They should be trying as hard as possible to ship out Chygrynskiy, Caceres, Ibra and Hleb too I reckon.

Hleb left last season. Caceres is still on loan at Juventus with them looking more than likely to sign him permanently.

Now we've got past the pish let's look at the other two. In my opinion they paid well over the odds for Chygrynskiy but the lad hasn't had a decent run in the first team. Maybe with 7 or 8 consecutive games under his belt he'd look more like the player who stood out at Shakhtar Donetsk, but I don't think he's going to get that opportunity with Puyol, Pique and Milito ahead of him. He's got 4 more years left on his contract and he's supposed to be one of the more modest earners so maybe Barça are happy to have him on the bench.
Ibrahimovic... I'm still not 100% about him. He reminds me of Berbatov sometimes, but much much better. When things are going well he's class but his head drops far too easily. The way Guardiola has Barcelona playing means there's no room for laziness or disinterest and in my opinion this has found Ibrahimovic out on numerous occasions this season. I think with Villa there's still room for him, but should they sign (or try to sign) Torres then it will be 'adeu' to the Swede.

Hleb is out on loan, no?


See, Caceres I'm really disappointed with. When Barca signed him, I thought Pep would nurture him into Puyol's replacement. For a centre half, Caceres has so much athleticism, he's so quick and agile, it's strange to see that in a defender. He was pretty poor on the ball and his decision making was questionable, but he was young and I can't believe they'll just let him go, especially as he can cover both full back positions.

If he can develop well enough wherever he ends up, he could still become a top player IMO.


Citeh after Milner. Can't say I rate him that highly, whilst I don't see what's wrong with Stephen Ireland. Maybe some of the ITK's will give us the low down on his situation.

One of those one-way loans.


Yes he's quick and agile, but he can't tackle for toffee. The clause in his contract was around €11million.


His head, according to Mancini.

Hleb is back at Barca.

He fell out massively with Christian Gross, he's been very critical of him in the German media.

I liked him at Arsenal, decent rather than special. Had a great ability to turn when he had a defender close to him, but he didn't contribute enough goals for me, not enough end porduct, all a little too neat.

He'll be at Barça until they can find a buyer or someone willing to take him on. He won't get anywher near the first team next year if he's still around.

Of course they probably know no more than any of us but I ended up chatting to a group of Barca fans in a bar after the cup final last night and they seem to think Ibrahimovic will be offered to Arsenal, along with Toure in exchange for Fabregas, they were quite adamant about it.

Can't see it myself.

Me neither.
Caught the end of the game (and the second goal) last night. Commiserations mate, but you've still won more than Madrid

A point which was being made quite often yesterday night

It was a pretty good game actually, amazing atmosphere and a fun day all round - - I'm now off to let the sun cure my headache.

Howard Webb to referee the Champions League final.