Ronaldinho

[Steve 10,227]

i said this a while back theres no point us signing him we have a midfield capable of playing in english football and if he did come who knows he could play really badly in england and no adapt and there not ppoint forking out millions of pounds for him for a few years while we could be putting the money elsewhere and signing a few younger players and making them stars of the future!!

[Gianfranco_Z 202]

That's a good point St3vo, I'd hate to see players like SWP or J. Cole forced out of the team for some overrated, in it for the money, passed it, 'superstar'.

I strongly hope he doesn't come to us... If he isn't good enough for Barcelona's first team then he is no way good enough for ours!

[.Cee 50]

That's a good point St3vo, I'd hate to see players like SWP or J. Cole forced out of the team for some overrated, in it for the money, passed it, 'superstar'.

I strongly hope he doesn't come to us... If he isn't good enough for Barcelona's first team then he is no way good enough for ours!

Belletti was a 3rd choice RB there and he's 1st choice here now.

If he can find his form back it'd definitely be a great signing, I think...

[the wes 7,212]

Barcelona have warned Chelsea off making a move for Brazil superstar Ronaldinho in the summer.

Ronaldinho has found himself in and out of the Barcelona team this season amid rumours he had fallen out with the management and was out of shape.

He has been linked with big-money moves to Chelsea, Milan and Inter Milan but Barcelona club president Joan Laporta insisted: 'As I have said many times, we don't want to sell Ronaldinho.

He has a contract, and he has said he is happy at this city and this club.

'Barcelona's obligation is to try to help him recover so that he returns to be how he was before. We are very grateful to him for what he has done for us.'

[PaulHopkins 1]

It all depends how serious the Lampard rumours are I guess. I'd much rather keep SWP and Joe Cole though.

[EskWeston 696]

It all depends how serious the Lampard rumours are I guess. I'd much rather keep SWP and Joe Cole though.

Are you seriously saying you would prefer to have SWP as a winger than Ronaldinho???

[the wes 7,212]

Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano has revealed that the club is keen to extend Ronaldinho's current contract.

The Brazilian star's future at Camp Nou has been the subject of intense speculation for the last few months as he has struggled for form and fitness.

Milan and Chelsea have been strongly linked with a summer move for the former Paris Saint Germain ace, but Barca have repeatedly denied rumours of a transfer.

And Soriano has explained that the club are interested in extending Ronaldinho's current deal, which expires in 2010, while revealing that they have received a number of bids for the 27-year-old.

"We have rejected many offers from abroad," Soriano said.

"The player is not for sale, and at the moment we are looking to add a new contract."

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Scored a brilliant penalty yesterday, but still looks a shadow of his former self.

[EskWeston 696]

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has told Sky Sports News that he does not expect Ronaldinho to arrive at Stamford Bridge over the summer.

The Blues have been constantly linked with the Brazilian superstar over the past couple of seasons, but any move for the Barcelona forward would now appear to be out of the question.

With the club keen to establish themselves as a global brand Ronaldinho would appear to have been the perfect poster boy for them to infiltrate the American and Asian markets.

However, despite admitting that the possibility of bringing the two-time World Player of the Year to the club had been discussed in the past, Buck insists that the Blues have other priorities at present.

"Ronaldinho? No, I don't see it being likely that Ronaldinho will be here next year," the chairman told Sky Sports News.

"Anything was a possibility and certainly there had been rumours and discussions of that, but I don't see it happening."

The immediate concern for the Chelsea board is tying England international Frank Lampard down to a new long-term contract and, despite talks being delayed until the end of the season, Buck remains confident that the midfielder will remain at Stamford Bridge.

"We want him to stay and he has said he wants to stay," the American confirmed.

"He also said he'd like to delay discussions until the summer, but I'm optimistic that we'll be able to sort something out.

"It's only because he wants to concentrate on his football.

"He's a wonderful player and a superb guy and we'd like to see him for the long-term at Chelsea football club."

Source: Sky Sports

[chrismada9 1,948]

"Chelsea will not sign Ronaldinho from Barcelona because the Brazilian is 'too old'. (Star)"

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Source

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Sorry but you just gotta laugh at that

[BlueLion. 21,491]

This should be merged with the Ronaldinho thread.

[the wes 7,212]

Ronaldinho's 'strained' relationship with Barcelona could see the Brazilian star leave the Spanish giants in the summer, according to the player's brother and agent Roberto Assis.

The 28-year-old forward's future at Camp Nou has been the subject of intense speculation over the course of the season as he has struggled for form and fitness.

Milan have been strongly linked with a summer move for the former Paris Saint Germain ace, while Chelsea are also reportedly monitoring his situation.

Ronaldinho came under further pressure when recent scans revealed he was not carrying a thigh injury, despite the player's claims to the contrary.

And in light of his seemingly eroding relationship with Barca, Assis has revealed that he is considering invoking article 17 of Fifa's transfer regulations as the value of the release clause in his contract is thought to be prohibitively high.

Criticism

Article 17 allows players to buy out the remainder of their contract under certain circumstances and would likely prove a cheaper option.

Assis told GloboEsporte.com: "The possibility of Ronaldinho leaving Barcelona is always there.

"We are aware of the release clause, but we also know about the existence of article 17. Anything is possible.

"In football, results determine how things go. Barcelona have not won anything since last season and, as Ronaldinho is the star of the team, he is the one who is given the worst criticism."

Assis did not rule out the possibility of Ronaldinho moving to fierce rivals Real Madrid, saying: "It has already happened a number of times, even to big names such as Luis Figo.

"However, I don't like to name specific clubs."

Strained

Assis added that Ronaldinho could stay at the Camp Nou should Barca lift either the Primera Liga or UEFA Champions League title come the end of the season.

He said: "The relationship is strained, but imagine if Barca win the Champions League. They wouldn't let him go if he was a champion, would they?

"With their hands on a title, everything would be different."