Barca Blaugranes: FanPosts

What is your La Liga Team of the Season?

2013-05-13T13:06:59Z

This is not an article as such, but a quick question to the Blaugrana fans of the world. You may have your first XI and seven substites. You also need a coach and an assistant coach. This is THE personal La Liga TOTS 12-13!

I am not going to post mine as I would like to leave it up to you all to decide completely fresh and see your ideas, formations and players!

The great thing about building a league team for a certain year is that some players have risen and shown the world that they are just as good as any other out there, while other star players may have had a season to forget. While Xabi Alonso is always there to play the eye-of-the-needle ball and is technically very adept, Benat has given him a run for his money on his day. Vela has had a good season as has Cicinho. Isco is breaking out more and more every game too.

Vamos Barca, we have reclaimed the league and have some big names, as well as some hungry youth on the horizon. Next season should be exciting.

I am not going to post mine as I would like to leave it up to you all to decide completely fresh and see your ideas, formations and players!

Vamos Barca, we have reclaimed the league and have some big names, as well as some hungry youth on the horizon. Next season should be exciting.

A Barca team to challenge Bayern Munich

2013-05-12T07:39:27Z

The main purpose of my post is to put forth a relatively (please see the disclaimers at the bottom) realistic Barca team for next season which would challenge Bayern Munich. I’m not looking at the whole season, but just one (or two) game(s) against Bayern Munich (and the likes).

GK: Ter Stegen (or Courtois)

RCB: Pique

CB: Hummels

LCB: Chiellini

RDM: Song

LDM: Busquets

RM: Thiago

LAM: Iniesta

CAM/CF: Messi

LS/LW: Neymar

RW/RS: Robben

Reasons

The GK is either of them simply because Valdes is leaving

5-defensive players are always going to be BEHIND THE BALL to prevent counters. Each one of them is tall to battle aerial balls and, barring Busquets to an extent, is PHYSICALLY IMPOSING

When attacking

Busquets could be the centre man spraying passes forward to Thiago, Iniesta and Messi much like Xavi now. He is intelligent, calm, technically sound, a brilliant passer and unbelievably composed on the ball.

Song could stand on the right to intercept the balls going that way. Chiellini would do the same on the left.

Pique and Hummels would be behind them

All 5-offense players are extremely mobile and DIFFICULT TO MARK OUT of a game by a Single man – each one of them ideally requires a minimum of 2 players to stop them from creating something

THERE ARE GOALS in each one of the front three men. This has probably been Barca’s biggest weakness in recent times – the drying up of goals by from the left and right forwards (I personally believe a big problem has been no left-footed players playing on the right since Messi moved centre – right-footed players are easier to mark in that area of the pitch). Other teams could afford to leave the Wingers alone and concentrate on Messi. That would be impossible with these 3 attacking.

Neymar is a genuine goal threat (even from the left)

Robben is a genuine goal threat (even from the right)

Messi is a genuine goal threat. PERIOD.

Disclaimers:

As much as I would like this to be realistic, Chiellini is unlikely to want to leave Juventus (and Juventus are unlikely to want to sell him – although they are mighty interested in Alexis)

Bayern Munich are unlikely to want to sell Robben to Barca even though Pep is likely to want to move him out of Bayern (I cannot genuinely think of any other left-footed goal scorer being available – Bale would be too expensive). Robben virtually guarantees 15 goals a season which would be much welcome from the right.

SQUAD:

Ter Stegen (or Courtois), Pinto, Oier, Adriano, Montoya, Puyol (upto him), Bartra, Pique, Hummels, Chiellini, Alba, Song, Busquets, Xavi, Thiago, Fabregas, Iniesta, Sergi Roberto, Messi, Neymar, Tello, Robben, Pedro, Deulofeu

Squad outs: Valdes, Alves, Abidal (I like him a lot, but simply no space with the ins), JDS, Affelay, Cuenca, Puyol (only if it’s true that he wants to leave), Mascherano (no space in CB – would rather give Bartra time, and him playing DM would pretty much change Barca’s style of keeping ball in midfield), Villa, Alexis ( I would genuinely like to see him at Barca for another season, but not at the expense of Chiellini)

Squad ins: Ter Stegen (or Courtois), Hummels, Chiellini, Neymar, Robben

Net spend: 45 = 155 (20+30+35+50+20) - 90 (10+10+0+4+5+7+4+15+12+23) - 20 (hopefully Nike sponsors 20 for Neymar)

There should be a million or so made by the freed up wages as well (especially Alves, Villa, Puyol)

GK: Ter Stegen (or Courtois)

RCB: Pique

CB: Hummels

LCB: Chiellini

RDM: Song

LDM: Busquets

RM: Thiago

LAM: Iniesta

CAM/CF: Messi

LS/LW: Neymar

RW/RS: Robben

Reasons

The GK is either of them simply because Valdes is leaving

5-defensive players are always going to be BEHIND THE BALL to prevent counters. Each one of them is tall to battle aerial balls and, barring Busquets to an extent, is PHYSICALLY IMPOSING

When attacking

Song could stand on the right to intercept the balls going that way. Chiellini would do the same on the left.

