The Big Interview with Graham Hunter

Jules Kounde once kicked his mum as a furious kid but Barcelona's new signing now has an even temperament to match his talent. In my latest column for EPSN FC, I reflect on Kounde's musical passion, the influence of Gus Poyet on his career and how patience proved to be his biggest virtue in snubbing Chelsea for a move to the Camp Nou.

There's been a great deal written and said about Barcelona's financial operation during the close season. They have mortgaged many of their tomorrows in an attempt to find their way out of a financial crisis. The Polish striker is the biggest bet of all.Why? Because, as I argue here in a piece I wrote for ESPNFC, he is the one piece they hope will make a difference in a competition whose riches can begin to pay off their suffocating debt: the Champions League.It could be a happy marriage - but Lewandowski has high standards and his new employer and his new teammates must match them.

I wasn't in Las Vegas for this one, but I was as transfixed by the latest chapter of the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid as usual.So many storylines - and I hope most of them are in here. Hazard fails as false 9. Piqué the bad guy. Araújo versus Vinicius forever. Enter Lewandowski.And in all of that, Raphina emerges as the hero.You might have missed it. Here's my take.