Image credit - "FC Barcelona players" by borkur.net is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Its been about 10 odd days since Barcelona was put through the most shameful 90 minutes of football they have ever been subjected to. And about 6 days, that the board true to it's core, came up with another knee jerk reaction of getting Koeman. Knee jerk, because this could have been done earlier - after Roma. Mr. Bartomeu nonchalantly washed his hands of any blame for the absolute devastation his tenure has caused to the institution. The institution needs direction, leadership and performers. Direction will need to wait till elections. Koeman meanwhile is brought in to bring leadership to the team. His staff and his players have to perform - not necessarily to win it all, but show an evolution towards a team which won't give in to mental pressure, give in to physical press, give in to exhaustion. And importantly, players combine together to make a very difficult to beat team. Pace and physicality has to be married with flair, ruthlessness and winning mentality. Board has apparently given a relatively free hand to Koeman, Schreuder and Larsson to do the dirty work of clearing up the squad. Follow it up with rebuilding the squad with fresh blood and talent. So how has that gone so far. Of course, this is little too early to assess, but there is only about two weeks left before the season starts. So here goes the assessment.
Difficult to start without talking about the messy Messi situation. All media reports seem to suggest that the great man indeed considered leaving Barcelona. Or maybe at least put up the posturing to push Bartomeu towards more extreme changes including his exit. Going by the feeler's in the press and some of the reactions by people in the footballing world, it clearly looks very difficult for Messi to leave even if he wanted. Reading between the lines of Tuchel's response to Messi to PSG reports - it sounded as if the gaffer lavished all the respect a GOAT deserves. But curiously finished by probably clarifying his stance that not even with budget he has access to, he won't consider bringing Messi to PSG. There is a reason for this. Messi is still probably the greatest finisher and creator, however he needs changes made in any squad to accommodate him. His lack of pressing and defensive duties mean the team has to be built to absorb the lack in defensive enterprise around him. This is a very difficult hole to plug, albeit not impossible. Secondly, and more importantly, post covid world, no team wants to invest heavily on one player who is on his final two or three years of astronomical returns. So, from Blaugrana's perspective, it looks like the great man will continue at least for now and most likely finish his career here.
Image credit - "File:Sergio Busquets 2018 (cropped).jpg" by Анна Нэсси is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
So far one of the few good things Bartomeu has ever said, if not the only one is discounting Suarez. Busquets, Alba, Sergi and Pique as indispensable. That got Azulgranas excited. However, excitement seems to soon have given way to grim pragmatism. It looks like except Suarez, everyone would stay. Suarez exit is essential. It is unfair for him, that it has come to him this way. The board should have transitioned him out over time in a better way. But this is one of the good that seems to come to fruition. There should be no going back. Now to the bad and the ugly. Busquets has been one of the main reasons of our PSG debacle, Roma debacle and Pool debacle. It's astounding how he still get's to win confidence of coach and fans very quickly by performing against some sub elite teams. He doesn't have pace, and is not even as good in evading pressure as he used to be. For me, only place for him could be on the bench as a substitute for De Jong and Pjanic in the possible double pivot. He can not be allowed to start any big games. Moving to Alba. If Gaya can be purchased, we need to move for him. While Alba is not yet finished as per me, he is on the wane. If we struggle to get a left back now, we would be forced to keep him as starter till January or even next season. Cringe ugly. Pique, gets away so easily with mistakes, it is not funny. He has a place in the squad though,. He should be on rotation basis with two other starters in the centre back positions. Sergi Roberto unfortunately has no place in the squad. He is just not good enough for any position. He's versatile but that is the problem with the team. Versatility should be restricted to moving one player from his preferred role to another role permanently. Not move around like a chess board. He's not good enough to start as either RB or mid fielder. He should be monetised, but I doubt there have ever been serious offers for him. It is ugly that he's been retained. Of course his contributions especially ones against PSG and Real Madrid would never be forgotten.
Unpopular opinion, but I prefer Rakitic over Busquets for the double pivot bench position. He's more solid defensively and also brings in the threat of goals. He would have definitely done a better job than Busquets against Bayern. But difference with Busquets is, Rakitic is sell-able. Teams see that he has much to offer. For Busquets, he doesn't bring much to the table now, and might cost a bumper, and as such won't have any suitor in the market. As such, it makes sense to let go of Rakitic. Unfortunately, he won't really be missed much as per his current contributions. But at his peak, he was formidable as well. No wonder he scored the game changing goal for our last champions league finals. Vidal brings grit, energy and goals. But he can't have as many minutes in an evolving team as he did this season. And he has made it clear he won't accept a reduced role. Also, he has many suitors if the media reports are to be believed. And demand for his services is fathomable. He should be sold as well. He's done very well for us as well. These are also good decisions.
We need to generate enough funds for very good youth players who have potential to flourish in to world beaters. The positions required to be filled by these players are centre back, left back and striker. Suarez, Firpo, Rakitic, Vidal and Arthur sale should generate enough funds for these players. Sergi Roberto should also be sold to add some more to the dry kitty. Sarr looks good for CB. Gaya looks perfect for LB. I am not sold on Lautaro for the price. He will be good no doubt, but I think there are other strikers who are close to him at much cheaper prices available across the globe. Rather get one of the accomplished cheaper striker and a youth prodigy for the same money. But having Lautaro will obviously be good - especially him being Argentine will help Messi - Lautaro link up. These three are the positions we most urgently need to be filled with youth with skill. For the advance/ creative mid fielder, it is bloody high time we gamble on Puig. Maybe get some one from the market on moderate price who can give him competition. For left back, Semedo has definitely earned his place. A Davies in full form will some times dribble past the best of the full backs in any team. Looks horrendous on television, but that distorts the overall match performance. Even against Bayern, Semedo was no where close to bottom half of players in terms of performance. And Semedo himself has toyed with players quite a few times. He is yet to hit his peak and will soon be much stronger if given regular starting time. Sure, have a decent quality backup, some one maybe not as bad as Sergi.
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