The summer tantrum

Wounded in dignity. Offended. This was Athletic Club's reaction to the reactivation of Nico Williams's signing by Barça , one year later. A reaction as understandable and natural as the player's desire to take a step forward in his professional career. Therefore, it is very important to carefully gauge the duration and intensity of the drama and the outbursts arising from the offense to avoid overacting bordering on the ridiculous.

Athletic Club seems to have as its highest aspiration to be the revealer of class

In fact, unfortunately, the latest example dates back just a few days, with Espanyol 's huge insult over Joan Garcia's departure to Barça. And now, Athletic Club's top brass are showing clear signs of heading down the same sad path. Wanting to retain your star player, not opening the door easily for him to leave, is part of any club's self-esteem. But in recent hours, the Basque club has gone too far.

Warning the Liga that they will audit Barça's financial operations to ensure they are within the law is a touch of arrogance on the part of Athletic Club, which seems to have as its ultimate aspiration to be the whistleblower of the class.

If Nico Williams, who wanted to leave last summer and ended up staying, asks you to leave again, this time with firmness and determination. It's important to accept it with grace, handle it with a cool head, and escort the Navarrese winger to the exit door in exchange for an amount that is as beneficial to you as possible. And that's it.

On the other hand, it's understandable that Athletic Club isn't very familiar with this current situation, as it generally has to play the other role: that of a powerful and attractive club. Athletic Club is the one that usually signs the most notable Basque players for Osasuna or Real Sociedad . And Real Sociedad is the one that acquires the best players from other, more modest Basque clubs. Just as Espanyol takes the pearls of the Damm or Barça handball team, the most brilliant players from BM Granollers. That's how it works.

Marcelino García Toral, who gave Nico Williams his La Liga debut in April 2021, summed it up naturally: "A footballer is at a great club and must want to take another step in his career." No more, no less. As simple and naturally evolving as that. Wanting to move forward isn't incompatible with giving full recognition and even esteem to the club you're leaving. Especially if what you're doing with your departure is a professional step forward and not an act of malice.

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Joan Garcia has already given a lesson in elegance and respect to the blue and white faithful. Perhaps they weren't aware of this in Bilbao, but the time has come to abandon the offended act and overacted indignation. The alternative is to throw a ridiculous tantrum this summer.