Pique and Hummels would be behind them

All 5-offense players are extremely mobile and DIFFICULT TO MARK OUT of a game by a Single man – each one of them ideally requires a minimum of 2 players to stop them from creating something

Neymar is a genuine goal threat (even from the left)

Robben is a genuine goal threat (even from the right)

Messi is a genuine goal threat. PERIOD.

Disclaimers:

As much as I would like this to be realistic, Chiellini is unlikely to want to leave Juventus (and Juventus are unlikely to want to sell him – although they are mighty interested in Alexis)

SQUAD:

Squad ins: Ter Stegen (or Courtois), Hummels, Chiellini, Neymar, Robben

Net spend: 45 = 155 (20+30+35+50+20) - 90 (10+10+0+4+5+7+4+15+12+23) - 20 (hopefully Nike sponsors 20 for Neymar)

There should be a million or so made by the freed up wages as well (especially Alves, Villa, Puyol)

New season's Barca

2013-05-11T18:16:01Z

Yes,we're at this part of the season where the La liga title is pretty much wrapped up and we have nothing else to play for ,except perhaps for some extraordinary records from our little Argentinian and the whole team in general. But this season although Barca reclaimed the domestic title and things got back to normal after a year break that Madrid won the title ,in Europe we all witnessed a shift of power with the German sides dominating the CL. Our team's exit of the tournament can only be described as humiliating .Although the aggregate score of 7-0 does not do full justice to the quality difference between Barca and Bayern -far from it-, different factors like injuries to Messi, our defensive players,wrong transfer decisions last summer, players burnt out due to exquisite amount of playing time ,etc, one must accept the fact that our team is in desperate need of seriously re enforcing in various areas of the pitch in order to compete in the highest level and re establish itself as the better team in the world. Purpose of this article is to just that.Propose what moves must be done this summer. Starting with the goalkeeper I think Valdez should definitely be sold this summer. There is no point in hanging on to a player for another year who has expressed his will to seek other footballing adventures .We should sell him this summer and help raise the funds for his successor which in my opinion should be one of Courtois of Atletico Madrid (on loan from Chelsea) or De Gea if Man U are willing to sell at a reasonable price.We'll get into numbers later on. In defense,where most people think should be the biggest shake up, including myself, I'd go with signing two central defenders.One already established and experienced in top football, ready to be automatic starter,Hummels ??, Thiago Silva ?? and another one perhaps younger with potential for the future ,willing to learn play the "Barca way" , preferably Spanish or at least from the Spanish league. So with 2 new guys in defence plus Pique and Puyol you have 4 players battling for the 2 central defensive positions.In full backs Alves and Alba are no brainer as regular starters and I think Adriano (can play both wings),Montoya and Abidal should be their backups. I know what many of you must be thinking . Abidal ? The guy has just been back from a liver transplant. Correct,but based purely from what I've seen from him since his return I think he's in very good condition he has tremendous will to play again top level football and can feature not only as left back but as centre back as well.So I think he deserves to be with us next season.I would then loan out Bartra for a season ,to a team that could guarantee him plenty playing time so that he shows what he's capable of and if he progresses the way we all hope so he could be back for us a year later. So,how about Mascherano ? I'd feature him in his original position which is holding midfielder. I know we have Busquets there but as this season clearly showed us ,he can't participate all the games as there are injuries,bookings,dip of form,need for rest,etc. Plus Mascherano gives us something that lacks from this team .The aggressiveness on the player and the ball. His desire to not leave "prisoners behind". Let's not forget that Mascherano is still one of the best defensive midfielders in the business and gives us 3 great options. Replace Busquets when needed,play as a centre back if absolutely necessary and also feature with Busquets as a double pivot. I know Barca never plays like this but I think it should be an option in certain games and opponents .It's not a shame to change slightly your footballing style if that's necessary to achieve great victories and claim trophies. So that leaves the question what happens to Song. Alex Song is not a bad player but as this season proved us he can not play as a central defender and with Busi and Masche in the holding midfielder position leave him only with the Xavi/Iniesta role which he can't really play plus we also have Thiago and Fabregas there. So he should be shipped out. I think it won't be that difficult for Barca to sell him at almost the amount they bought him last summer.At this point I'd like to comment about Fabregas who many people think in his 2 year stint in Barca is more or less a failure, that I totally disagree. Sesc is and will be for the future a very important player for Barca taking up Xavi's role gradually. He has been featured almost in every single position in midfield and attack both seasons for us and this constant change of roles certainly doesn't help his cause. But let's not forget in the last couple of years besides Messi ,Cesc is the only player to figure double digits in goals and assists in both campaigns.That's not a small thing by any stretch of the imagination. I believe once he's set in a more fixed role he'll be performing at the highest level consistently. That leaves us with the offense. I believe that both Alexis and Villa should be sold for different reasons. Villa is 31 years old ,not getting any younger, obviously influenced by his serious injury a year and a half ago, in terms of pace and acceleration and entering a year in which a World Cup is in due he most certainly will want regular playing time which Barca can not offer him. So it'll be best both for him and the team to be sold. Alexis on the other hand is a young player,was the best player in Italy with Udineze when we bought him and though someone can argue that his stats aren't that bad I strongly believe that it doesn't have what it takes to succeed in a team like Barca the way we play. His play is more suited with teams that play counter attacking football and has acres of space to run and make things happen.In fact I think he can never succeed in a top club like Bayern,Man U etc ,not just us. So with both Villa and Alexis out we're left with Messi,Pedro and Tello up front. With Neymar's arrival almost 100% certain and Deulofeu's promoting in the first team we're covered in the wings. What we lack a centre forward "old school" .Someone who is strong in the air,can't be bullied around ,knows where the back of the net is but also someone who isn't in his prime so therefore willing to stay on the bench and used when the team needs him. All cules must definitely remember Henrik Larson and how fundamental he was in the 2005-2006 season and our La Liga and CL double. That kind of player is missing from Barca and I think we must absolutely get in the summer. The first name that pops in mind is that of Didier Drogba or someone of that calibre. Let's get into the financial aspect of the signings in and out ,because at the end of the day all that you're willing or can spend is what matters. According to reports Barca have a 50mil. Euro budget plus whatever they gain by selling players. If Valdez,Song,Alexis and Villa are sold we can raise something in the region of 65-75 mil. euros*. So let's assume a total budget of approximately 120m.De Gea or Courtouis could come with 20-25m.,Hummels with 25-30m., a young promising defender for 5-10m (Dante to Bayern 5m,Varane to Real 10m ),Neymar reportedly will cost 40m and a striker could either be a free agent or the transfer fees required rather low. By succeeding in the proposed transfer plan we're both within budget and we manage to strengthen our squad to maintain our status as the best team in the world in what it seems like a very important year in European football as most clubs are in a transition with top managers changing jobs and top footballers expected in transfers moves to the richest clubs in Europe. I would like to hear your thoughts whether you agree or not about the positions we should strengthen,possible canditates etc.

