He couldn't sign a contract yet by law. I've posted this in the Arsenal thread but this thread is on the subject.
Sandro Rosell is a grade A cunt. Barcelona are classless.
The phrase ‘football is a business’ is almost beyond cliché in modern times. The link between football and money is as strong as ever, but one part of the game that was previously shielded from a business mentality, was youth development. Not any more.
This week it was announced that Arsenal had agreed to sign 16-year-old Jon Miquel Toral Harper from Barcelona. The Gunners took advantage of employment laws in Spain to offer the player a contract before the Catalan club were legally allowed to. It stirred more bad blood between the two clubs, which began with deals for Cesc Fàbregas in 2003 and Fran Mérida in 2005.
This particular transfer didn’t anger Barça as much as others suggest, though. The player himself asked to leave last year and previously admitted it was his ‘dream’ to play in England. However, it once again raised the question of youth transfers.
President Sandro Rosell was asked for his view, and made valid points on the morality of such deals. He then made the following statement.
“There are two philosophies; ours is to invest in La Masia and the other is to fish all over Europe for kids like Arsenal.”
The point is an interesting one, but the distinction between whether the comment is a negative or a positive comes with the understanding of the word ‘invest’. Rosell says the opposite of Barça’s philosophy is to sign kids from all of Europe.
So why would his club do deals for for Besiktas’ 12-year-old Muhammad Demirci and 7-year-old Lyon kid Kais. Not to mention hand trials to 8-year-old Finnish starlet Oliver Antman, or 9-year-old Canadian Giancarlo Patina? Those are just some examples. A glance at the Cadete A side, which Toral played for, shows 7 non-EU players and the Cadete B side shows 9 non-EU players.
That’s not to mention Lionel Messi or Thiago Alcântara, both signed from South American countries at tender ages and now both part of the Barcelona first team.
You could argue that those are very young players, and the real bone of contention is trying to ‘fish’ for older youngsters. Those who have been developed by the club for a number of years. 16 or 17 year olds for example. Rosell agrees.
“We don’t like it that clubs come in with offers of money just before they turn 16. For us it’s very important to keep this group of kids who have grown up together.”
Then why did Barcelona approach 17-year-old Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke last season? Both had been scouted playing for England and the Catalan club made moves via their agents, offering them a move to Spain.
Rosell says he doesn’t like clubs who offer money to those around 16, as its important to keep groups of kids together. Yet Barcelona did exactly that. Does that mean he doesn’t like his own club?
It seems the term ‘investment’ and ‘fishing for kids’ can mean two totally different things, depending on your argument. Yet if one club is at fault, then every club is at fault.
The laws regarding the signing of youth players without doubt need to be tightened up, but the hypocrisy Barcelona show on the matter is frightening.
Sandro Rosell is a grade A cunt. Barcelona are classless.
Last edited by Mal on Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:08 am; edited 1 time in total
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