“It is clear that with Neymar’s departure the team has lost out offensively,” said Busquets ahead of today’s second leg at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu (kick off 2100GMT). “It’s obvious that you realise what kind of player Ney is.”
Busquets said in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s defeat that Barca had to sign after initial bids to land Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dortmund were rejected last week.
However, the Spanish international believes the only way to move on from Neymar’s decision to jump ship to the French giants is for the Barca squad to be improved overall rather than finding a like-for-like replacement.
“Those that come in will be welcomed. With Neymar’s departure there is a lack of attacking players, but as I said before getting better means improving in all positions and all aspects. Hopefully as many players of the highest quality can come in. There is only one Neymar and now that he is no longer with us we need to look forward and try to improve as a team.”
Barca made Brazilian international midfielder Paulinho their first signing since Neymar’s departure from Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande for 40mn euros on Monday. And despite widespread scepticism over his ability to make an impact in Spain after a disappointing spell at Tottenham Hotspur before his move to China, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde insisted Paulinho will bring a different dimension to the Barca midfield. “From a physical point of view he is a strong player that can offer us versatility,” said Valverde. “There isn’t another player of his type in the team.”
Lejeune adds to Benitez’s defensive concerns
French defender Florian Lejeune will miss several weeks of the campaign after being injured in Newcastle’s opening Premier League defeat by Tottenham, the club said. The news will do nothing to improve manager Rafael Benitez’s mood as he has already expressed his unhappiness at the lack of new faces brought in after Newcastle gained promotion from the second tier Championship last season.
The 26-year-old Lajeune, one of Benitez’s few summer acquisitions who cost the Magpies £8.7million from Spanish outfit Eibar, injured ankle ligaments in a clash with England striker Harry Kane during the 2-0 defeat on Sunday. His injury adds to Benitez’s concerns at fullback as Paul Dummett has a hamstring problem he suffered in the same match. Newcastle next face a trip to fellow promoted side Huddersfield, who got off to a flying start in their debut season in the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace, on Sunday.
Llorente returns to
training to boost Swansea
Spanish international striker Fernando Llorente could be ready to play for Swansea City against Crystal Palace on Saturday week after returning to training, manager Paul Clement said. The 32-year-old Spaniard — who has been linked with a reunion with his former Juventus boss Antonio Conte at champions Chelsea — has recovered from the broken arm he suffered on a family cycling holiday in Italy in July.
However, Clement said Llorente, whose 15 goals played a crucial role in maintaining Swansea’s Premier League status last season, would not be ready for the visit of Manchester United this weekend as he had lost a lot of upper body muscle. Llorente’s return to first-team action would be a welcome boost for Swansea, who are without playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson as the Icelandic international looks to complete a £50-million transfer to Everton.
Tevez to return to China
after Argentina treatment
Carlos Tevez has been granted a return to his native Argentina for treatment on a calf injury, but only after agreeing in writing to return to Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua before the end of the month.
Speculation has been mounting in local media that the former Manchester United and Juventus forward was attempting to orchestrate a move back to Boca Juniors, who sold the 33-year-old to Shenhua for 11mn euros ($12.93mn) in January.
He has played just 11 times in the league for Shenhua, scoring twice, with his fitful performances blamed on the injury that first occurred in April. Tevez asked Shenhua to allow him to return to his native Buenos Aires for further treatment. Tevez signed a two-year contract with the CSL side in January and according to media reports earns wages in the region of $800,000, making him one of the highest paid players in the world. However, a clause in the deal that saw him move from Boca Juniors states the Argentinian club must repay more than half of the transfer fee should the striker not complete two seasons with Shenhua. Tevez has not played in the last two games and will now miss today’s first leg of the Chinese FA Cup against second division Shanghai Shenxin.