*all figures regarding player's market value are extracted from http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk

Have we tried this yet?

2013-05-09T15:15:37Z

We have been trying different combination of players but I don't remember we have ever played Busquets in Xavi's role in the middle with Mascherano/Song playing Busi's role against more physical teams who want to kill our possession based passing like for instance Bayern did in the semis. With Busi playing in a little more forward role and Mascherano/Song playing Busi's usual position it would be a different combination one which can throw off the oppostion off guard. Busquets with his usual knack of anticipating and cutting off attacks much more forward it d woulgive us some more cover. On the other hand going forward his single touch passes as well as his vertical splitting passes going forward may enable us to benefit when we launch a counter attack. Its just an idea that I am floating for discussion. I look forward to views and discussion on pros and cons of such a move.

In responce to the wonderful post by JBeck12 ! FC Barcelona " Implanting a bright future "

2013-05-08T17:13:34Z

As JBECK12 said its highly important to be realistic when assessing a future whether it be short term or long term, all we can do as cules is speculate and exchange opinions, but the realistic die hard fans opinions and beliefs are closer to what the club actually also feels than you think !
( As the celtic fans sing "Let the people sing the stories and the songs" )

However you have to be realistic, what makes Barcelona in my opinion different to other european giants is the club is a family a club, a club that relies on its routes and does not quickly forget them. In contrast to the money minded super powers who are all out to steal and buy the next big thing on the transfer market in hope to succeed, however Barcelona produce talent that has been incredible, producing world class players for many seasons, and that partly creates a bigger and better story as to why Barcelona are so famous but also attractive to outsiders.

The way the club simply does what most people thought was forgotten and lost because of the huge money which is now involved in the game is something to be extremely proud of, implanting a structure like la masia will not happen with a wave of a wand, but serious thought and emotion. Seeing a full X1 which has come from the ranks of La Masia to me is like winning any title. I wrote an earlier post regarding Barcelona and why they didnt rush into buying a Centre back. And my answer was because of Puyol and how barca felt they had to stay loyal to him after how well he has served the club. Anyway to the main points in responce to JBeck12.

the above therefore brings me to my first point.

The question has been asked about the future of barcelona and whether a revolution is needed ? ...
the answer NO !

But as JBeck12 wrote, since the massive 7-0 defeat against Bayern Munich all kinds of knee jerk reactions of possible transfers in and out, what tactics should be changed is too far, yet it is true it simply cannot be ignored.
the solution in my opinion and by reading the post by JBeck12 is to evolve in a way keeping the main principles the same but tweaking the squad and tactics slightly.

In my opinion regarding the "homogenized" point is that it is true to and extent but it should not be completely changed, because of that Barcelona is where it is today. Yes some new players with different skill sets is needed but them being the tweaks, the spine of the team must and should always be La masia graduates (obvs depending on if they are good enough, which our young guns tend to be) Valdes, Puyol , Xavi , Iniesta and Messi was our spine more so in Pep's years but as JBeck12 says although Valdes , Xavi and Puyol still of course have there roles to play massively they aint getting any better ... and if they do WOW... And Valdes for certain looks like his time is over. We now also still have the spine. In Pique, Xavi, Iniesta, Busi (thiago soon) Messi. Its the players around that need to be tweaked.

