Saturday, July 23, 2011

VILLAS-BOAS: WHY I WANT ORIOL ROMEU

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Andre Villas, speaking in Bangkok, has announced that Chelsea has agreed terms with Barcelona for the transfer of Oriol Romeu, a 19-year-old defensive midfielder.
The player has yet to agree personal terms or pass a medical and is currently away with the Spain Under 20 squad which is soon to compete in the World Cup for that age level in Columbia.
'I don't want to speak too much about him because he is not our player,' Villas-Boas added.
'It is a part of the squad in which we are struggling with numbers because of Michael Essien's injury and Oriol is a player with a bright future. He still has to evolve as a player.
'The Barcelona B team had a magnificent year in the Spanish second division, they finished third. Oriol had an injury during the season but he came back late on and was in time to play for the first team. So he is one of the most promising young players in that position and hopefully we can agree personal terms and hopefully he will pass a medical.'
Oriol began with Barcelona's smaller neighbours Espanyol before joining the famous Camp Nou academy in 2004, progressing through the ranks until a reserve team regular playing in Spain's second tier under Luis Enrique.

He made his La Liga debut for the senior Barça side at the end of last season, coming on as a late substitute in a 0-0 draw against Deportivo La Coruna, having also appeared at the beginning of the campaign in a Spanish Supercup loss away at Sevilla.

The 6ft Catalan can also play in central defence and is renowned for his strength and his expansive passing ability.
Villas-Boas also had news on Thibaut Courtois, the 19-year-old goalkeeper who is on the verge of finalising a move from Belgium and is subject to news reports that he is to be loaned out to Atletico Madrid.
'It is also a question of time and of deciding where we think it is better for him to evolve as a player, in Spain or in another country,' the manager reported.
'The Spanish League is an extremely competitive league and Atletico is a great club to be at but it is not decided yet on his future.
'It is still a couple of days until we can confirm agreement between all three parties.'

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