Blow for Ilaix Moriba and boost for Joan Laporta

Blow for Ilaix Moriba and boost for Joan Laporta

Lluís Mascaró

Director de Información Deportiva de Prensa Ibérica

| sport

Ronald Koeman was tough, very tough, on Ilaix Moriba. I’ve rarely seen a coach go so strongly against the behaviour of a player. He showed he was hurt and disappointed by the midfielder. Koeman said he told Ilaix that money was not the most important thing at his age, but he and his people think differently. A strong message from Barca’s Wembley hero for an 18 year old who has only played 672 first team minutes and is now demanding a multi-million contract. Koeman agrees with Barca’s stance. It’s the only way to set an example. There have to be limits to these crazy salaries. And more so for promising youngsters who have not achieved anything yet, like Ilaix. He is set to be an exceptional midfielder but not at any price. Barca are running the risk of losing him, sure, but he’s running the risk of spending a year in the stands, putting his career in danger. His advisors would do well to listen to Koeman.

Meanwhile, extraordinary news for Joan Laporta. The 455m euros loaned by international investors through Goldman Sachs. It’s a ball of oxygen that will save Barca’s economy. They can pay their immediate debts and start a strategic plan to get out of their pit. It’s over 10 years, with 1.98 per cent interest and guaranteed by the television rights. It seems Barca still have credibility, above all if they have a board that generates confidence.

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