"Variables" remind me of Barca sending Liverpool €10m because Coutinho was an unused sub when Bayern one the Champions League.

Posted on August 18, 2026 at 02:33:13 PM by Arctic (edited August 18, 2026 at 02:35:39 PM)

Mourinho doesn't really use Rodri style controlling midfielders, he uses killers that break up the game, he will probably be happy with Tchouameni and Velverde. I can't see Madrid providing any challenge to Barca this season though.

Even 60 million for a fit 30 year old in the last year of his deal is excessive.

That said, Madrid spent €120m on a player with one good season playing in a league that made mediocrities like Kolo Muani and Xavier Simmons look like stars

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Thread:

Barca spending €76.5m on a 30 year old who can't stay fit (played 41 out of 121 total matches the last two seasons) and was in the last year of his contract seems crazy - By Arctic August 18, 2026 at 02:14:09 PM
- Because he is a Ballon d'Or winner and the best player in the world at possibly the most important position? - By GritsGoBlue August 18, 2026 at 02:22:04 PM
  - "Variables" remind me of Barca sending Liverpool €10m because Coutinho was an unused sub when Bayern one the Champions League. - By Arctic August 18, 2026 at 02:33:13 PM
    - PSG just paid 50M for a striker who was going into the last year of his deal and has not been a starter since he was at Valencia. - By GritsGoBlue August 18, 2026 at 02:53:42 PM
      - Leipzig is offering 60 million for a player with one year experience in the Bundesliga and that only started 1/3 of the games last year - By Adamantiumblue August 18, 2026 at 04:27:07 PM
      - PSG may have been doing a favor to Luis Enrique's agent with that one. Either way, Barca would have collected at least £5 more for him if not for variables in the previous deal with City - By Arctic August 18, 2026 at 03:06:11 PM
    - Real Madrid really wanted Rodri, they were heartbroken to lose out. (m) - By suede August 18, 2026 at 02:40:39 PM
      - Florentino is getting senile and Madrid have been poorly run for a few years. Them wanting a player doesn't confer any more value or quality than Todd Boehly wanting a player these days - By Arctic August 18, 2026 at 02:48:25 PM
        
        Barca's season begins with the first match against Atleti or Real Madrid. - By GritsGoBlue August 18, 2026 at 02:56:12 PM
        
        The longer the La Liga sides hyper focus on each other then further the Premier League sails off into the distance* - By Arctic August 18, 2026 at 03:27:52 PM
        
        It's generally helpful to focus on both the league and Europe. - By GritsGoBlue August 18, 2026 at 04:05:15 PM
        
        Nah, it's not Ligue 1. Rodri will have to play two-thirds of La Liga matches. (nm) - By suede August 18, 2026 at 02:53:03 PM
- ACL injuries are not chronic. By all accounts, he's a consummate professional whose recovery was managed for the long term. Looked great the end of the Prem season and was exceptional at the World Cup. Coming into a league context where he can be rested (not as much as PSG rests its first XI).* - By suede August 18, 2026 at 02:17:41 PM
  - Fleeing City like Bernardo. * - By crumbs August 18, 2026 at 02:20:42 PM
    - Just more proof that Barça has aura that other clubs cannot dream of. (nm) - By suede August 18, 2026 at 02:22:19 PM
      - ES UN SUENO!!! - By GritsGoBlue August 18, 2026 at 02:25:03 PM
        
        Even learned the language. Legend * - By crumbs August 18, 2026 at 02:32:52 PM

The Victors

"Variables" remind me of Barca sending Liverpool €10m because Coutinho was an unused sub when Bayern one the Champions League.