Ousmane Dembele a ‘better player than Neymar,’ says Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu ahead of Manchester United match
Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele is now a better player than Neymar, according to the man who signed him, Josep Bartomeu.The Barca president oversaw Neymar’s 198m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, with Dembele arriving from Borussia Dortmund shortly afterwards for 135m and Philippe Coutinho joining the club from Liverpool in January 2018 for 142m.Bartomeu signed Dembele for 135m in August 2017 shortly after selling Neymar to PSG4
Bartomeu signed Dembele for 135m in August 2017 shortly after selling Neymar to PSG
Both players are adequate replacements, says Bartomeu.“I explained that we have a project with Dembele and Coutinho with Neymar’s money,’ he told Spanish television channel TVE.“Dembele’s level is better now than Neymar’s, he’s a much better player than Neymar and he’s already adapted.” The Camp Nou supremo was also full of praise for former Liverpool star Coutinho, who has been linked with a move away from Barcelona recently.However, it appears the 26-year-old Brazil international is going nowhere.“Coutinho is a great player, excellent, he’s getting better and better,” he added.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
  • Barcelona vs Manchester United (Tuesday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
  • Juventus vs Ajax (Tuesday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • Porto vs Liverpool (Wednesday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
  • Napoli vs Arsenal (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest (Friday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • Leeds vs Wigan (Friday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • Sunderland vs Doncaster (Friday, 5:15pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • Newcastle vs Southampton (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
  • Accrington Stanley vs Luton (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
  • Everton vs Manchester United (Sunday, 1:30pm) – talkSPORT
  • Cardiff vs Liverpool (Sunday, 4pm) – talkSPORT
“It’s not easy to play at Barca – he was here six months last season and he’s complete now. He has the confidence of [Ernesto Valverde] the coach. He’s a global player and we expect a lot. from him.“He will continue at Barca. He’s different and Barca needs different players.”Neymar cost PSG 198m in 2017, but Bartomeu believes Dembele, who replaced him in Spain, is now a much better playerGetty4
Neymar cost PSG 198m in 2017, but Bartomeu believes Dembele, who replaced him in Spain, is now a much better player
Philippine Coutinho ‘will continue at Barca’ says club president Josep Bartomeu4
Philippine Coutinho ‘will continue at Barca’ says club president Josep Bartomeu
On Tuesday night, live on talkSPORT at 8pm, LaLiga’s leaders host Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.Lionel Messi is fit to play, having suffered a facial injury in the first leg in a clash with Chris Smalling. The forward was rested for Saturday’s goalless draw at bottom club, Huesca.Barca lead 1-0 from the first leg and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will use United’s dramatic turnaround in the previous round against PSG as inspiration.Barcelona players train ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Man United4
Barcelona players train ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Man United
“It will have helped us as a team,” the Norwegian said. “We know we can turn things around.“Barca here at the Nou Camp is a difficult prospect but that night will live with the players. It was not that long ago and we are one goal better off [than we were then].”Solskjaer confirmed forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Nemanja Matic are both available for the tie after recovering from injuries.Sanchez, who played 141 times for Barca in a three-year spell, has been out for six weeks with a knee injury while Matic has missed the past three games.
Alexis Sanchez posted this mocked up image on social media

Transfer news LATEST: Manolo Gabbiadini, Joleon Lescott, Patrice Evra and more Sunderland sign defender Joleon Lescott on deal until the end of the season Southampton make £14million offer for in
Premier League - talkSPORT - feeds.feedburner.com
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri

Jaap Stam hits back at David Moyes over his Manchester United comments. The former Man Utd manager said that not a lot has changed since he was sacked as manager in 2014.
~ Manchester United news: Jaap Stam hits back at David Moyes
Charlton's controversial owner Roland Duchatelet breaks silence to tell talkSPORT: 'These protests have no reason'

My classwork was very untidy, and my handwriting was the despair of my teachers. But my classmates gave me the nickname Einstein, so presumably they saw signs of something better. When I was 12, one of my friends bet another friend a bag of sweets that I would never amount to anything.
Messi was outside of the top three for the Ballon d’Or since 2006

tv deal issues The sides want a bigger share of the new deal which is due to begin next season Leeds United, Aston Villa and Derby are among 15 UK News | World News | Latest News | Sports | Latest Nigerian News
15 Championship clubs 'threaten breakaway' from Football
Sheffield Wednesday players celebrate

FEE AGREED? The Tottenham manager is understood to be the no.1 choice to take over full-time, with Solskjaer was appointed as caretaker until the end of the season after Jose Mourinho's sacking Manchester United and Molde have reportedly agreed a fee if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer becomes permanent manager of the Red Devils in the summer.
Manchester United and Molde agree fee if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Sessegnon clearly learnt a lot during his days as a full-back

Everton sign Jonas Lossl on three-year deal after Huddersfield exit Mirror.co.uk 12:06 24-May-19 Everton sign goalkeeper Jonas Lossl on free transfer as back-up to Jordan Pickford The Telegraph 12:02 24-May-19
Will Nuno rain on Liverpool’s parade?

Lacazette will miss next week's second leg after seeing red for an elbow on BATE ace Aleksandar Filipovic in the dying embers of the 1-0 defeat in Belarus. He wrote on Twitter: "Letting the team down like that is the worst feeling. "I should have stayed calm but it's not always easy. Sorry.
Bate Borisov 1-0 Arsenal: Gunners suffer defeat in Belarus
Steven Gerrard spent 17 seasons in the first-team at Liverpool.

'Another spy in the camp' - John Terry and Jody Morris poke fun at Leeds United while celebrating reaching Championship Play-Off Final fpnews May 18, 2019 0 John Terry has poked fun at Leeds United whilst celebrating reaching the Championship Play-Off Final.
Championship Play-Off Final: Back Aston Villa 11/1 or Derby
Steven Gerrard led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005 and fans still talk about now, says Rooney

Brazil legend Pele backs Liverpool to win Premier League title in Kenny Dalglish birthday message. The Reds slipped into second in the table on Sunday after they were held to goalless draw by
Pele backs Liverpool for Premier League | The Anfield Rock
theanfieldrock.co.uk/off-beat/brazil-legend-pele-tips-liverpool-for-premier-league-title-but-once-again-forgets-this-player/13/08/2018/
Liverpool have found another backer for the Premier League title and it is none other than Brazil legend Pele. The former Santos striker shared a tweet where he asked his followers who would win the Premier League and he named Liverpool as his choice.
Pele backs Liverpool to win the Premier League title - Read
Juventus’ outgoing coach Massimiliano Allegri celebrates winning the Scudetto for a fifth time in five years

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The 24-year-old is eager to move on this summer after becoming frustrated over his lack of first-team opportunities with Madrid. Sky Sports' Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that Chelsea have now registered their interest in the Croatian.
Report: Tottenham will attempt to hijack Chelsea's Mateo
Danny Drinkwater was charged with drink driving

Real Madrid have completed the signing of Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt, with the highly-rated striker penning a six-year contract with the Blancos. 70m Real Madrid move on six-year
Official: Real Madrid sign Luka Jovic on six-year deal
The midfielder halted several dangerous attacks for the Bundesliga champions

~ League Two: Yeovil drop out of the Football League after collapse at Northampton ~ Kenya Latest
Yeovil drop out of the Football League after collapse at