The Life of LK

LA MASIA- Barcelona’s Football Factory (The World’s Best)

The question is Why are Barcelona the best team in the world? 

The answer is: La Masia- The Barcelona Football Youth System 

This is the origins of the great likes of Pep Guardiola, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Pique. And Cesc Fabregas who now plays for Arsenal. This is where Barcelona develop these stars into being major stars in the world. 

This ancient mansion was converted into the Youth’s system in 1979 and the idea was by Dutch Legend Johan Cruyff when he was manager there. he wanted a youth system like Ajax! Ajax had the most successful youth system back then but recently the Daily Telegraph said Barcelona had the best! 

La Masia, the house itself houses 60 players , 10 players live in the luxurious farmhouse and the rest stay in a nice accomodation next to Nou Camp. 

The facility costs £8 million to run…but thinking about it…that is only a tiny fraction of the likes of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi etc. 

Guess who this is? 

The Daily Schedule of La Masia students

7am: Get up.
7.30am: Communal breakfast.
8am: Minibus takes them to school in the city.
2pm: Return from school and have a communal lunch.
2.30pm: Some boys have a siesta while others do homework.
4pm-6pm: Intense training sessions.
6.30pm: Fit players head to the gym, while those carrying knocks or injuries have physio.
9pm: Communal dinner.
10pm: Bed time. Some players go straight to sleep but they are allowed to read, listen to music or do homework before lights out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijxk39bcaJk- LA MASIA VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57T9RIfKow- Lionel Messi at La Masia

The Philosophy of the Club:

The director of La Masia said ’ We’re always looking for a player who’s not physical but a very good thinker whos ready to make quick decisions, has talent, technique and agility. Physical strength is not important’ 

That is why the Barca squad is small but it does not mean they are bad players, they are talented. 

Barcelona’s manager Pep Guardiola said, “The player who has passed through La Masia has something different to the rest, it’s a plus that only comes from having competed in a Barcelona shirt from the time you were a child.”

Having La Masia is to create Philosophy, create one’s mentality…..to create the best players from bottom of the club to the top. 

And you can see this from Iniesta and Xavi. And Messi. 

Look at the Spain World Cup Final Team that won the World Cup Last Year (names in bold are Players that DEVELOPED FROM LA MASIA)

Casillas, Ramos, Pique,Puyol, Capedevila, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Andre Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez,Pedro, Villa . 

Sub: Fabregas

More than half their team came from Barca’s youth system including Fabregas who set up the winning goal. The mentality was Barcelona’s mentality someone that is PRICELESS.

Plus who won the three Ballon D’Or awards last Year?,…Messi, Xavi, Iniesta. Three players who had developed from La Masia! 

La Masia also teaches people to be humble and disciplined- one of the directors said- 

Here we teach discipline, order, control, and we try to show that a football player can be a star without being a ‘show-off’, just by making your team-mates better.”

That is the difference between players from Barcelona and different teams. You do not see Messi like Cristiano Ronaldo having the flash, the money and the cars. Messi is down to earth like the other players in Barcelona CF. They have a love…the love for Football.

Pep Guardiola the manager and former player of Barcelona who had developed from this system nurtured by Johan Cruyff. He nows has the job to make Barcelona into the total football team in the world. Winning 3 consecutive league titles, 2 champions leagues in 3 years and some Spanish Domestic cup. This also backs Pep as the total footballer. 

There are 12 teams altogether in the Youth System started from 7-8 year old- The Prebenjami up to Barcelona B. Barcelona B is in BBVA Segunda. The league below La Liga. THINKKK about that! They are just one league below the A team. 

Whos gunna be the New Xavi…The New Iniesta….The New Messi?

These players are tipped to be major stars in the future-

Thiago Alcantara- 

Jonathan Dos Santos 

Marc Bartra-

OVERALLLL…….this is what English Football is missing! This is what English football clubs are definitely missing. That is why we did not win the world cup. We need to replicate this system! Its not all about having a youth system its having a youth system that works and the club would use it for the whole of their history.

Adios.

My Lifetime Top XI- Day 5 : Right Back- Lilian Thuram

I think this guy here needs a lot more recognition. This guy is called Lilian Thuram.

There are not many right backs that have shone in the recent years, and Lilian Thuram is what i think is the best one I ever and the less recognised one! Normally a full back would be a small, extremely fast one but Lilian Thuram has a different attribute…his strength.

His strength on that pitch week in week out is just amazing. I used to watch Italian Football a lot and what he did at Juventus was just phenomenal. 

Started at Monaco in 1990, he had played 155 appearances for the French Outfit and during that time he sadly only won 1 cup and that was the Coupe de France. 

In 1996 he moved to Italy and played for Parma. There he made 163 appearances for them winning three trophies-the Coppa Italia in 1999, Supercoppa Italiana in 1999 and also the UEFA cup in 1999. That year had been extremely busy for him and for his perfomances…Parma won all these cups in just one year. 

This had earnt him a £25 million move to Juventus in 2001 where everyone recognised his potential and this is when I recognised his potential! In total he played 145 matches. In six years he has won the Serie A twice…..and the Supercoppa Italiana twice aswell. 

