It’s completely overblown. This usually happens to him in the NT, when they;re in shambles. However now that’s its Barca are garbage the same or similar stories are coming out. He hates a new player weekly according to some. Ivan was named a month ish ago. When Messi “ignored” him but hugged his other teams mates before the game. People see a 5 second video out of context and draw their own conclusions. Going back to the NT for a second prior to the Russia World Cup Pavon was linked to Barca because Messi was in love with his talent. Pavon is not playing in the MLS. He was also picking the team and deciding tactics yet his best friend was stapled to the bench in a knockout stage game. He makes transfers yet Greizz another player he hates was bought. This isn’t new mind you, he also hated Tello and Sanchez this is just on top of my head. Now he doesn’t respect the coach or his assistant yet
So did he all of a sudden have an epiphany and now respects the assistant? We have no clue as to what happens in the dressing room, who knows if they like one another to draw conclusions over a few second video is utter nonsense. Either way these guys are in way over their head coaching for Barca. Just as I suspected. I think he a good dude like Valverde but we need good coaches not nice guys.
With regards to the first paragraph, I agree with everything you wrote. I said as much earlier today and it amazes me what comes out about transfers and such. However regarding Sarabia situation the footage from the Celta match is very clear:
Not the best clip and it's long, but if you go to about halfway through and watch you'll see that Messi very clearly ignores Sarabia, twice. In the one instance that is more clear he literally turns his back to him and walks away. I'm sorry, but the circumstances where I would find that acceptable are so highly unlikely that they surely didn't happen. If there's a scenario to justify Messi here that likely happened I'd love to know what it is.
Now if things are water under the bridge so be it. I'm fine with that. However I do not want to see players who play for my club doing what Messi and Rakitic did and saying what Suarez said. It shouldn't be tolerated by any supporter regardless of what any of those players have done and regardless of how bad our management team may be. I'm fine if they apologize and work things out, but then I never want to see it again.
The reason why there's a narrative is because in this instance it makes sense. The players had an issue when Lucho was manager. Then they didn't when Valverde was manager. Now that Setien and Sarabia are in charge they've got issues again. It doesn't strike me as coincidence that Lucho and Sarabia are more outspoken and more disciplinarian than Valverde and all of sudden some players have issues.
As for Setien and Sarabia, I think they inherited a really difficult situation. Mid-season start so no preseason, Suarez and Dembele out, one of your four CBs who you really could have used loaned out, squad out of shape and some of the players seemingly impervious to certain types of feedback. When the players actually show some intensity you can actually see the difference in the level of play from when Valverde was in charge. However for some reason it drops off and I'm talking relatively early in a match and it's back to the old ways under Valverde. That said I think they seem to be managing with fear. Fear of failure and a fear to upset the apple cart.
He should be an out an out starter. I actually didn’t want him to start today because of how Atleti play. Thought they would rough him up and he wouldn’t be used to grown man hacking at him. Costa that poor excuse of a striker chopped him down Puig passed with flying colors. Wonderful wonderful wonderful player. It’s a good feeling when you see a kid who has tremendous potential finally gets to show it. Says a lot about Setein and Valverde of how conservative they are.
I agree, he definitely needs to be a starter. He should be the #1 midfielder on the team sheet right now. For me it's a fantastic feeling to see this kid do what he's doing after seeing his potential a couple of years ago. So happy to see him experience his dream and to see a youth team player be a part of the first team.
Like I posted earlier today, the kid is tough. He showed it against AC Milan and Arsenal two Summers ago in preseason. One player for one of those teams was even targeting him and he stood up to it all. He's also been hacked a lot this season while playing with the B team. I think I posted a video or two earlier in the season.
I think you have to be fair to Setien. You might argue he should have played him sooner, but he's seen what Puig can do and has stuck with him. I don't know that Valverde would have given him the same chance much less stuck with him as much as Setien has. Whatever Setien's legacy and Puig's legacy the player will very likely always remember him as the manager who gave him his chance.