Barcelona are still recovering in terms of sports and finances from the harmful mandate of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who left the famous club practically on the ropes. The return of Joan Laporta to the presidency stopped the decline of the club and consolidation began at all levels.One of the few bright spots of Bartomeu’s administration was former technical secretary Ramon Planes. He is most deserving of cheap and good purchases like Pedri or Ronald Araujo. He did not have as much decision-making power as president Bartomeu (or club director Bordas, who refused to go after Mbappe in order to bring Dembele) so Planes survived the arrival of the new administration, which wanted to keep him. However, as a moral act, he gave his resignation at the end of last year.Thu 23:00: (2.95) Napoli (3.40) Barcelona (2.55)In an interview with the Italian media, he revealed some interesting things from his tenure.”Lautaro Martinez was very close to Barcelona. Negotiations were conducted before the start of the pandemic. We held numerous meetings with his agents and directors of Inter, with whom we are in good relations. Then came the pandemic and the situation changed because football also changed economically.” Planes said.When asked if Barcelona wanted to bring Dusan Vlahovic and Manuel Locatelli, he answered affirmatively.”It simply came to our notice then. Dusan Vlahovic is a very strong player. We wanted to bring him on loan two years ago. We tried but it was not feasible. Manuel Locatelli is a Barcelona-style player. He exploded in Sassuolo. We were close to bringing him in, but Juventus is a strong club that has special affinities towards domestic players, and in the end he decided to go to them.”Laces off, power on: Barca’s prodigy Gavi finds it common to play with his shoes untiedPerhaps Planes’ most interesting confession is that Barcelona was seriously considering bringing in Sassuolo’s coach at the time, and current manager of Shakhtar Donetsk – Roberto De Zerbi.”Roberto de Zerbi is a coach that nurtures the same football philosophy Barcelona does. Pep Guardiola also spoke highly of his style of football. The truth is that you have to have that style if you want to coach Barcelona. He is a young coach we have been following closely. It is also true that we contacted him and I think he will be able to manage Barça in the future.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##However, Planes is convinced that Barcelona is on the right track today with the new administration.”Barcelona is in the process of reconstruction with young players. The whole world knew that this moment would come and that it would be difficult. True, I did not expect Leo Messi to leave so quickly. I thought he would stay at the club for at least another two years. He left last summer and this is a painful period for Barcelona now.”However, everything is easier with this new generation of players and people in the club. La Masia is a factory from which many top players have emerged throughout history. It can now be seen that Barcelona has a magnificent new generation of young players.”Aubameyang already looking like himself in BarcelonaHe also warned Juventus that they will not have an easy job tonight against Villareal.”Villarreal is a club with of the best organizational policies in recent years. They even won the Europa League. They have a very powerful owner who controls everything well. They will be a tough rival for Juventus.”
