Most read this week

these were the three most read blog posts of the past week:


1.
Transfer battle between board and Rosell

2.
Poll result: Who would you vote for?

3.
Ex-coach Rexach considers running for president

Former president of Catalan federation could run

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Jordi Roche could take part in the elections for president of FC Barcelona next spring.

Roche is a 35-years old businessman and former president of the Catalan football federation (2005-2008) and of Spanish second division club Girona (2001-2005).

Several sources would have indicated that Roche could make his candidacy public in the coming weeks, despite Spanish news site El Confidencial claiming last year that Roche was a part of the team of former Barcelona sports vice-president Sandro Rosell.

Read more:
Will former super-agent run for president?
Ex-coach Rexach considers running for president
Will Llaurado run for the fourth time?

The Front: El Mundo Deportivo

barça elections 2010

ON STAGE

Sandro Rosell - Jaume Ferrer - Alfons Godall - Ferran Soriano

Rosell is the big alternative for the continuity candidates Ferrer and Godall, and Soriano is the unknown factor

Guardiola will not support any candidate

Laporta will continue until June although the elections will be held in March

Rosell closing in on Cesc

Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas (22) is the cornerstone of the sporting project of presidential candidate Sandro Rosell and would become the first transfer of Rosell if he wins next year's elections.

When Cesc joined Arsenal in 2003, then vice-president Rosell agreed with the English Premier League an option that Barcelona could match the highest bid for the player. Arsenal, that would be asking a starting price of 40 million euros, would have accept to let the Catalan leave in the summer while Rosell has reportedly already a deal with Cesc.

Another reason for a transfer deal would be that sportswear supplier Nike prefers Cesc to join a club sponsored by them rather than for example Real Madrid, even more so after the problems that have arisen after the transfer of Nike player Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid. Rosell from his side has in the past worked for Nike and would still have excellent relations with the company's executives.

Catalan sports paper Sport meanwhile claims that Cesc is the absolute priority of Barcelona for next season and that the negotiations will be intensified in the first months of next year, with president Laporta reportedly wanting to sign him before the elections. All presidential candidates as well as Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola would agree on the return of the Catalan midfielder.

Read more:
Cesc gives his ok to presidential candidates
Benedito denies talks with Mascherano
Transfer battle between board and Rosell

Poll result: Will the elections affect the team?

Do you think that the elections could affect the sporting results of Barça?

No 53%
Yes 47%

total votes: 2610
start date poll: 23 december 2009
poll method: internet, free participation
source: sport

Cartoon 20: The president's christmas gift

Because all culés have behaved very well...

...Santa Laporta has brought us not one, but two continuity candidacies.

(click the cartoon to enlarge)


by kap

source:
el mundo deportivo

check more election cartoons here

Perrin: "Ferrer could accept being the second man"

Barcelona institutional vice-president Albert Perrín gave an interview to Catalan sports paper El 9 Esportiu.


Jaume Ferrer announced on Wednesday that he will be a candidate in the presidential elections. It's no secret that you are supporting him. What are your plans?
We would like that there's only candidacy to come out of this board that wants to continue the project. We will try, but we do not know if it will be possible.

Today, there are no fights inside the board, but we have different ways of thinking, which is actually a good thing in my opinion. Differences are good. We need to talk now and I hope we can reach an agreement so that there will only be one board candidacy. I nevertheless know that it will not be easy.

This candidacy should be headed by Jaume Ferrer?
I would like it to be him because he has the qualities to be a good president, but if it has to be another colleague, we will talk about that. There are several board members who have the skills to be president.

Alfons Godall and Xavier Sala i Martín, who are the key people of the other alternative, would accept Ferrer as the candidate?
I hope so, just like Jaume could accept being the second man. In negotiations all parties must compromise. I don't know what will happen, but there is willingness to talk.

What qualities does Ferrer have?
He's a calm person, who has worked a lot for the club and who knows many areas. He has been treasurer, he has been responsible for marketing and media, for the non-football sections, now for the assets...

He knows the club very well and he also did well in his personal businesses, which is fundamental, because this is after all a big company. It's someone who can deal with a lot of things, who's also great Barcelona fan and a man of this country, which is basic as well.

What about Alfons Godall?
We know each other from the "revolutionary" times at the end of the nineties. I think he's capable, motivated and enthusiastic. Why do I support Ferrer and not Godall? It's a matter of feeling. Maybe in the past few years I have been closer to Jaume.

Chief executive Joan Oliver may be a cause of disagreement between the two sides?
I don't think so. We have a very skilled general director, very intelligent, with an incredible work-rate, which is all very positive for the club.

The way of functioning of a general director depends on who is giving him orders, and with another president he maybe will work differently. Joan Oliver is certainly qualified to be the chief executive of the club.

The whole spying case is already forgotten?
It happened but that's history now and recalling it doesn't lead to anything. We were able to stay united during some very important moments for the club and now that's already in the past.

this is the first part of this interview. in the coming days you will be able to read the rest of the interview with perrín talking - among other things - about ferran soriano and sandro rosell.

Read more:
Albert Perrin appointed as new vice-president
Godall and Ferrer to meet next week
Vice-president Perrin confirms candidacy Ferrer

interview: ferran correas and dani colmena