His final club move was to Spanish greats Barcelona and the best team in the world. He deserved it and played there for 2 years making 41 times. At that time he was getting old but was still working hard to help the team. 

I think the International side of Thuram is much more brighter….as he is THE MOST CAPPED PLAYER for France in THEIR NATIONAL HISTORY. Therefore he has played more games for France than any other person. 142 TIMES! That is how many times he has been called up by French Managers because he is the best man in his position.  He played in 1998 World Cup where he had become a World Champion as France won it! Then won the Euro 2000 aswell with France. Over the years he has also played in World Cup 2002, Euro 2004, World Cup 2006, Euro 2008…and before his world cup victory Euro 96. For a player to play so many international matches is a dream…and Thuram doesnt need to dream. He had it all.

He had the individual honours aswell! being named in FIFA100 in 2004, FifPro Squad of the year 2006, Fifa World Star team 2 times. 

Again i think he is the most unrecognised player I know at the moment because he deserves more of these awards.

However what i like about Thuram is that he works hard. When he started his career he knew he wasn’t the most talented but the thing he did was he never ever gave up. He pushed on and pushed on no matter how good he was, he tried his best every single game. That is why is in this squad of My Lifetime Top XI.

Not only Football, he has helped the UN tackle the problems in countries like Palestine. This is a good example of a footballer who was good on the field and good off the field.

My Lifetime Top XI Already

GK- Iker Casillas

LB- Roberto Carlos

CB- Rio Ferdinand

CB- Carlos Puyol

RB- Lilian Thuram

LCM-

CDM-

RCM-

RW-

ST-

LW-

Man United : Modric, Nasri, Young? Possible.

Recently Scholes had stated his retirement. Now…United are on the verge of a spending spree on these three players.Three Talented Players. Luka Modric from Tottenham, Nasri from Arsenal, Young from Aston Villa. 

Sir Alex Ferguson had promised on 3-4 big named players to be brought to the Theatre of Dreams this summer, goalkeeper David De Gea (Athletico Madrid) also being one of them. 

These 4 players that are ‘strongly’ rumoured to this club will shine for the club for the next years and even conquer Barcelona’s form! The question is, is it possible? 

The answer is strongly Yes and these are the reasons:

Samir Nasri (Arsenal) - After joining in 2008, this lad has not won one trophy. Recently he was offered a new contract, but he declared ‘unsure’ this already tells people that his heart is not really longer in Arsenal and wants to move on….. A player like Nasri deserves to win trophies and going to Man United is the best option. Especially his pal Patrice Evra is there. 

Nasri would be amazing in the centre of the field and with the coaching from United, he would be even better than he was in the first half of the season. 

BUT…...Nasri is ONLY considering signing a new deal if Arsenal would be investing this year!

Cost- If he doesnt sign a new contract he can go as little as £10 million

Possibility 7/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuLb8XoAP4s- Samir Nasri in action

Luka Modric (Tottenham Hotspur)- I have mentioned Luka Modric in one of my posts recently but I wasn’t really in detail. Luka Modric again is described as the ‘new scholes’ and Man United are among the favorites to sign him this summer. 

Harry Redknapp had responded with Luka’s link with Man United and set a £20 million excess tag on Luka. For a player like Luka…£21 Million for him would be ideal.  

If Man United sign Nasri aswelll….whoa Modric and Nasri in the centre of the field. That would be amazing.

Cost-£20+ million

Possibility- 7/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG_CiVDCqV8- A Luka Modric Compliliation

Ashley Young is the one also linked to Old Trafford, as currently he is at Aston Villa and wants to play at his best. He had said ages 25,26,27 is when a player reaches his peak and going to a big club like Man United is the best option. 

He has also shown his desire to play in the Champions League, and the competition between Liverpool capturing his signature had died down because Liverpool didn’t get in this competition. 

Ashely Young has done well for both his country and club this year, his recent goal for England against Switzerland had shown the quality of a player. Young has scored 2 goals in 3 games for England already.

For club even though Aston Villa didn’t really play well this season he had still shone as he made 10 assists, scored 8 and crossed in 247 crosses. At Man United this record would definitely improve and he will show his prime. 

1710 7th June 2011- Ashley Young set to sign for United-http://ibnlive.in.com/news/manchester-united-set-to-sign-ashley-young/157445-5-21.html

Cost £20 Million

Possibility- Nearly done deal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eojZfoVujss- Ashley Young

Exclusive: Transfer News of the Week

Real Madrid Capture Nuri Sahin from German Champions Borussia Dortmund…..and are set to sign Portuguese and Benfica player Fabio Coentrao for £19.5 million

(Above) Nuri Sahin -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfzUDflTKOE

(Above) Fabio Coentrao -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCcxX4IqwQc

Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez is linked to join back his grass roots club Boca Juniors, after winning the FA Cup with Man City. In that season he was joint Premier League Golden Boot with Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov

Above- Carlos Tevez -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MdWNkDDzbA

Manchester United’s reformation of the lost against Barcelona is just beginning to start….after Paul Scholes, Van Der Sar, Neville retired, they have been linked with some players ( Likely transfers) 

Athletico Madrid’s David De Gea is so close in signing for Manchester United and replacing Edwin Van Der Sar. He is named the upcoming Keeper in the world, Man United has also been linked with Manuel Neuer…but recently he has signed for Bayern Munich.

