Welcome to ESPN’s Insider Notebook, featuring contributions from our reporters across the continent. In this edition, there’s transfer talk involving Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as a feisty response to comments by Angel Di Maria’s wife about the “weird” women of Manchester. PLUS: Barcelona have a player banished from training. Jump to: Di Maria’s wife gets
Ousmane Dembélé
Sid Lowe explains why Lionel Messi will likely remain at Barcelona despite recent turmoil within the club. Steve Nicol considers whether Adama Traore’s recent form could earn him a return to Barcelona. Craig Burley explains how Barcelona’s players can get out of position due to Lionel Messi’s presence. Barcelona expect to be granted permission by
Sid Lowe reacts to Ousmane Dembele’s latest injury setback at Barcelona, which will keep him out for 10 weeks. Shaka Hislop believes Barcelona are far too reliant on Lionel Messi’s “superhuman” performances in recent years. Ale Moreno says Lionel Messi looked “untouchable” and Antoine Griezmann stayed disciplined in Barcelona’s win. Julien Laurens says he can’t
Alejandro Moreno says Slavia Prague’s lack of quality is the only reason Barcelona earned a point Tuesday. Janusz Michallik questions whether Ernesto Valverde has much time left at Barcelona after their loss vs. Levante. BARCELONA — Ondrej Kolar made a string of fine saves as Slavia Prague held Barcelona to a goalless draw in the
Ousmane Demebele was sent off for protesting a teammate’s red card. Ousmane Dembele is poised to miss the Clasico after being sent off for telling referee Mateu Lahoz he was “very bad” in Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Sevilla. The France forward scored the third goal as Barca moved second in La Liga behind Real Madrid,
The transfer windows in Europe’s top leagues are closed, but it’s never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below. All the major completed transfers | European transfer review Real will come for Eriksen, then Pochettino Wantaway Tottenham Hotspur attacker
The transfer windows in Europe’s top leagues are closed, but it’s never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below. All the major completed transfers | European transfer review TOP STORY: Real will come for Eriksen, then Pochettino Wantaway Tottenham
After a 2-0 defeat against West Ham, the ESPN FC crew wonder how long Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will remain at Old Trafford. Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer responded to the criticism from former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho after the side’s 2-0 loss to West Ham. The transfer windows in Europe’s top leagues are
The transfer windows in Europe’s top leagues are closed, but it’s never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the newest gossip below. All the major completed transfers | European transfer review TOP STORY: United target Dembele, Mandzukic Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar
Ousmane Dembele will be out for five weeks, but Brian McBride doesn’t expect Barcelona to feel his absence too much. Alejandro Moreno weighs in on the hot takes from the weekend’s soccer action to see whether they are overreactions. Gabriel Marcotti, Julien Laurens and Alexis Nunes discuss the loan transfer of Phillippe Coutinho to Bayern
The European transfer window is open. Click here to review all the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the latest gossip below. QUIZ: Which player are you? | What do Europe’s elite need? TOP STORY: Barcelona offer €40m, plus Coutinho and Dembele, for Neymar The talk surround Neymar‘s possible return to Barcelona has
The European transfer window is open. Click here to review all the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the latest gossip below. QUIZ: Which player are you? | What do Europe’s elite need? TOP STORY: Atleti offer Spurs Correa in Trippier negotiations Kieran Trippier is closing in on a move to Atletico Madrid, according
ESPN FC’s Gab Marcotti says the allure of Champions League football might be enough to have Paul Pogba looking at other clubs to play for next season. Gab Marcotti provides an update on the Neymar’s future with Paris Saint-Germain, after chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi’s comments warning the Brazilian. Steve Nicol and Julien Laurens discuss
The Premier League transfer window is open. You can click here to review all the latest transfers and keep up to date with all the latest gossip below. When does the window open in Europe? | QUIZ: Which club should you join? TOP STORY: Neymar to return as Barca offer stars in exchange Neymar is set for
Ousmane Dembele walked off with an injury in Barcelona’s 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo. ESPN FC’s Sid Lowe feels Lionel Messi’s strong message against jeers of Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho could do a load of good for his confidence. Barcelona have said that France forward Ousmane Dembele has a leg injury and is unfit to play
Chances were few and far between for Barcelona as they were held goalless by La Liga cellar dwellers Huesca. Against Huesca, Ousmane Dembele made his first appearance after a month out with a torn muscle. Barcelona were held to a goalless draw at Huesca on Saturday after making 10 changes to the side which beat
ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop reveals his latest power rankings which see Barcelona edge Liverpool for the pole position. Shaka Hislop’s take on Ousmane Dembele is that his reliance on and preference for his childhood friends is part of the culture growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood. Alejandro Moreno and Alexis Nunes take a look at
“You win the derby well, 4-0. Sunday comes, the sun is shining and you think it’s going to be a relaxing, easy day, but… the truth is, you don’t expect things like that to happen but, well, what you gonna do?” Put him back in the team, of course. Ousmane Dembele did it again. Both
Shaka Hislop’s take on Ousmane Dembele is that his reliance on and preference for his childhood friends is part of the culture growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood. The FC crew feel recent statements by Barcelona players about Ousmane Dembele are an effort to help him regain focus and form at the club. BERLIN —
Carles Alena scored his first La Liga goal for Barcelona, as the champions cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over Villarreal. Gerard Pique scored for the second straight game in Barcelona’s win over Villarreal. Gerard Pique and Carles Alena were on target as Barcelona beat Villarreal 2-0 to get back to winning ways in La