Must admit, last time I went to Barca the other month, the appeal was a bit diluted. But then, no big signing of Barca's is ever going to be spending much time wandering round the over crowded tourist areas of the town. Go a little bit up into the hills, and the jobs a good un. Madrid aswell. ****ing amazing city. And that Real just happen to be there is a proper bonus! I left Manchester myself 30 years ago. Never going back to live. Much as I love it, don't wanna live there. But, you know, pay me what City and United pay and I'd consider it.
I love Mcr. Ok the weather's not great but it's the best city in the country, and I've spent time in a few. It's just got a different feel to it. The lifestyle anywhere in the UK isn't going to compare to Barcelona or Madrid.
The thing is that players are always travelling. It’s not like they have a 9-5 job in one city. They are always moving around. Even if you somehow play for Chelsea in the heart of London, you will spend many nights up north. So when fans go on about lifestyle in x-city, I don’t think it’s a well thought out reason. Besides, most of these cities are themselves upgraded from what they were decades ago. And with the obscene salary that these players make, you could literally be anywhere whenever you want. But then again, the wags will have something to say about it, I guess! Overall, many players have gone with the dream of the two clubs in Spain, yet as many have failed with the dream turned into a nightmare.
Little story; when I got on a train to go to the interview down here and the train pulled out of Piccadilly (platform 14 iirc!) I never, ever, thought that I'd be going anywhere other than short term. Ever. I used to go home every weekend. In my Fiat Uno. But, I wake up and look at the sea every morning. And every day the sea is on my shoulder. Which is better than being in Salford tbph.
I live Swansea west, Mumbles pretty much. There are more than one Rhos I'd say, which one? The one I'm familiar with would be the one near Neath.
The Barca players live a very indulged lifestyle in gated resort compounds that feature every conceivable luxury for the players and their WAGs. The city is safe and alive throughout the year and the towns and villages that surround it are home to some of the finest restaurants in the world. The stadium rebuild is progressing and the new development will be world class - shame Barca won't be playing any serious competition there as they are about to be indicted for bribing match officials and the Spanish football authorities have been looking for an excuse to **** Barca for years - this could well be it.
They clearly have governance issues in Spain along with their geopolitical situation with Catalonia. How Real survived those years of being completely scrapped for cash is still a modern day miracle, but somehow it happened. But if Barca gets fked for bribery, they would have fully deserved it.
Well yeah, because that could mean you can also see Old Trafford and live on the Quays. Depends where you are, you could also be in Warrington!!
I never go on the Pool board, has he not posted for a while? Every couple of years he'll come on here and still call me Rufflad, and then disappear for another couple of years!