The season 2013/2014 would be remembered by Barcelona fans as the worst season since the pre Guardiola era. It ended trophyless, as a club as big as Barcelona should not regard winning the supercup a trophy. The highlight of the season was winning both league clasicos but even that was sour, as we do that normally. The writing was on the wall for Gerdado Matino and he quickly resigned claiming the expectation of living up to Guardiola was too much for him. Hence the club acted wisely and brought in Luis Enrique a barca boy, in a change of management that should have happened a year earlier had it not been for the fact that he had already signed for Celta vigo.
Luis Enrique looks a good fit. A barca boy, loves the clubs values, coached the B team, he did a great job with Celta vigo taking them from relegation candidates to a respectable 9th place in the league. The only disappointment in his career was his time in charge of Roma were it can be said he wasn't given enough time. Another problem with Enrique is that he doesn't have champions league experience. However, the real work has to be done in the team itself with several players needed, and I examine the kind of players here.
In goal, Victor Valdez and Pinto have gone and would be forever be remembered for their services. They have been replaced with Andre Ter stergen and Claudio Bravo. Its a very interesting situation here; we have one experienced keeper and one talented one. I personally would love Ter stegen to keep goal, although his record for Germany isn't that good, I've seen him play a few times (I remember when he saved Messi's penalty for Germany) he's good with his feet and catches crosses unlike Bravo who punches them & that I feel is a flaw. Ter stegen reminds me of Neuer. I feel he has the potential to be better than Courtois and De gea. The decision would come down to Enrique and whatever he decides should be the best for the club.
The DEFENCE. I put that in capital letters because that the weakness of the club. Adriano's heart problem doesn't help the club in any way & we pray for speedy recovery for our most versatile player. There is talk about Dani alvez leaving and he has even helped those rumours by saying things that point out to the fact that we won't mind leaving. If he leaves, I'm sure many Barca fans won't mind,as his performances have been sinking for the past 2 seasons. The replacement rumoured is Colombian world cup star Juan Cuadrado. He's not a right back, but as played as wing back for Fiorentina and would be tasked to do the same on the pitch although on paper he will be a full back. There have been calls for a defensive full back like Abidal due to the fact that the attacking exploits of Alvez and Alba leave us exposed at the back. This makes total sense and the board agree as there have been moves for Jeremy Mathieu although Valencia's €20m asking price for a 30-year old is too much, however the defender's desire to move, may help us. Fazio is a centre back from sevilla who is experienced and would come relatively cheaper than the other centre backs mentioned in the media like Hummels, Mangala, Benetia, Marquinhos and Balanta. Barca fans would love 2 of the 6 mentioned. With the funds going into the purchase of Luis Suarez, you get the feeling that only one of these could be purchased for big money. What I think should happen is that Benatia should be bought, as he has expressed his desire to leave, then Balanta should be brought from River plate as the Colombian has given a good account of himself at the world cup. However, the possibility of a swoop deal with PSG for Marquinhos in exchange for Alvez + cash would be a welcomed solution, since they seemed determined to get the Brazilian back four.
The sale of Fabregas was unreasonable, especially after letting Thiago go, a deal which till this day hurts me like a failed relationship. Xavi seems to be going and our centre midfield looks empty and although Rakitic has been brought in, his best performances have been as a attacking midfield not a centre midfielder. This can easily been seen in his below par performances at the world cup. The players good enough for this positions would either be too expensive or won't leave or are already headed elsewhere. Players like Pogba, Kroos, Veratti. Ibrahim Afellay may well be the solution as there remain high hopes about this kid and its not hard to see why. We can only hope Luiz Enrique uses change of tactics or formation to alleviate this problem. (The picture below shows Rakitic flicking the ball over Pepe and setting up Bacca for his 2nd goal against Real madrid. A personal highlight of the season)
In the forward role, there was talk last season of a "Larsson". A player who would seat on the bench and do a good job when need. But all these are long gone with the signing of Luis Suarez. Doubts remain over the wisdom in this, as although he is one of the best out there, his reputation is not the best and the €88m we payed could have been used to develop other areas of the squad. Suarez however makes the front-line very deadly on the outlook. We can play with Neymar, Messi & Suarez in as a front 3 and exchanging roles throughout the match or Neymar and Suarez in a front 2 with Messi behind just like for Argentina, that role I feel suites Messi more. It however remains to be seen how Luis Enrique handles it.
For the exits. Alexis Sanchez has been sold although he had his best season with us and scored more than anyone excluding Messi, funds have to be raised for a defender and since Suarez has comie he has to make way. Personally, I would love to see Dani Alvez leave, his comments regarding a move to PSG sounds as though he is doing us a favour by being at the club, this at a period were his performances have not been the best. We have been waiting for Christian Tello to fulfill the potential that made Guardiola start him in a clasico in his first season with the first team, and I think it was a good decision to let him leave for Porto, especially has Gerard Deulofeu has returned after a fruitful spell in England. Another player under the "tired of waiting to fulfil potential" bracket is Sergi Roberto he should also leave. Jonathan Dos santos has been sold to Villareal, maybe leaving the club may help his career, just the way it helped his brother. Isaac Cuena was released and to be truthful he didn't show any potential, that's if he had any. The most disappointing has to be Bojan Krkic. Loan spell after loan spell hasn't helped him and its best he goes finally. As much as it hurts to say this, the time is up for Xavi, a great servant of the club, a barca boy to the core, he too should leave, but only if another midfielder can be acquired. Alexander Song has always been an unreasonable signing in my opinion and he should be sold to get funds for a midfielder to replace Xavi.
Although I do not expect much from this season, to be candid I'm expecting a another trophyless season, I do expect the foundations for many trophy laden seasons to be established this year.
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