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Once touted as the heir to Lionel Messi ‘s throne at FC Barcelona, Ansu Fati has seen himself fall down the pecking order significantly at Barcelona. After a failed loan move to Brighton last season, the player has returned to the Spanish club.
However, recurring injuries and poor form has prevented the 22-year-old from finding a spot in Hansi Flick ‘s squad. As 2025 comes around, Fati has only managed to pick up seven appearances in all competitions this season.
Surprisingly, the Spaniard is also yet to get his name on the scoresheet and has zero goal contributions in total. Given his current situation, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he leaves the club once again on loan. However, the player’s agent did not seem pleased at the suggestion.
That’s a question for Barca, but he has the level to play for them. He needs to resolve his physical issues and gain confidence. Once he’s at 100%, Barca will need him.
Jorge Mendes told the press
Jorge Mendes: “Ansu Fati to leave on loan? Question for Barça but he has the level to play for them”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 31, 2024
“He needs is confidence and to resolve his physical issues. Once he’s at 100%, Barça will need him. He’s a unique player”, told MD. pic.twitter.com/5LjrMPcqrK
Fati’s most recent injury came in November 2024, when he suffered a hamstring injury in training and missed a month of action. Only time will tell if the youngster can regain form and fitness this season.
Barcelona youngster turned down ‘several top clubs’ before signing extension – Jorge Mendes
Hansi Flick’s trusted left-back – Alejandro Balde, recently signed a contract extension with Barcelona. The deal will see him play for the Catalans till 2028, with a release clause of €1 billion speaking volumes about his importance to the squad.
Balde’s agent, Jorge Mendes, happens to be the same that represents Ansu Fati. With the difficult financial situation Barcelona is in, the club could have very well made a significant profit by listening to offers for the 21-year-old. The agent said that the club made the right decision to offer the player an extension.
Before renewing with Barca, the best clubs in Europe wanted him and the club knows that. Barca made the right decision to not sell him despite having important offers. There is no doubt.
Jorge Mendes told Mundo Deportivo via Barca Blaugranes
Alejandro Balde’s agent Jorge Mendes: “Barça rejected offers from big teams for Balde and so he renewed”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 1, 2025
“There is no doubt for me, he will be the best left back in the world”, told Mundo Deportivo. pic.twitter.com/q3RgpUe96y
Balde has made 17 appearances this season in La Liga, providing 2 assists in the process. In the Champions League, the Spaniard has made 5 appearances, while claiming an assist.
Barcelona’s first game in 2025 is against UD Barbastro in the Copa del Rey Round of 32. A clash against Athletic Club awaits in the Spanish Super Cup, while Getafe is the club’s first opponent in La Liga this year.
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TODAY'S BEST
Why €40m signing is perfect move for Chelsea – and what it means for their summer
It seems like Jorrel Hato will be Chelsea’s next signing, with David Ornstein’s latest report claiming that the Blues are “closing in on a deal” to sign the Ajax defender. It’s not done yet, but all signs are pointing to a deal being done by the end of this week. Pieces fall into place for dream Chelsea Hato deal Things have lined up nicely for Hato – he just seems a great fit. He can cover at left back, where we really need a backup for the overworked Marc Cucurella, but could also be our solution alongside Levi Colwill at centre back long term. He’s got some decent size to him, continuing the general trend of adding some inches to a team that has struggled at set pieces at times. His price is nice too – even if it comes in at at €45m, that’s a very reasonable sum for a 19 year old Dutch international with some excellent pedigree from Ajax. There’s a reason plenty of other Premier League club have chased Hato in the last couple of years. Chelsea’s summer business moves into final phase With Hato signed up and his international teammate Xavi Simons soon set to follow, Chelsea’s incoming business should almost be done. There’s quality up front, in midfield and defence. Many fans would beg for a new goalkeeper, but it seems the club are stubbornly set to stick with Robert Sanchez for now. The real rush from now until September will be on trying to move on as many unwanted players from the first team squad as possible. There’s been great progress on Joao Felix, but there still remains a slew of players – from Axel Disasi to Carney Chukwuemeka and Raheem Sterling – that are up for sale and need to be shifted from the books.
Fever Coach Stephanie White Has Given One Player the Green Light Amid Caitlin Clark's Injury
Caitlin Clark is expected to sit out for a fourth straight game on Sunday when the Indiana Fever take on the Chicago Sky in a much-awaited rivalry matchup. The 23-year-old is still dealing with a reaggravated groin strain and has no timetable to return. The rest of her Fever teammates have had to step up in her absence. There is, perhaps, no other player who has taken a bigger role on the offensive end amid Clark’s injury spell than three-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell, however, struggled with her shot in Thursday’s win against the Las Vegas Aces. The 5-foot-8 guard shot the ball poorly in the first three quarters, going just 4-of-19 from the field for 12 points. Mitchell caught fire in the fourth, though. She went 4-of-5 in the final frame for nine points, finishing with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-24 shooting. This is exactly why head coach Stephanie White remains completely confident in Mitchell’s scoring ability. The veteran coach has made it clear that she has given Mitchell the green light to shoot the rock. “The biggest thing with Kelsey is just telling her, ‘Let it fly.’ It’s going to go,” White said after Thursday’s win against Las Vegas. "... Keep shooting it from outside. She made some big ones when we needed them.” Kelsey Mitchell Has Stepped up Amid Clark's Injury Mitchell has answered the call for the Fever of late. In the three games Clark has been sidelined, Mitchell has put up averages of 22.0 points on 42.9% shooting. She also knocked down 2.7 triples during that stretch on a 34.8% clip. The 29-year-old veteran will need to keep her foot on the gas on Sunday as the Fever try to take down the Sky at United Center. With Clark watching from the bench, the Fever will rely on Mitchell’s scoring against Chicago as they look to improve on their 13-12 record. The Fever and Sky meet at 3 p.m. ET Sunday on ABC.
Yankees not close to done adding ahead of trade deadline
The New York Yankees already made headlines by acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. That may not be their only move ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Yankees have an extensive shopping list. While a right-handed hitting infielder is a priority, New York is also looking for help in the rotation and bullpen. Acquiring McMahon may have contributed to the push for a right-handed hitting infielder. McMahon has struggled against left-handed pitching throughout his career, posting a .231/.307/.378 batting line in 1,079 plate appearances, hitting 34 homers and 35 doubles. Those struggles have been even more pronounced this year. McMahon is slashing .207/.289/.310 in 97 plate appearances against southpaws, with two homers and three doubles. Kirschner specifically listed Minnesota Twins utility man Willi Castro as someone the Yankees are targeting, whose career .260/.306/.399 batting line in 689 plate appearances against lefties would make him a solid complement to McMahon. Likewise, the club's pursuit of pitching makes sense. Marcus Stroman has been much better since returning from the injured list at the end of June, but he cannot be considered a reliable option. Rookie Will Warren has been inconsistent, and with Clarke Schmidt likely lost until 2027 due to Tommy John surgery, the rotation needs work. New York's relief corps may be further down the team's needs. While every contending team looks to bolster the bullpen ahead of the trade deadline, the Yanks' upgrades could come from within. Relievers Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. are expected back in August, while fellow reliever Yerry De los Santos was activated from the IL on Saturday. The Yankees still have a lot of work to do ahead of the trade deadline. It could be a busy next few days in the Bronx.
Packers CB Has 7-Word Message After Matt LaFleur’s Training Camp Warning
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