The way Barcelona play "Tiki Taka" is always going to be a style which needs to have technically gifted players for it to work well, and most of the time the ball is played into feet quickly ( which needs deft touches and great movemnet off the ball, find space and angles etc to work) , and the way to then stretch the play is by having ball playing dribblers in the team or having players who can split defences with brilliant passes which is the contrast to having players who will run in behind so they can recieve a pass over the top which we have never really relied on. And this is part of where we have been going wrong of late in the bigger matches, which then links to JBecks12 other point regarding " the current system has become outdated " we havent been producing " Tiki taka" or commiting defenders through dribbling or risky passes.

The question is why ? .... And in my opinion it's not only that the big teams have perfectly worked out our style it's because of our own wrong doing aswell, it seems like we are just comfortable keeping possession and letting the opposition sit deep, while we "SLOWLY, UNFORCEFULLY" pass the ball. And I think the main reason we don't pass the ball with speed or with any real risk is we have become scared of our own defending, we now wait for something to happen rather than actually making it happen ( unless it's messi ) notice Messi gives the ball away most, buts it's because he's always trying to create, score and head towards goal. So in my opinion we are scared of conceding, as we know as players as a squad if we lose the ball here or there we will concede, but the fact is this slow passing actually causes more mistakes than our natural game "tiki taka".

This is mainly the same team as the amazingly successful one under Pep, so what the players have turned bad overnight ?.... No is the answer but the ability and the way the team know how best to play has been forgotten once it faces a good defensive team who counter attack with speed. And of course as JBeck12 mentions sometimes tactics do only last around 4 years, but do they? In my opinion the base of the tactic does'nt, but it evolves (which we must do), the sit deep counter at speed has always been a popular tactic and has worked for many years, but again after it almost went out after Barcelona destroyed any team in its path has returned.
With Bayern Munich, Real Madrid , Psg, Dortmund all having the ability to do this. However they have evolved it, they have adapted it. They are able to also keep possession when needed because they have talented players, but they also perfectly choose the right times to counter. And press in the right areas, they simply will not dive in when Iniesta or Messi goes on a dribble but slowly crowd them out.

That brings me onto the point of Neymar. Before the likes of Pedro used to get at players 1vs1 turn them inside out and deliver but often and I dont just single out Pedro as the problem (again its the thought of our defence) by all means but our forwards often wiggle there hips then pass the ball back and sideways, in result we create a semi-circle of passes all infont of the opposition, meaning they are able to see at all times where the ball is and each player. "PASS THE BALL, OR PASS THE BUCK" ?. It is generally like most of our players vs this kind of opposition are scared to lose the ball, like they have just frozen and dare be the one thats sets up the oppositions counter, and that simply isnt Barcelona's natural game ... so to the transfers ( the exciting part )

Neymar - I completely agree with your analysis, I know many people believe he may not be the correct signing, which he may end up not been, however I will not right off such a talented young player before he is even given a chance. People continually say "But he has no experience in Europe" ... my answer ... maybe that's a good thing for him and us, he will be out to impress, his raw talent and flair as you said may draw defenders attention away from Messi all of the time therefore freeing up his space, of course he is not the finished article but there ain't many players that are!
And as you say and if its true that the sponsors will almost certainly pay for the signing, you are telling me it's wrong people to almost buy Neymar in result for Free? .... Bargain !!
I know the Graham hunter also belives Neymar is a reckless signing .. but I have to disagree with him for once in this case ! I wish Neymar all the look and hope he proves many people wrong!

Mats Hummels - Yes Yes Yes YES ... again I completely agree with all your points, people who say he is not a ball winner simply do not watch him enough. He's one of the most pro-active defenders I've seen, people often say the difference between a striker and a defender is a striker will react first because hes ready to pounce to score, but many a times I have watched Hummels react quicker simply because he knows where the pass or cross is going ( his intelligence makes up for his speed and he isnt even really that slow ) oh and dont you just thing he's a player that genuinely would suit the Barca shirt, by this i mean obviously his footbaling ability but his attitude on the field, he doesn't seem to be a trouble maker and I believe he is the right man for the job .... however I'm still not totally convinced in that we will sign him .... I have a feeling Marquinhos of Roma could be our main target, but I wouldnt be totally against that either.

Inigo Martinez - Again it would be a brilliant signing, and a great buy for the early future, almost a steal before or "if" he reaches big heights in football. He looks set to be a great defender. will we buy him ? ... hmm maybe but I wouldn't bet on it althought it would be great.

Ter stegen - He is also simply my first choice. However I honestly think we will buy Pepe Reina on a two year deal worth around 10million. I think the Goalkeeper is a vitally important signing this year, obvioulsy that's if Valdes does leave this summer, It's a position that is vital to our style of play and someone that has similiar skills to Valdes is needed aint it ? but we also need to see the bigger picture, Although Reina probably is the nerarest in terms of skill set in comparison to Valdes, but he also has the same weaknesses which aint these what Tito said he wants to change, that being aerial battles from set pieces. It was only the other day Pepe Reina was caught in no mans land from a corner vs Everton only for the officilas to wrongly judge he was impeaded before Everton scored. And thats my main concern, why not Get a Goalkeeper with a longer span, better all round ability who can work on his passing and the sweeper role. Ter stegen is my choice too, But i believe Reina is close to been signed. However I also belive Barcelona may bring another cheaper young Goalkeeper who it maybe I do not know!

