FC Barcelona News: 16 May 2012; Alexis Sanchez Resumes Training, Start Date of 2012-2013 La Liga Season Announced

New La Liga season to kick off on August 18 - Goal.com
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the LFP have revealed that the 2012-13 Primera Division season will begin on the weekend of August 18 and 19. This is in line with the schedule for the recently concluded 2011-12 campaign, which was slated to kick off on August 20 but was postponed by a week due to player strike action.

Alexis returns to training with the first team | FC Barcelona
Alexis Sánchez, who injured his left thigh in the Rayo-Barça match (0-7), trained with normality today during the Barça’s first training session after this weekend’s match against Betis (2-2). The first-team footballers can now exclusively focus on the King’s Cup Final scheduled for May 25.

Eleven Barça candidates for Onze d’Or | FC Barcelona
Eleven different FC Barcelona players have been nominated for the Onze d’Or, the prize given annually by the French magazine ‘Onze Mondial’ to the eleven best players in the world, one for each position. They are Valdés, Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Alexis and Messi.

21 players in four matches | FC Barcelona
What is the best use to make of your squad ahead of a cup final? How much time should each player be given on the pitch? A review of the last four league matches played by FC Barcelona (Rayo, Málaga, Espanyol and Betis), in which there was nothing of major importance at stake, Guardiola has given chances to as many as 21 different members of his squad.

Sergio Busquets: "There’s a lot left in this team" | FC Barcelona
At this stage of the season it is only typical for there to be talk of possible comings and goings, but Sergio Busquets reckons there’s plenty left in the current FC Barcelona squad. They are still very young and "we’re keen to carry on winning, we’re ambitious and of course we’ll carry on that way."

Jose Angel in Barca claim - Yahoo! Eurosport
"It is pleasing to know that you are of interest to a team like Barcelona," Angel told Com Radio. "They are one of the strongest teams in the world. "There was contact with Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon last summer, but no agreement was ever reached. "You can’t say no to Barcelona."

Drogba to Barca link remains | Sky Sports
The noises coming out of Camp Nou suggest the 34-year-old Chelsea striker does not figure on their radar, with it their intention to look at younger options. Rumours continues to circulate, though, and an agent by the name of Francois Gallardo claims he has been given permission by Drogba to speak with Barca.

Eusebio: "Ilie's return is the best news of the season" | FC Barcelona
"We’re happy and pleased." That’s how Eusebio Sacristán explained Barça B’s reaction to the news that Ilie was given medical clearance to play after recovering from his heel injury that’s kept him off the pitch for the entire season. "It’s the story of the day and of the season," said the Barça manager.

Real success | Sky Sports
But to add to previous misdemeanours their title win last week included further examples of why they aren't as popular beyond their own supporters - such as Cristiano having a row with Javi Martinez, Jose Mourinho mentioning his personal tally of seven league title winners medals and perhaps more importantly beating the team most people fell in love with. In fact, that last element makes the success of Real Madrid even more deserving of praise.

Roberto Di Matteo: Chelsea won't swap Fernando Torres for Falcao - ESPN Soccernet
Reports in sections of the English and Spanish media had suggested that Chelsea were looking to swap Torres - who came through the ranks at the Madrid club, and was appointed captain at 19 - and £15 million for Falcao, as the £50 million Spaniard has struggled for goals at Stamford Bridge since moving from Liverpool at the start of 2011.