Newly-appointed manager Ronald Koeman is trying to make Barcelona great again. The board approved him to take decisions for improving the current squad. The Dutch gaffer has already finalized his squad for the upcoming season. Hence, he sold the unwanted players to balance the books and raise funds to make room for new signings.
Barca is suffering due to the economical crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Koeman tried letting go of club veterans like Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal, and Ivan Rakitic which saved the club approximately €52 million. The sale of Portuguese right-back Nelson Semedo raised further €40 million. Koeman thinks of spending these funds to bolster the squad.
Lack of discipline at Barcelona: Koeman’s concern
Ronald’s first competitive game as the manager turned out to be just fine as Barcelona thrashed Villareal 4-0 at home. The 17-year-old La Masia talent, Ansu Fati, pulled off a brace to show what a brilliant acquisition he is. Club captain and talisman Lionel Messi scored his first goal in the new season. However, there are other things the new manager is worried about.
Ousmane Dembele showed up late in the practice session yet again. This is not the first time the Frenchman committed such a folly. The €145 million signing has not yet done any justice to the price paid for his transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2017. Marca reports Dembele has off-field disciplinary problems as he was late for training on Monday morning.
Dembele needs to step up
Koeman wants his team to act in order and demands respect for deadlines. Dembele surpassed the 10:00 am time given by the boss to arrive at training. The Dutch wants his players present on the pitch at least an hour before the training starts. Dembele is out-of-favor again with Koeman pleased with Griemann, Fati, and Coutinho in his team sheet.
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Dembele overslept and arrived late in training back in the 2018-19 season. Since that incident, Barcelona has taken steps to restrict him from playing late night games and keeping his mobile on silent. Barca even fined the 23-year-old £90,000 for arriving late for training.
The major fuss is Dembele being linked with a move to England with Manchester United interested in the winger. United have not made any bids for the French attacker but they plan to bring him initially on loan with an option to buy at Old Trafford.