Stevan Jovetic - Firstly he is a very talented player, and I suppose his skill set is possible what we may lack, however there is no way unless Messi got injured Jovetic would play centrally, Messi is now obviously the heart of the team, we will build around him and rightly so. He has said in the past he doesn't like anyone playing infront of him, doing this would'nt free him space but cramp it even more, the outlet and to create space for Messi must come from our wide men and midfield runners which of late hasnt been happening. Do I see him been brought in.... No? However yes I would have him as a wide player of course. But I see a front line next year been ... Messi, Pedro, Neymar, Alexis,Tello and Deulofeu. With Cesc or even Thiago having the ability to play false 9 if needed.

You name a perfectly good, strong 26 man squad, but I maybe wrong didn't Tito say he wants a 22 man squad ?
I agree that does seem too small, and it would be hard to get a 22 man squad and if so a few unexpected players will need to be sold.
Been as realistic as I can I see these been the signing, promotions, loans and sales.

Signings - Neymar , Reina , Hummels or Marquinhos
Promotions - Deulofeu, Muniesa and Sergi Roberto and maybe Oier depending On the whole Goalkeepeing saga.
Loans - Cuenca, Muniesa and maybe Roberto and Deulofeu depending on how the season is going.
Sales - Villa ( I like but imo he is off ) Affelay, Fontas, Bojan (although it could be a tough sale in terms of getting 10 million) and Jonathan Dos Santos ( who I also think is good, but the midfield is too strong )

I want a Larsson esc signing If I'm honest, someone quite old who can come on and spark something make he difference and score, however doesn't mind not always playing and isn't too expensive... I've searched for this player for a while but I'm still yet to see the perfect player. There sadly ain't many Henrik Larsson's around.

I also strongly agree about the point you make regarding Xavier Mascherano. We need to utilize him more... Fact !
I know Busi is generally our best CDM. but in the first leg vs European Giants I think sometimes Mascherano or Song could be a better option.

Almost like - Neymar replaces Villa. Hummels/Marquinhos replaces Fontas. Roberto replaces JDS and Deulofeu replaces Affelay and Bojan.
What I believe but not necessarily agree. This is showing if Valdes does leave. The first name indicates main starter!

Gk: Reina,?,Oier

RB: Alves, Montoya

LB: Alba, Adriano

CB: Pique, Hummels or Marquinhos, Puyol, Bartra ( if desperately needed Mascherano )

CDM: Busi,Mascherano,Song

CM: Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc (ability to play false 9 too,Thiago, s.Roberto

Forward central: Messi, Cesc. ? the larsson esc signing I talked about ?

Forward Left: Neymar, Tello

Forward Right: Pedro, Alexis.
With deulofeu loaned out or playing little game time on both wings.

I really believe Thiago has a big role next season, and I tip Roberto to impress even more when possible. In my opinion he adds a directness through the middle which we sometimes lack. However his time will come and next season is perhaps too early.

Whatever Guys lets face it the Summer is Exciting.... Don't ever rule Barca out .... sometimes a change is needed for a club. Sir Alex Ferguson is retiring, not in my opinion because he is tired but he sees a strong change a new spark to hold against the growing giants across europe, the noisy neighbours in Man city, Mou on his way maybe to Chelsea, he realises that maybe a new Manager (David Moyes imo) with new ideas and energy is needed to hold against the new challenges, Sir Alex has left a champion and a structure to be tweaked, likewise us !! Vamos Barca!!

This is not the End of an Era ... BUT THE BEGINNING!

Mes Que Un Club.

And thanks To JBeck12 for the great post.

Gk: Reina,?,Oier

RB: Alves, Montoya

LB: Alba, Adriano

CB: Pique, Hummels or Marquinhos, Puyol, Bartra ( if desperately needed Mascherano )

Forward Right: Pedro, Alexis.
With deulofeu loaned out or playing little game time on both wings.

Mes Que Un Club.

And thanks To JBeck12 for the great post.

Is there more going on behind the scenes?

2013-05-07T12:56:04Z

First it was Valdes who felt compelled not to renew his contract and now there are rumours that Puyol is not that happy and may seek to leave at the end of the season. Both of them are captains of the team and senior members of this Barca team and they are both Catalan and La Masia players. IF you see since Jan 2013 both of them are silent and have not ventured to comment on any event about club. Puyol has not even made any comment about the loss to Bayern Munich and is keeping a very low profile. Both of these players are considered very vocal and have a huge presence in the dressing room and Puyol particularly infuses that energy into the team and is renowned for his ability to lift the team up when they are down. These things point to some behind the scenes goings on which must be very upsetting to the senior team members. These players being true Barca products would not like to hurt Barca by going public or leaking information about whats upsetting them behind the scenes. For instance no one has yet spoken to Abidal about his future yet and we are two games away from the season coming to a close and he is out of contract at the end of the season. Could things like these upsetting the senior players who might be feeling that they are not being accorded the due respect they deserve as seniors? No smoke without fire they say insn't it. But on the other hand, all these things could just be rumours with no basis being bandied about to sell sports tabloids as the season of football is coming to a close!! I wish the later is true...

