The Fans Football Blog3

Asked about the situation of Barcelona goalkeeper Albert Jorquera (30), Barcelona goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué has said in an interview with Catalan sports paper Sport that the club still prefers that he would leave this summer:

"We told him last May that our plan was that he wouldn't continue at the club.

We think that the guys from the B team, Miño and Oier, have made great progress and that we can trust them in case it would be necessary. That's why it's the best for everyone to find a solution. It won't be easy. He has one year left and the market looks very difficult this year. But we have time until the end of August to find a solution.

He has had two difficult years because of injuries. He recovered due to his strength of will and we have to recognize that effort. Pinto nevertheless did well in the meantime and Albert became third goalkeeper. He has always behaved professionally. Last December, he indeed had an offer from Sporting, but we thought that the season would be very long and we didn't want to take any risks."

Read more:
Salary demands block exit Jorquera
Barcelona could keep the same three goalkeepers
Xerez interested in Barcelona goalkeeper Jorquera

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona Atlètic goalkeeper Rubén Miño (20) will be promoted to the first team next season.

Miño would replace Barcelona third goalkeeper Albert Jorquera, who is believed to leave Barcelona during the summer transfer window.



Read more:
Barça B: Season over for goalkeeper Mino
Barcelona planning six transfers
Malaga and Betis interested in Jorquera

Catalan newspaper Avui claims that Barcelona wants to sign six players during the coming transfer wiondow.


Goal. Third goalkeeper Albert Jorquera (30), whose contract expires in 2010, is seriously considering to leave this summer. If this happens, it's not yet sure how he will be replaced: either a new goalkeeper will be signed or Guardiola will count more on one of the Barcelona goalkeeepers, Oier Olazábal (19) or Rubén Miño (20).

Defense. Bayer Leverkusen central defender Henrique (22) will return from loan while central defender Martín Cáceres (22) could leave on loan for one season. It's not clear when central defender Gabriel Milito will have fully recovered from his knee injury.

Barcelona is looking at the option of signing a back-up for right back defender Daniel Alves and will certainly sign a left back to replace Sylvinho, whose contract expires and won't be renewed. Barcelona Juvenil A central defender Marc Muniesa (17), who can also act as left back, will start the pre-season with the first team and could stay afterwards.

Midfield. Attackers Eidur Gudjohnsen (30), whose contract expires in 2010, and Alexander Hleb (28) could be sold or included in a transfer deal. If one or both of them leave, a new midfielder will be signed, while Barcelona attacking midfielder Thiago (18) also has a chance of being promoted.

Attack. Barcelona will certainly buy a player for the left wing, with Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribéry (26) being the main candidate. Valencia forward Juan Manuel Mata (21 - picture) would be another option. Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola wants to sign a centre forward. Three names would be on the list: Atlético Madrid forward Diego Forlán (29), Valencia forward David Villa (28) and Lyon forward Karim Benzema (21).

Read more:
Guardiola wants larger squad and new players
Barcelona plans few changes in the summer
Txiki talks about the summer transfer market

The final list of nominations for this year Fútbol Draft trophies, the most prestigious Spanish awards for youth players, have been announced.

55 Spanish players between 16 and 21 years old are nominated (five for each position) and on 7 May a Golden, Silver and Bronze Eleven will be announced.

Besides two former Barcelona players - Fran Mérida (Arsenal, 1990) and Iago Falqué (Juventus, 1990) - ten Barcelona players are among the nominated players.


Goalkeeper
Rubén Miño (1989)

Right back defender
Albert Dalmau (1992)
Martín Montoya (1991)

Left central defender
Marc Muniesa (1992)

Left back defender
Carles Planas (1991)

Right central midfielder
Sergi Busquets (1988)

Left winger
Jeffrén Suárez (1988)

Attacking midfielder
Thiago Alcántara (1991)

Centre forward
Bojan Krkic (1990)
Rubén Rochina (1991)


Read more:
Bojan fourth in Golden Boy trophy
An introduction to Ruben Rochina
English and Italian clubs monitoring Barça youth

Barcelona's medical staff has announced yesterday that Barcelona Atlètic goalkeeper and Spanish youth international Rubén Miño (20) has broken a bone in his left foot during Wednesday’s training session.

