Koeman request
Barcelona have managed to overcome their early-season bumps and they are now firmly in the title race.
Manager Ronald Koeman has done an excellent job at the Spanish club so far and the Dutchman has put forward a crucial request to the newly-appointed club president Joan Laporta which will help the club stay focused on the remaining matches and win some silverware.
According to reports, Barcelona will be looking to offload their fringe players in the summer and lighten their wage bill.
However, Koeman wants these arrangements to be discreet so that the players do not find out they’re going to be sold off in the summer.
It could affect the player’s mentality if they find out that they are not going to be at the club next season and therefore Koeman has urged the club hierarchy to put contract talks and transfer negotiations on hold for now.
Dembele’s upturn in form
Furthermore the resurgence of Ousmane Dembele in recent months has been a major talking point for Barcelona.
The French winger arrived at Camp Nou with massive expectations and his career was initially plagued with injuries.
The former Borussia Dortmund winger was unable to showcase his world-class potential at the start but he’s slowly getting back to his best and he has been a key player for Barcelona in recent weeks.
What was once deemed as a transfer mistake is starting to look like a masterstroke now.
It will be interesting to see if Dembele can continue his red hot form until the end of the season and help his side win the title.
The Frenchman was linked with a move away from the club at the start of the season but he has managed to establish himself as a key starter for Koeman this season and he’s unlikely to leave anytime soon.
Messi U-turn
The positivity at Barcelona can finally be summed up by U- turn made by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
The Barcelona star was thought to be frustrated with the situation at the club under the previous managers and Bartomeu.
However, the arrival of Koeman and the appointment of Joan Laporta seems to have changed the complexion of the club and Messi is happy once again.
Barcelona are back challenging for the League title and the Argentine has had a defined role under Koeman. Messi is enjoying his football once again and since the turn of the year he has been exceptional for Barcelona.
It will be interesting to see if the Catalan giants can now convince the player to sign a new deal with them. His contract expires this summer and Barcelona cannot afford to lose him on a free transfer.
