Barcelona

I wasn't a fan of this signing but he has brought good energy and physicality to Barca so far. It's still a further step away tiki taka though and I wonder will he make the differences in the big games against the likes of Atleti and Real  

Although Catalonia has enjoyed more autonomy recently than in the days of General Franco's dictatorship, when the Catalan language and cultural traditions were heavily suppressed, the club's role has not changed and Barca are effectively perceived within the region as a national team for a stateless people.

So when the Catalan government declared a referendum on independence - ruled illegal by the Spanish government - Barca were inevitably going to play a central role in the drama, especially when La Liga strangely scheduled their home game with Las Palmas on the same day as the vote.

 

And if Catalonia ever did gain full independance would Barcelona, standard bearers of Catalan nationalism, play in a new Catalan national league?  Would they buggery.  They want to remain in La Liga.  And on being told by the Spanish FA that Barca would not stay in La Liga if Catalnoia breaks away, are actually floating the idea of playing in the Premier League instead:-

 

 

Good article by a friend in Catalonia this week about FCB's links with Ireland and the time former Lord Mayor of Cork Terence McSwiney was honoured by the club.

 

Today they march in Catalonia remembering their former President Lluis Companys executed in a Madrid jail on Oct 15th 1940.

 

'Refusing to wear a blindfold, he was taken before a firing squad of Civil Guards barefoot and, as they fired, he cried 'Per Catalunya!' (For Catalonia!).^['

 

Reports saying Barca gonna try and sign Philippe Coutinho in January for £133m!