The die is finally cast. With many rumors already suggesting the transfer, the European RLCS Season 8 League Play MVP Daniel “Bluey” Bluett has been released from the FC Barcelona roster. The captain formed the team alongside Dave “Deevo” Morrow and Yanis “Alpha54” Champenois back in RLRS during RLCS Season 6 and was signed by FC Barcelona when they promoted to the RLCS. He will be replaced by the Dutchman Hrant “Flakes” Yakoub, who was announced in a gloriously flaky video.
And finally, we want to introduce our newest player. Somebody that you may have heard of already. Welcome to your new home, @Flakes_RL. pic.twitter.com/gDWPyVN6iJ
— Barça eSports (@FCBeSports) January 17, 2020
Flakes relegates but makes it back into the RLCS
Flakes had been one to keep an eye on before his debut in the RLCS last season through his impressive skills in the 1v1 scene. During his first Rival Series season, his team Complexity was one of the favorites but ended up nearly losing out on a chance at promotion. The game win differential tiebreaker was on their side, however, and saw Complexity end in second place — and therefore the playoffs for promotion.
After they qualified convincingly for RLCS Season 8 though, things went south. Flakes had tried to convince teammate Joonas “Mognus” Salo to replace their third man, Marius “gReazymeister” Ranheim, to which Mognus disagreed. Flakes then left the team to look for greener pastures, but he ultimately had to concede that he would not find a new team and came running back to Complexity with his tail between his legs. Complexity agreed to take him back on, trying to look past the whole ordeal, but the damage had been done. The trust was gone and the synergy was nowhere to be found.
Complexity relegated with an 0-7 record. They lost four game fives, so their final score could have been a lot better if they had managed to close out those series, but ultimately the team was simply not up to par. After they relegated, Complexity released the roster, who subsequently split up.
Flakes now avoids relegation by joining Deevo and Aldin “Ronaky” Hodzic, who replaced Alpha54 last season on FCB. He follows the example of former teammate Mognus, who joined TSM and therefore remains in the RLCS as well.
LETS GOOO! So excited to play with @RonakyRL and @Deevo and to represent @FCBeSports <3 https://t.co/fzfwbMtfTF
— Flakes (@Flakes_RL) January 17, 2020
Bluey falls to the Rival Series
Bluey, on the other hand, does the opposite and will join Triple Trouble down in the Rival Series. There is only one more spot open in all of the European RLCS over at mousesports, which is reserved for Kyle “Scrub Killa” Robertson. With Bluey’s addition, Triple Trouble look like the favorite to take first place in the Rival Series and therefore earn direct promotion to the RLCS for Season 10. Of course, this remains Rocket League, so anything might happen…
