Barcelona squad train amid frustration and disbelief
The FC Barcelona first team squad spent much of Monday commenting and observing the latest developments at the club via the player's WhatsApp group.
The fallout from the latest scandal to rock FC Barcelona which involves the club, allegedly hiring a company of social media 'influencers' has not failed to generate interest from the first team squad. AS understands that the first team WhatsApp chat group was busy yesterday evening following the breaking news story which referenced two current active players in Leo Messi and Gerard Piqué.
The reaction from the players ranged from jocular to disbelief and scepticism with the squad failing to grasp how the club can be embroiled in so many problems and off the pitch and scandals which indirectly impact on the players preparation ahead of a key series of fixtures with El Clásico and Champions League games on the horizon.
According to Catalan sports daily, ‘Mundo Deportivo’, Barça president Bartomeu is set to meet directly with both Messi and Piqué in an effort to offer an explanation behind the latest scandal to rock the LaLiga club.
Series of Barcelona issues
From the failed attempt to sign Neymar last summer, a failure to bolster the squad in the winter market despite three players departing, the way Ernesto Valverde's sacking was handled, Xavi Hernández declining to take over as coach, Abidal's interview with Sport where he talked about the intensity level of the squad under Valverde and now the story relating to the hiring of a social media company to curry online favour for the current board, the club have been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons.
The squad are anxious to get answers and everything points to Bartomeu being prepared to offer an explanation to his squad.