's the real Xavi successor. He must be licking his lips when this transfer was announced yesterday. I think he's the biggest winner in this deal. Barcelona's the second biggest winner because they'll use this much needed €25M to facilitate the transfer of a defender they have so much desired.

Johnpaul88: World cup squad 2014? Isco and Illaremandi of Real Madrid have bigger chance of making it than him.

AjanleKoko:

Dem for even try collect one ageing defender off Bayern's hands.
Now they will take the 25m and go buy some midfielder

A-40:

It seems you guys are doing some form of yard sale! First Villa now Alcantara! Something is definitely wrong in this Rosell era I'm sure the potshots he took at Pep also had a hand in fast tracking this deal

logica:
And speaking of competition, except you disregard Fabregas, Xavi does have competition already.

AjanleKoko:

I tire



Fabregas is next. Man United just put in a bid of £25m.

Johnpaul88: My views stand, no matter what y' all say.

I blame not the club but Thiago who didn't play well enough to deserve more playing time and who on top of that is cocky.

biolabee:

its always october march
that march can be crucial in the ucl phase

Johnpaul88: My views stand, no matter what y' all say.

I blame not the club but Thiago who didn't play well enough to deserve more playing time and who on top of that is cocky.

AjanleKoko:

Dem for even try collect one ageing defender off Bayern's hands.
Now they will take the 25m and go buy some midfielder

logica: Lol. Which gift? The Greek Gift? He will surely cost you guys a few cheap conceded goals.

Johnpaul88: World cup squad 2014? Isco and Illaremandi of Real Madrid have bigger chance of making it than him.

AjanleKoko:

I don't blame you for your views either. No offence, but na small pickin eye you dey take look am. You haven't followed football clubs long enough, frankly speaking. The golden era of Spain and Barca is all you know, and that's why you think anybody who turns down Barca can't be successful. That's where I'll leave it.

AjanleKoko:

I don't blame you for your views either. No offence, but na small pickin eye you dey take look am. You haven't followed football clubs long enough, frankly speaking. The golden era of Spain and Barca is all you know, and that's why you think anybody who turns down Barca can't be successful. That's where I'll leave it.