Building a diverse, complete, and realistic Barcelona team for 2013/2014

2013-05-06T00:44:23Z

Note: Here at Barca Blaugranes, we are always happy to hear or read your opinion on the team, whether it's in the form of a comment, or indeed in a fanpost. This particular, well-written post from long-time community member JBeck12 creates an "ideal" Barcelona squad for next season - do you agree with his assessment?

Transfer talk ever since Barca's crushing 7-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich has increased to a fever pitch. Many reactions have been typical knee-jerk responses to a loss that, while certainly deserved, was exacerbated by injuries and unfit players; not the least of which was Lionel Messi. However, to outright ignore the defeat would be ignorant and naive. While it's hard to come to grips with such a fantastic run ending, the fact of the matter is the bulk of the current Barca squad has spent the past 4-5 years carrying both FCB AND the Spanish Men's National Team. It's sad, but the "golden generation" had to end at some point and with Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez 35 and 33 respectively yet still holding vital positions within the team it's time to start looking ahead to the next generation and the next decade.

To me, Barca's goal should be continual dominance. While this isn't always guaranteed, especially with the rise of German football over the past year, it'd be faulty logic to simply accept a shift in power from Catalonia to Bavaria and the club should do everything within its power to, at the very least, compete with the German powerhouse. A number of problems within the current squad and team template have been recognized, and so this post operates under the following premises:

1. The existing player base is too homogenized. Players are basically, except for small differences, the same in that they prefer the ball played into feet. This brings its own problems, mainly that teams have adapted to counter our system through intense midfield pressing.

2. The current system has become outdated. This does NOT mean Tiki Taka is ineffective, but current application in matches has become stale. Mainly, we require perfect execution for our tactics to prove fruitful, which, against good teams, is simply impossible or highly unlikely. Tactics typically only last for around 4 years, and this makes sense since the current Barca team is operating under Guardiola-era ideology. Which leads to...

3. Tito is the manager now, NOT Guardiola. Thus, statements like, "now this is how a Guardiola team plays" are simply ridiculous. A new identity is necessary.

4. We're going to assume that FCB will employ a budget of 40m euros before any transfers are made.

Okay, so let's dive in, shall we?

Oh, one more note, all potential fees are derived by using transfermarkt.co.uk.

Okay, so this new Barca squad for next season must fulfill the following:

significantly strengthened defense.

an infusion of current B-team players.

the exiting of ancillary, unnecessary players.

a revamped offense which is NOT Messi-dependent. Rather, Messi elevates the team to an exceptional level.

No more than 26 players.

Promotions first:

1. Gerard Deulofeu. It's time. After so much hype for so long it's time for Gerard to make the first team. While I don't expect him to play a tremendous amount, it's important for his development that he be rotated into as many games as possible. He fills a role as an excellent 1v1 player who is the most similar player to Lionel Messi and a potential future replacement. I expect him to most commonly play on either the left or right wing.

2. Sergi Roberto. One of the few Barca midfielders to demonstrate box-to-box qualities, Roberto should develop in the vein of Ilkay Gundogan at Dortmund. Ergo, he should be a physically strong, defensively apt, positionally excellent ball-playing midfielder who can operate in deep positions yet storm forward to assist the offense.

3. Oier Olazabal. While not a future starter, at 23 Oier makes sense as a capable backup keeper. With Pinto as old as he is, bringing Oier up permanently would be a smart move, and one the club is almost certain to make.

Now for loans:

1. Isaac Cuenca. He wants to return to Ajax for another year, and this makes sense. The tricky winger has a future at Barca, but with planned infusions of forward talent letting him develop elsewhere makes sense. Ajax is a great team with great history and perfect for Isaac.

2. Sergi Roberto. Once promoted, Sergi would be best loaned out to develop physically, perhaps to an EPL side like Swansea.

3. Marc Muniesa. After injury, he needs first team playing experience, and that would preferably happen at a club like Ajax.

Transfer sales:

I expect current loanees (besides Cuenca) to be sold. This means Afellay and Fontas will most certainly be sold for small sums, I think 6m and 3m respectively. Also expect Bojan to generate 10-11 million, and I think this is the time we manage to get rid of JDS as well.

But the big transfer sales will be Alexis Sanchez, Victor Valdes and David Villa. Villa can only regress at this point in his career, and while still a good finisher it's time to move to a new player. He's certainly lost some of his pace and explosiveness, but we can still sell him for good money. I expect a move to Liverpool or Arsenal for 15 million. Valdes is not re-signing and we'd be wise to cash in while we can. Sanchez is starting to prove greater worth, but he's a wide playmaker rather than a scorer in a system that doesn't accommodate wide playmakers and needs scorers. At a club like Juve or Inter he'd be excellent and better-used, plus we'd make 25m which we could use for more fitting players. Don't be surprised if he stays, but I have a feeling he'll leave for the right price.

Totaling transfer fees received? I'd wager somewhere around 45-50 million. Song and Cesc are unknowns at this point, and could be sold, but I highly doubt it. Song isn't perfect, but we've spent this long developing him, why make him leave? In time he could be the new Keita, and strong recent performances only support that idea.

