Barcelona Off Season So Far
July 14th 2009 23:36
For my first post I'd like to discuss the summer happenings of FC. Barcelona, thus far anyway..
I'd like to start off by commenting that Barcelona fielded one of the all-time great teams last year. Not only was it star studded but there was little to no clubhouse quarrels, at least not publicized ones, that had been common in the 2007-08 season. As big of a supporter of Ronaldinho as I am, and as much as I believe he turned the fortunes of this great club around by coming to Barcelona, his time had clearly run its course and it was time for a new start. Pep Guardiola provided that fresh perspective and the energy that was required for the players to remember what the shirts they wore mean. I know this is what most media outlets report, but these ideas are important to remember when discussing off-season maneuvering. So let's get on with it.
Offseason as of (July 14,2009)
No person could discuss this off season without mentioning bitter rivals Real Madrid, of course, I will sound off like most Catalonians and Barca fans and say their spending is reckless. To risk the fortunes that Real Madrid creates, not only for the club, but also for the city of Madrid on a $400 million gamble that these players will "pay for themselves" is, frankly, risky and dangerous. As much as I despise Real Madrid, I think it would be a real shame if the club ends up in financial ruin, similar to Valencia...I am a capitalist after all and competition improves quality of all involved.
As for Barcelona's offseason, I've read many complaints that Barca isn't doing enough, but I don't see any reason to bring on a star. Not that I would turn down the likes of David Villa, Cesc Fabergas, Javy Mascherano, or Frank Ribery, but where are they going to play? Sure Samuel Eto'o will be gone for a month for the African Cup of Nations and will most likely leave at the end of this year anyway, thus selling him now would seem prudent. Eto'o in my eyes has made it pretty clear he is not going to make it easy for Barcelona to sell him, at least not at a profit (I've read articles that he is demanding a large chunk of any fee Barca agree to). So why not get the goals he will surely be motivated to score this year in order to raise his value as a free transfer next summer. If Barca could agree to a deal for David Villa that at a reasonable price, as goal.com reported they have, then perhaps they could have one year of both, or sell Eto'o and take whatever bonus money they get to help pay for Villa. Just remember what happened when Barca had 4 world class "forwards" in 07-08, there is a lot to be said for locker room chemistry in sports.
On another note, I love the signing of Kerrson to compete with Bojan. Personally, I think Bojan is fantastically skilled, he needs some experience but his ability to score goals is unquestionable. Keeping Eto'o would give these two young budding stars a chance to show what they can contribute with consistent first team time during the Africa Cup of Nations, who knows, maybe one of them is already a super stat and the need to spend money is not there.
The midfield is a different beast. Barca currently sports what some would claim to be the 2 best set up men/attacking midfielders in the world in Iniesta and Xavi. I don't doubt Fabergas's skills but how does he fit? Having players who consider themselves world-class sitting on the bench is not going to help that chemistry. Granted there are injuries and Barca will play around 60 games next year, but there current roster make-up is part of the reason Barca was able to win the treble last year, they had players like Keita and Busquets who could fill in these holes for injuries and days off without complaining about their minutes. On the other hand, Mascherano is a different beast, many consider him to be better than Yaya Toure and I can't disagree. I like Toure in the line-up though, because he provides that physical presence to help “protect” them team against rough tactics being used on the likes of Messi and Iniesta. This one is a toss-up in my eyes.
I suppose the point of all of this drivel is that Barca need to be careful they don't overreact to the Madrid signings and risk running amuck of the great chemistry they had last year.
I'd like to start off by commenting that Barcelona fielded one of the all-time great teams last year. Not only was it star studded but there was little to no clubhouse quarrels, at least not publicized ones, that had been common in the 2007-08 season. As big of a supporter of Ronaldinho as I am, and as much as I believe he turned the fortunes of this great club around by coming to Barcelona, his time had clearly run its course and it was time for a new start. Pep Guardiola provided that fresh perspective and the energy that was required for the players to remember what the shirts they wore mean. I know this is what most media outlets report, but these ideas are important to remember when discussing off-season maneuvering. So let's get on with it.
Offseason as of (July 14,2009)
No person could discuss this off season without mentioning bitter rivals Real Madrid, of course, I will sound off like most Catalonians and Barca fans and say their spending is reckless. To risk the fortunes that Real Madrid creates, not only for the club, but also for the city of Madrid on a $400 million gamble that these players will "pay for themselves" is, frankly, risky and dangerous. As much as I despise Real Madrid, I think it would be a real shame if the club ends up in financial ruin, similar to Valencia...I am a capitalist after all and competition improves quality of all involved.
As for Barcelona's offseason, I've read many complaints that Barca isn't doing enough, but I don't see any reason to bring on a star. Not that I would turn down the likes of David Villa, Cesc Fabergas, Javy Mascherano, or Frank Ribery, but where are they going to play? Sure Samuel Eto'o will be gone for a month for the African Cup of Nations and will most likely leave at the end of this year anyway, thus selling him now would seem prudent. Eto'o in my eyes has made it pretty clear he is not going to make it easy for Barcelona to sell him, at least not at a profit (I've read articles that he is demanding a large chunk of any fee Barca agree to). So why not get the goals he will surely be motivated to score this year in order to raise his value as a free transfer next summer. If Barca could agree to a deal for David Villa that at a reasonable price, as goal.com reported they have, then perhaps they could have one year of both, or sell Eto'o and take whatever bonus money they get to help pay for Villa. Just remember what happened when Barca had 4 world class "forwards" in 07-08, there is a lot to be said for locker room chemistry in sports.
On another note, I love the signing of Kerrson to compete with Bojan. Personally, I think Bojan is fantastically skilled, he needs some experience but his ability to score goals is unquestionable. Keeping Eto'o would give these two young budding stars a chance to show what they can contribute with consistent first team time during the Africa Cup of Nations, who knows, maybe one of them is already a super stat and the need to spend money is not there.
The midfield is a different beast. Barca currently sports what some would claim to be the 2 best set up men/attacking midfielders in the world in Iniesta and Xavi. I don't doubt Fabergas's skills but how does he fit? Having players who consider themselves world-class sitting on the bench is not going to help that chemistry. Granted there are injuries and Barca will play around 60 games next year, but there current roster make-up is part of the reason Barca was able to win the treble last year, they had players like Keita and Busquets who could fill in these holes for injuries and days off without complaining about their minutes. On the other hand, Mascherano is a different beast, many consider him to be better than Yaya Toure and I can't disagree. I like Toure in the line-up though, because he provides that physical presence to help “protect” them team against rough tactics being used on the likes of Messi and Iniesta. This one is a toss-up in my eyes.
I suppose the point of all of this drivel is that Barca need to be careful they don't overreact to the Madrid signings and risk running amuck of the great chemistry they had last year.
| 58 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
