Well, one of them, the headline should be because Argentina behaved disgustingly with many very negative episodes, a sad sortie for Lionel Messi from the international stage.
Valentin Barco was in the middle of one of the most heated events in World Cup history. Now he will be Chelsea’s newest reinforcement.
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Chelsea’s summer hunt for new players is intensifying – and Argentina’s World Cup “badboy” Valentin Barco is poised to be the final piece of Xabi Alonso’s puzzle.
Alonso wants to renew a squad that ended without European games after another chaotic season. Enzo Maresca left the club in January, and his replacement Liam Rosenior lasted just under four months in the manager’s seat.
The Blues shattered the British transfer record last week when they beat arch-rivals Arsenal in the battle for Morgan Rogers – after paying Aston Villa a staggering £117 million.
Much of that sum is covered by Alejandro Garnacho going the opposite way – first on loan, but with an obligation to buy for £50 million – after one very disappointing season in west London.
More signings on the way
Chelsea are also expected to welcome Geovany Quenda – the Portuguese talent – into the first-team squad after another loan year at Sporting Lisbon. In addition, right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta will be available.
Strengthening the defence is a priority for Alonso, after Chelsea struggled mightily at the back last season – not least due to serious knee injuries to Levi Colwill.
The England international is expected to be a key piece for Alonso, and could benefit from the fact that Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace is increasingly being mentioned as a likely newcomer.
Alonso also wants a left-back, after Marc Cucurella left the club for Real Madrid. The Spaniard, who won the World Cup with Spain, is one of several who have moved from Brighton to Chelsea in recent years – and his replacement also has links with the south coast club.
Barco – from Brighton via Strasbourg to Chelsea
Barco moved from Boca Juniors to Brighton two years ago, but only made six Premier League appearances before being sent on to Strasbourg.
After 18 months in Ligue 1, the 22-year-old is on the move again. According to Fabrizio Romano, all papers have been signed – the aggressive full-back will become a Chelsea player in a matter of days.
But Barco will have to rely on a thunderous reception from his opponents’ fans – after the role he played when England crashed out of the World Cup.
The fight with Bellingham
In the frayed semi-final between England and Argentina, Enzo Fernández scored the equaliser – and Barco, who was sitting on the bench, ran onto the pitch and taunted several English players, including Jude Bellingham.
When Lautaro Martínez scored the winning goal in injury time, Bellingham stormed over to Barco, slapped the future Chelsea player and gestured furiously right in front of his face.
If they meet again in Europe one day, it will hardly be a friendly reunion.
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