Before you read about five stories currently dealing with French players formerly or presently connected to FC Barcelona, check out the latest edition of The Barcelona Podcast for a full list of every French player to suit up for the Blaugrana at:
There may be both hyperbole and unrelenting optimism oozing from this piece about the diligence of Eric Abidal on his cell phone, but the key here is that Barcelona’s transfer window has been a success so far, at least on paper. Part two of the window will need to be an exodus of players that could bring in a nice bit of change and aren’t a part of the club’s future. The paradox of getting the correct market value for said players while other teams know that Barcelona are actively trying to move them makes their sale easier said than done.
With the signing of another winger, Dembele is again having his name batted around as a player whose spot in the team is in question. It is no secret that the Spanish media as a whole have a bad reputation of sensationalizing stories surrounding the young Frenchman, but it’s a wonder if other teams are now making phone calls for the starlet in the case that there is some truth to the negative buzz.
Unlike Andre Gomes, Paco Alcacer and the rest of the players brought to Barcelona in 2016, Lucas Digne has been at the center of transfer rumors all summer long, with Everton being the latest suitor. It’s been reported that both Yerry Mina and Digne could be heading to Merryside and the apparent trust in youth at left-back could give this plausibility. If Marc Cucurella is seen as good enough to back up Jordi Alba until Juan Miranda is first team material, expect the board to cash in on the Frenchman while they can.
Malcom not the first talent from Ligue 1
While Ligue 1 doesn’t have the profile of the Bundesliga, Serie A or obviously the Premiere League, Barcelona have historically had some success with transfers from France. The man before Malcom to make the jump was Samuel Umtiti, not too shabby, and the rest of the list does include some important Champions League winners.
Thierry Henry: Aston Villa manager?
In the last month, Thierry Henry helped guide Belgium to a third place finish at the World Cup, stepped down from his role as a pundit with Sky Sports and made public his intentions to become a manager. If the British tabloids are ever to be believed, Henry was close to making a move to Birmingham.