Transfer buys:

1. Neymar-Santos. He's on everyone's minds, is almost definitely coming, and makes sense because he'll draw attention from Messi. However, I don't think he completes the offense in any way, shape or form. Remember, diversity is the goal. We still need a player who can tangle with a defense. That comes later though. Neymar provides pace, shooting, trickery, 1v1 skill, and unlimited potential. He can be the next Ronaldinho. Finally, I don't think his transfer fee is tied to the 40m dollar budget. I think the money's already raised, or will be generated through our Nike sponsorship. Neymar at Barca would generate tremendous shirt sales, probably covering the transfer fee in a few months.

2. Mats Hummels-Dortmund. The perfect player to improve our back line, Hummels makes his case as an incredibly complete defender. He can do everything, whether its passing, dribbling, dominating aerially, tackling, or making impressive clearances. At 24, he has time to grow into our system, and represents a better cost to time ratio than say, Thiago Silva, who, similar to comparing David Villa to Aguero, would provide a few seasons of excellence with the other player a much better long term investment. While not the speediest player, our fullbacks provide cover while a Pique-Hummels partnership would form a wall of aerial dominance. Expect the 25m rated Dortmund CB to transfer for around 30m.

3. Marc-Andre ter Stegen-Borussia Monchengladbach. The perfect keeper for Barca. Exceptional handling, great positioning, can operate as a sweeper, you guys know all of this. What it comes down to is transfer fee, and I'd expect ter Stegen to move for around 15 million.

Now recall the earlier statements about transfer budget. 40m existing with possibly 45m coming in from transfers out of the club. There's a realistic possibility that we could knock out a keeper for the next decade and a half as well as a 10 year center back AND Neymar and still have nearly 50 million remaining for other transfers. The hypothetical question is how to put that money to use...

4. Inigo Martinez-Real Sociedad. For around 10 million we could have an incredibly impressive, Puyol-like, left-footed, 21 year old center back who could partner Bartra for years.

5. Stevan Jovetic-Fiorentina. In 2012/2013's most exciting tactical team, Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic would be an ideal Barcelona signing. He's adept as a #9 in a possession based system, and he can also operate as a left winger. Both a lethal finisher and playmaker, Jovetic would provide much needed size to the team as he's over 6 feet tall. There's great versatility here, since we can place him in the center as a point man with Messi behind, deeper as a #10, or on the wing. His size would help in defense too, specifically when there are set pieces. He'd be expensive, 35-40 million or so, but damn, the idea of Neymar-Messi-Jovetic is incredibly enticing.

So here's my 2013/2014 Barcelona squad:

1. Pedro Rodriguez - winger

2. Cristian Tello -winger

3. Gerard Deulofeu- winger

4. Neymar - winger

5. Lionel Messi - center forward

6. Stevan Jovetic - striker

7. Andres Iniesta- central midfielder

8. Xavi Hernandez- central midfielder

9. Sergio Busquets - defensive midfielder

10. Cesc Fabregas- central attacking midfielder

11. Thiago Alcantara - central midfielder

12. Alex Song - central defensive midfielder

13. Javier Mascherano - defensive midfielder/center back

14. Jordi Alba - left back

15. Adriano Correia - left/right back

16. Eric Abidal - center back/left back

17. Carles Puyol - center back

18. Gerard Pique - center back

19. Mats Hummels - center back

20. Marc Bartra - center back/ right back (in the mould of Abidal on the left)

21. Inigo Martinez - center back

22. Martin Montoya - right back

23. Daniel Alves - right back

24. Marc-Andre ter Stegen - goalkeeper

25. Jose Pinto - goalkeeper

26. Oier Olazabal - goalkeeper

--------------ter Stegen-----------------

Montoya--Hummels--Pique--Alba

--------------Busquets------------------

----Thiago---------------Iniesta--------

Neymar------Messi--------Jovetic---

3. Tito is the manager now, NOT Guardiola. Thus, statements like, "now this is how a Guardiola team plays" are simply ridiculous. A new identity is necessary.

4. We're going to assume that FCB will employ a budget of 40m euros before any transfers are made.

Okay, so let's dive in, shall we?

Oh, one more note, all potential fees are derived by using transfermarkt.co.uk.

Okay, so this new Barca squad for next season must fulfill the following:

significantly strengthened defense.

an infusion of current B-team players.

the exiting of ancillary, unnecessary players.

a revamped offense which is NOT Messi-dependent. Rather, Messi elevates the team to an exceptional level.

No more than 26 players.

Promotions first:

Now for loans:

2. Sergi Roberto. Once promoted, Sergi would be best loaned out to develop physically, perhaps to an EPL side like Swansea.

3. Marc Muniesa. After injury, he needs first team playing experience, and that would preferably happen at a club like Ajax.

Transfer sales:

Transfer buys:

4. Inigo Martinez-Real Sociedad. For around 10 million we could have an incredibly impressive, Puyol-like, left-footed, 21 year old center back who could partner Bartra for years.

