FC Barcelona News; 29 December 2011; Sandro Rosell Proposes Changes, Barça to Hold Public Training Session

Barca chief slams agent fees - Yahoo! Eurosport
"I have always asked myself why, when an agent is representing a player and he comes to negotiate his contract with the club, why is the club paying the agency fees?" Rosell said at a conference in Dubai on Wednesday. Transfers are big business and agents' cuts can run into millions of pounds.

NextGen clubs following Barcelona's blueprint | Mail Online
When Barcelona outclassed the South American champions Santos to lift the Club World Cup in Japan earlier this month, it showcased a remarkable achievement. Not so much Pep Guardiola’s 13th trophy in three years or his side’s fifth of the calendar year. Barca won with nine homegrown players in their starting XI and two more coming off the bench.

Cuenca’s unexpected and incredible year | FC Barcelona
In July this year, Isaac Cuenca began the season with Barça B, with the goal of consolidating his place in the reserve team, after his excellent loan period with Sabadell. In the previous season he was one of the key players in Sabadell’s promotion from Second Division B to Second Division A. Isaac Cuenca couldn’t have imagined six months ago that, in the first half of the season, he would play more games with the first team than with the reserves.

Fortress Camp Nou: 12 victories and 2 draws in official games | FC Barcelona
Barça finished the year with an unbelievable home record. For the first time in history they haven’t conceded a single goal in the first nine League games. Barça’s numbers are the best in the 2011/12 League Championship, on their own pitch: 8 wins and 1 draw with 39 goals scored and none against.

'In this room, he's the f***ing boss' - the best quotes of 2011 in Spain - Goal.com
"In this room he (Jose Mourinho) is the f***ing chief, the f***king boss, and I can never compete with that. If Barcelona want someone who competes in that way, then they should look for another manager. But we, as people and an institution, don't do that." - Pep Guardiola

FC Barcelona to hold open to the public training session | FC Barcelona
Like every year, FC Barcelona is giving its members and supporters an Epiphany (Dia de los Reyes) gift next week as the team will hold an open to the public training session. This year, the session will take place on Thursday, January 5 at 11.30 hrs at the Miniestadi. Access to Club members is free, while non-member supporters have to pay 5 euros.

Cristiano Ronaldo: La Liga is better than the Premier League - ESPN Soccernet
Ronaldo, speaking at an international sports conference in Dubai, stated his preference for the style on offer in Spain as he continues his third season in Madrid. The 26-year-old Portugal international previously spent six years at Manchester United, and ackowledged the impact his time at Old Trafford had on his development before making the switch to the Bernabeu in 2009.

Sporting Braga to send Fran Merida back to Atletico Madrid - report - Goal.com
On-loan Sporting Braga midfielder Fran Merida is set to return to Atletico Madrid in January after failing to convince coach Leonardo Jardim of his worth, according to a report. The 21-year-old had originally joined the Primeira Liga outfit on a season-long loan deal from Atleti, but his spell appears to have come to an end after just seven appearances and one goal.

New deal for Iñigo Pérez | LFP
Athletico Club and the midfielder Iñigo Pérez reached agreement on Wednesday December 28th on a contract extension that will bind the player to the rojiblancos until June 30th 2015.

Villarreal's 'Yellow Submarine' facing rough waters this season -- Graham Hunter -- soccer - ESPN
Currently sitting fourth bottom in La Liga's table and one bad result off second bottom, Villarreal was knocked out of the Copa del Rey by third division minnow Deportivo Mirandes just before the winter break. Garrido put out an absolutely top drawer starting XI -- no way was he taking this less than seriously -- but his side lost 2-0 at home. Garrido was sacked.

Molina excited by challenge | Sky Sports
Jose Molina believes that hard work will turn around Villarreal's season, as he prepares for his first day as head coach after succeeding Juan Carlos Garrido at the helm. The former Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo goalkeeper has been handed the reins at El Madrigal following a successful spell in charge of the club's C and B teams.

Adu to train with Rayo | Sky Sports
Philadelphia Union playmaker Adu, along with a number of MLS stars, is utilising the close-season break in North America to spend time in Europe training. The 22-year-old, who was labelled as the next big thing as a teenager, is not expected to join the Spanish club permanently.