David De Gea 

Paul Scholes, one of the best midfielders that ever lived just retired and Man United are trying to find a replacement. Manchester United are closing on Luka Modric from Tottenham. Luka Modric, is  one of the quiet players in the game but his vision is as good as Scholes. Manchester United will have to pay £25-£30 million for Luka.

Manchester United are also targeting the flying dutchman Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan. It would be Wesley or Luka! Manchester United are also linked with Aston Villa’s Ashley Young. After his perfomance and goal against Switzerland and a string of brilliant perfomances for his club…he has got the right attributes for United.

Tottenham Hotspur is also claimed to going to be busy in this summer in terms of transfers in.

They have made a signing goalkeeper Brad Friedel from Aston Villa after some dodgy perfomances by their goalkeeper Heureulho Gomes last season. Brad Friedel who is 40, is still up his game( Goalkeeper tend to better when they are older)

Now they are looking to purchase talented Brazillian Striker Leandro Damiao, he currently plays for Internacional in Brazil. He has scored 22 goals in 24 appearances this season for his club and had earned a call up from Brazil! He is one of the upcoming strikers and stars in the world. Tottenham have already bid £10.5million for him…but i was rejected. Now a fresh offer of £12million has been made,

Leandro Damiao- also wanted by Barcelona and Juventus

England vs Switzerland: Switzerland Players to Watch

Xherdan Shaqiri

The last meeting with England, Shaqiri scored the only goal as Switzerland lost 3-1. Now Shaqiri would want to score a hat trick to boost their country’s hopes of going through to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. 

Just 19, he is starting reguarly for Switzerland matches now after a surprise call up in last year’s world cup. 

Currently playing for FC Basel in Switzerland, he is regarded as one of the stars of the future.

He is known for amazing dribbling ability and be able to use both feet. Not only these attributes he is able to burst with his rapidness and cause danger! He is a one to watch. 

It won’t be a surprise for clubs like Real Madrid, Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea bidding for him soon!

His goal against England-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdjtOC_uJm8

His ability and skills- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUNVxS7ajDw

Gokhan Inler

Arsenal, Juventus, Liverpool, Napoli and some other clubs were chasing this man for a long time. A midfielder who portrays a Patrick Viera figure is the heart of Switzerland’s midfielder and is extremely highly rated. 

Played for his country 45 times already he is a regular and today he should be trying to challenge the likes of Wilshere, Lampard an Gerrard. Gokhan Inler would use his strength and vision to deliver killer balls to Deriyok, their striker. He also captained Switzerland against Spain in the previous World Cup, in which Switzerland surprisingly won 1-0

Currently he plays for Udinese ( Serie A) and is also a club favorite making 142 appearances and is also on the move for a bigger club.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vKhNrye47I- Inler for Udinese

My Lifetime Top XI- Day 4 : Centre Back- Carlos Puyol

This last centre back place in my Top XI, got me into a dilemma. I didn’t know if I should put Maldini….Terry……Vidic….Hierro? I had reached a final conclusion and it was this man…Carlos Puyol.

When I went to the Nou Camp to see Barcelona vs Real Zaragoza during my Spanish trip for school. One of the great memories was Carlos Puyol bossing the defence. 

His bulldog approach to the game has made him one of the best in the world. One of the best defenders and one of the best players I can say. The thing I like about him is that he never seems to give up, he has got this spirit inside him that always makes him go for it. Not only his physical body, his spirit gives the ‘bulldog approach’ 

Having played 348 appearances for his club, the greatest in this world at the moment, Barcelona he is also the captain taking over the post from Luis Enrique in 2004. He had been a strong captain let alone a defender. he is the very few people I portray as a ‘captain’ figure. You can just imagine him shouting and commanding his team. This is one of the reasons for Barca’s success for the recent years, (2 years after his captain post- Barca won their second Champions league in their history) 

Not only for club he is ambassador for this country, having 94 caps already-Spain. The best memory of him had to be in recent world cup 2010. The goal he scored against Germany. Ring a bell? Where he bursted in the box like a ‘bulldog’ and scored the winning goal in the semi final.  and Guess what they won the World Cup Altogether he has played in 7 competitions for his country including the Euro Championships and recent World cups. 

Not only his country and club success by winning so many trophies, he has picked up a lot individual awards! European Defender- 3 times. Fifa Team of the Year-3 times. Uefa Team of the Year- 6 times.Uefa Club Defender -2 times. List goes on…but it sums it up. 

He is one of the best. and for a central defender he is 5ft 10. That is amazing for what he has achieved. He has had a brilliant career and Spain would find it hard to find a defender with so much spirit and brilliant physical abilities. 

Carles Puyol!Bien Hecho!