Barcelona is seeing a lot more managerial and administrative activity these days compared to what its jammed machines must have been used to. After all, for a team of Barca's standing consecutive years of UCL embarrassment leading to Pool debacle hardly brought any reaction from the gutless, spineless and remorseless board, players and coach. I doubt if the score was any less humiliating, our beloved team would have tried to simply wriggle through it putting all the skeletons under the carpet including their lethargy and dereliction of their primary duties.
So finally, everyone across FCB seems to at least show some urgency, some realisation of getting up from slumber. However, have all the actions so far been in proportion to the gravity of the dire situation. My thoughts on different tactical elements which are in flux currently, and how it impacts the overall strategy of the team.
- Change in board - Barto is a complete disgrace of a president, who might get away being the president of a Sunday league team. However, he should never have been anywhere near the FCB boardroom. But our misfortune, not only did he make it there thanks to some dubious political and criminal precedence paving his way to the throne. However, after all that he has done to squeeze the life out of FCB, a very minuscule part of him which is Cule should have told him to let go of the reins now. This was as good as a time. The very next day, the board should have made way for elections. This would have left enough time for the new board to come in, chose the coach with the right profile as per their vision and sanction the signings as per the coach's vision. But, as was more realistically expected of Mr. Barto, he did make sure to complete his term practically. He might be a nit wit as far as sporting club presidents go, but politically he's as shrewd as they come. Kudos Mr. Bartomeu.
- Change in coach - The first thing which was confirmed by half time of the Bayern game was that Setien and his team's lockers were already making way for new names. However, I firmly believe that Koeman is the wrong choice. He hasn't managed a plethora of superstars in a top of the world club with all the dirty politics that come with it. Also, his performance is not the best with his teams. We needed a coach who would be a great man manager - managing board as well as players with equal panache. I do not think Koeman is that, and I do not think he will be the man to lead Barca to glory. I have earlier assessed signings such as Andre Gomes, Coutinho and Griezmann with same scepticism and hoped that they prove me wrong. But it has not happened, and I fear I might be proven right again this time with Koeman.
- Squad cleanup/ transition - Of course, this is too early to give a verdict on the squad shakeup. However, this is based on the feelers so far. And sorry to disappoint you but it doesn't make me feel too positive. Pique's post match comments were the only positive so far unfortunately. Oh yes, there are few more positives. But more negatives. Let me list them down to make it easier for me and for you all.
- Suarez - I have loved Barca since longggg. And over all these years, I think Suarez at his peak or even today can score some goals which no one else can. But, as a starting striker for Barca, he was done one and half season back. Of course, board's incompetency and coach's lack of leadership have developed the lethargic, passive player that he has become. What is worse, he is nonchalant as per his latest comments and still wants to stick in even if he's left in the bench. Firstly, we all know he responds when he is on bench more often than on the field. Secondly, we need some real cash now to transform the team and sorry, it's time for you to walk out legend with your head held high. However, recent media reports seem to point that neither Board nor the new coaching staff have the plan, courage and enterprise to cash on him while getting a decent replacement. His arrogant statements recently do not augur well for any team building.
- Busquets- Busi probably has a place for most of La Liga against the technical but relatively slow midfielders. But he should have been a squad player since 2018. Going by his recent statements, it sounds like either the club is still struggling to get this around his head or he's up with mind games. Make no mistake - I revered Busi. He could do things in midfield which looked playing in that position a cake walk. He could have been the biggest superstar in many teams - he was that good. But again, he 'was'. Unfortunately, I do not think many clubs would even be interested in signing him for the salary/ transfer fee that would involve him. Mainly because, most clubs have solution to the midfield pivot with with a combination of formations to leverage players of much lesser skill set.
- Sergi Roberto - Again, a player who is always a squad player. I am in awe of him for his performances in El Classico last minute Messi goal, and PSG comeback, but he was never Barca starting player quality. And that needs to be drilled in to his head. Recent comments by his representatives and club point to the contrary.
- FDJ - The only positive I see so far is that Koeman has clearly said that FDJ should play CDM. Since De Jong was signed mid-way through season last year, every Tom, Dick and Harry related to Barca knew that he was going to replace Busi and make our sludge in the midfield smooth and fast. However, neither Valverde nor Setien put him in that position. He should start there. He might make one of two mistakes, but if the team has to go forward, we have to show resolve to digest those mistakes earlier in the season so that we have a solid defensive mid field going in to the business end of the season.
- Griezmann - I never wanted him, and I knew he is a wrong signing. But man, he's truly one of the rarest superstars who remain humble. He's a world cup winner- not a passive one, but the one who was one of the chief architects with crucial goals, penalties and contributions. He knows all about getting it done at the highest stage. He hasn't clicked at all. But, funnily he always has done enough to leave enough doubt that if only one of the coaches since Pep tries to be an actual coach and breaks away from Pep's formation and rather has a formation as per current squad, then Griez will perform and will contribute in plenty. Again, credit where due - Koeman has been very positive in stating that Griz has a place in the team if he's played in the right place.
- GOAT - I will be honest on this one. I always tend to follow teams based on players with flair. Being in Australia, I was not born in any of these European places, so I am unapologetic of not being a true blue supporter of any of the European clubs. But, these are the clubs (in addition to the Socceroos, national teams of Brazil, Argentina) who have got me engaged to the game since childhood. But I was riveted to Barca since Maradona's time. Then came Ronaldo (real one), followed by Rivaldo. However till 2009, I was supporting Barca as one of the few clubs I used to love watching including AC Milan, Arsenal and even Real Madrid (kill me now :(). But that group of players and the game they played - Messi, Xavi, Andres, Dani, Busi (the last two came later as starters). I started finding football of other teams boring. And there started my transition to being a only Barca fan from a football fan, although Barca was still my favourite team among others since Maradona's signing. Anyways what I wanted to point out was, the football fan of pre 2009 in me wants to know see Messi move in to a different team. I don't even care if it is a world conquering team or not. I just feel like Messi would be more devastating now in a different team than in Barca. It just feels like that time, when you as an individual know that your best in the current office is done. This would definitely bring in the much needed moolah for the much talked about without much basis - squad transformation. I guess something around $120 for Messi would get at least a WC striker, a WC defender and a decent mid fielder (maybe Van De Beek). It is a win-win situation. I know it is absolutely gut wrenching for Cules to digest. But I see this as an opportunity, more than a challenge. However, to be honest - I think Messi would continue more so because of stability for his family rather than anything else.
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Messi has to go. Let him leave, Barca.
ReplyDeleteAgree mate. It's a win win right now. But I think Messi's personal life might stop him from moving.
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