Barcelona technical director Robert Fernandez has taken a dig at Real Madrid. Los Blancos were largely inactive this transfer window, with the resigning of Alvaro Morata the only major arrival. Barcelona, on the other hand, have signed 6 high profile players this transfer window.
Fernandez seemed to criticise Real Madrid’s transfer policy of buying high-profile players like James Rodriguez and Isco and keeping them on the bench. Speaking to RAC1, Fernandez said:
"European teams that cannot make investments is because they make large investments who do not play," .
"They are making large investments. It's sometimes difficult to improve the bench.
"They have players who do not play and have cost a lot of money."
This time, the roles have been somewhat reversed in the transfer market, with Barcelona splashing the cash, while Madrid have encouraged youth like Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz.
Madrid did try to sign midfielder Andre Gomes from Valencia, but the Portuguese superstar picked the Catalan side. He revealed the major reason for picking Barcelona:
"It's an honour to wear this shirt," he told reporters at his unveiling. "I've fulfilled a dream for me and my family, I had to choose and I chose the best team.
"Each team has their own style, and Barcelona fits mine best. It has to do with my identity, philosophy and what I consider important to football."
Andre Gomes will have tough competition to get a spot in the starting XI with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic already established in Barcelona's starting XI. However, Gomes was excited by the daunting prospect:
"I have time to grow here, it is a great feeling and I will do what I can to improve," he added. "It is true there are many great players in the midfield here."I want to learn, these players are my reference as I'm just 22-years-old."
Andre Gomes will be one of the few players to have the opportunity to play with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and the Portuguese midfielder was eager to play with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar."I play with Ronaldo for Portugal, now I get to perform with Messi, I'm also happy to appear with Neymar and Suarez," he said.
"Playing with these players, and Iniesta too, was part of my decision."
But above all, Gomes has one clear objective in mind this season."The most important thing is to win titles," he concluded.
