Can a club player –who has fallen in category–, man of the house and symbol, accept the offer of his eternal rival –eternal and only great rival– and wear his shirt without anyone treating him as a mercenary, sellout or pesetero?
Would the Barça fans accept a player whose heart is elsewhere (as has happened and happens –secretly– with so many footballers who sympathized with Real Madrid, for example)?
Does Sergi Darder have to carry on his shoulders the entire weight of a sentimental football that no longer exists and stop ascending – objectively – in addition to giving up more money in the final stretch of his career?
Sergi Darder is a different footballer, a bit like De la Peña, but with more discipline and a great shot, an unusual resource among FC Barcelona’s midfielders. A great passer, who one imagines providing assists to Lewandowski. One, wow, Darder loves it…
Several Primera clubs want Darder, a desire that has been heightened by the possibility of obtaining his services at bargain prices. The loan of Joselu has come out as a bargain for Real Madrid, as a bargain it was for Rayo Vallecano to hire Raúl de Tomás. In this of the ruinous businesses on account of the transfers, Barça and Espanyol are quite similar. His is not excellence…
The unofficial interest of FC Barcelona –even if it is in the form of a trial– opens an exceptional debate and more typical of the 20th century. RCD Espanyol is owned by a businessman from the People’s Republic of China, but no one expects sentimental fidelity from him that would lead him to lose money. Business is business and football is a global business. Now, all this realism could disappear if Sergi Darder ended up wearing the Barcelona shirt. What would the RCD Espanyol fans do? Applaud the son who emancipates himself –and leaves funds in the treasury– or brand him treason? I, if he were a parakeet, being a guy as dedicated as Darder, I would be generous…
But since I’m not a parakeet – and I still remember the disappointment and the culé tantrum due to the departure of Luis Figo – I’m afraid that the parties cool off what could be a good deal for all of them and Darder goes to another team in worse conditions for him and for the club, which would do so well some income. There is, of course, another option: to continue at RCD Espanyol in the Second Division, at 29 years of age. I would honor him because these things are no longer carried in football.
Whatever happens, Darder carries an excessive amount of responsibility on his shoulders. Will he be the last romantic –or fool– in a soulless football?