The goalkeeper will undergo surgery today and is expected to be out for the coming twelve weeks, which means the end of his season.

Read more:
International: Mino makes under-21 debut
Barça B: Season possibly over for Victor Vazquez
Barcelona won't sign a new goalkeeper

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona doesn't plan to buy a new goalkeeper in the summer and could stick with the three current goalkeepers.

Barcelona second goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto (33) has a contract for one more season, although both parties can put an end to it this summer. Barcelona nor the player would want that. Asked about his future, Pinto said in an interview with Catalan radio station RAC 1 that he plans to continue: "If they don't tell me the opposite, I see myself staying until 2010."

Barcelona third goalkeeper Albert Jorquera (30), whose contract expires in the summer of 2010, could also stay if it depends on the club. Barcelona would nevertheless be willing to let the Catalan go if he asks to leave. If Jorquera won't continue, he will most probably be replaced by Barcelona Atlètic goalkeeper and Spanish youth international Rubén Miño (20).

Read more:
Pinto is music producer in his free time
Barcelona sounds out Juventus goalkeeper Buffon
Jorquera is looking for a club in Spain

Barcelona Atlètic goalkeeper Rubén Miño (20) made yesterday his debut with the Spanish under-21 national team in the friendly game against the Irish under-21. Ireland defeated Spain 2-1.

Miño played the whole match. Barcelona Atlètic winger Jeffren (21) started the game and was replaced after 72 minutes. Barcelona Atlètic central defender Alberto Botía (20) stayed on the bench for the whole game. Celtic Glasgow midfielder and former Barcelona player Marc Crosas (21) also made his debut and played for an hour.

Barcelona Atlètic goalkeeper Rubén Miño (20), Barcelona Atlètic central defender Alberto Botía and Barcelona Atlètic winger Jeffren (21) have for the first time been called-up for the Spanish under-21 national team.

The three players of Barcelona's second team were included, along with Barcelona player Bojan Krkic, in the squad that will face the Norwegian u-21 national team on Tuesday.

Read more:
First international call-up for Piqué and Busquets
Barça B - Benja: "I'm very happy to return"
First international call-up for Busquets

Asked about the fact that last season's first choice goalkeeper Oier Olazábal (18) has been replaced at the start of the season by Rubén Miño (19 - picture), Barcelona Atlètic assistant coach Joan Barbarà has said to journalists that the staff is counting on both players:

"We're satisfied because with Rubén and Oier we have two very good goalkeepers. Miño is a player who has been promoted from the Juvenil A and who is very talented. But Oier is also a quality goalkeeper and he can return to the goal at each moment. We have a lot of confidence in both players. We don't have problems at that position, the two are working very hard and whoever will play will do great."

Read more:
Barça B: Season Preview
Youth: 11 Juvenil players could make promotion
How things stand: Goal keeper

Eleven Juvenil players are currently taking part in the pre-season of Barcelona Atlètic (previously known as Barcelona B).

Depending on their performance during the pre-season, on the future transfers of the team and on which B players who are now doing the pre-season with the first team will stay with the first team, Barcelona Atlètic coach Luis Enrique will later decide which of those player will continue the season with his team.

This is the list of the eleven players:

Juvenil A goalkeeper Rubén Miño (19)
Juvenil A goalkeeper Jordi Masip (19)
Juvenil A right back defender Martín Montoya (17)
Juvenil A centre and right back defender Marc Blasco (19)
Juvenil A central defender Marc Muniesa (16)
Juvenil A defensive midfielder Andreu Fontàs (18)
Juvenil B defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu (16)
Juvenil A central midfielder Polaco (18)
Juvenil A attacking midfielder Thiago Alcántara (17)
Juvenil A attacking midfielder Iago Falqué (18)
Juvenil A centre forward Rubén Rochina (17)

Read more:
Barça B: Luis Enrique building a new team
Youth: Thiago Alcántara
Youth: Adria Carmona