So here's my 2013/2014 Barcelona squad:

1. Pedro Rodriguez - winger

2. Cristian Tello -winger

3. Gerard Deulofeu- winger

4. Neymar - winger

5. Lionel Messi - center forward

6. Stevan Jovetic - striker

7. Andres Iniesta- central midfielder

8. Xavi Hernandez- central midfielder

9. Sergio Busquets - defensive midfielder

10. Cesc Fabregas- central attacking midfielder

11. Thiago Alcantara - central midfielder

12. Alex Song - central defensive midfielder

13. Javier Mascherano - defensive midfielder/center back

14. Jordi Alba - left back

15. Adriano Correia - left/right back

16. Eric Abidal - center back/left back

17. Carles Puyol - center back

18. Gerard Pique - center back

19. Mats Hummels - center back

20. Marc Bartra - center back/ right back (in the mould of Abidal on the left)

21. Inigo Martinez - center back

22. Martin Montoya - right back

23. Daniel Alves - right back

24. Marc-Andre ter Stegen - goalkeeper

25. Jose Pinto - goalkeeper

26. Oier Olazabal - goalkeeper

--------------ter Stegen-----------------

Montoya--Hummels--Pique--Alba

--------------Busquets------------------

----Thiago---------------Iniesta--------

Neymar------Messi--------Jovetic---

Transfer Window

2013-05-04T15:30:34Z

Who should Tito Vilanova buy

1. Ter Stegen

With Valdes leaving getting a GK will our priority. Ter Stegen is just 21 and he can last for 20 years at FCB we are hitting a jackpot here. Some say he is the next Oliver Khan. Expectations are high with this kid, and I am sure he can achieve the status he is projected to achieve. He is very good at his feet which is what Barcelona exactly wants a goalkeeper who is also a sweeper. What excites him most about him is that he plays for a team which does not have world class CBs so he is not as protected as other GKs Barca is aiming to get like De Gea or Courtois. Which is exactly the situation at Barcelona he wont be protected by CBs with Barcelona’s style of pressing high up the pitch. So he will be perfectly trained for the situation he is going to face.

2. Hummels

Barcelona seriously needs a CB and he is the best option they got out there, Thiago Silva,28 is a little too old as he will be only be able to play at top level for the next four years. But Hummels is just 24 and with a height of 1.92m he can solve the problem of Barcelona’s short squad. With Pique and Hummels in the backline we would not need to be worried everytime a cross comes into our penalty box as these two will most probably win those air duels. He is just too good tailor made CB that if we don’t get him I will be banging my head against the wall.

3. Neymar

There is no need for introduction for him. But I feel that he will suit well with Barcelona’s system. The reason Barca is too dependent on Messi is that the wingers Barca have are not able to score. The reason for this is that is that Alexis was never a scoring winger, he scored all those goals in Udinese while he was playing in Messi’s role, Pedro is playing too wide to score, Villa is not the old David Villa after that horrible injury. But Neymar is different, he is a winger who can score, as shown by his scoring record although playing as a left winger. So adding will lift the scoring burden off Messi a little. Though there are various other wingers who can score available in the market who have European experience, the money spent on buying neymar can be raised through various other avenues. So its like getting a world class player for free, who wouldn’t want that.

4. CavanI

What is frustrating about Barcelona is that it has been some time since we knew that if our oppositions park the bus we will struggle, and yet they are unwilling to get a tall and physical Forward. One of the reason cited for not doing so is that Messi is less effective if he is a winger as the tall forward needs to play in the center of the attack. But Cavani is different he can play as a left forward like the role played by David Villa in the AC Milan second leg match. So that both players can be effective at the same time. But Jordi Alba would need to play higher up the pitch to provide the width in attack.

5. Gundogan

Xavi is 33, his age is catching up on him, he is falling prey to too much injuries recently. Without him Barca lose their colours, Fabregas is not the Xavi type of player and Thiago is more of a Iniesta like player. At first Isco seemed to be the perfect replacement but after the Real Madrid – Doturmund match Gundogan is a perfect replacement for Xavi.

Who should Tito Vilanova sell

1. David Villa

He seems too under-appreciated at Barca and he is not receiving enough playing time to justify his quality and I think he should leave.

2. Alexis Sanchez

The amount of misses by him is way too high, and he does not deserve to start for Barcelona at all. There is no use saying that he does a lot of defensive work as his primary objective is to score when he is not scoring what is the use of him playing.

3. Fabregas

Barcelona is being too emotional, sometimes you need to be more objective. Selling Fabregas is a win-win situation for both parties as Fabregas will get more playing time. There is no use of dreaming that he will replace Xavi because he will not. He is a completely different type of player.

4. Victor Valdes

Just sell him we don’t need a player who doesn’t want to play for us

Who should Tito Vilanova buy

1. Ter Stegen

2. Hummels

3. Neymar

4. CavanI

5. Gundogan

Who should Tito Vilanova sell

1. David Villa

He seems too under-appreciated at Barca and he is not receiving enough playing time to justify his quality and I think he should leave.

2. Alexis Sanchez

3. Fabregas

4. Victor Valdes

Just sell him we don’t need a player who doesn’t want to play for us

Problems in Barcelona

2013-05-04T13:14:07Z

Changes have to be made if Barca wants to get back to become world beaters again. There are three main reasons for the current downfall of Barcelona

1. The lack of motivation, the majority of the current Barca squad are holders of two champions league medal, two Euro cup holders and a World Cup achievers. After achieving so much it is very hard to keep the motivation going on, ist is rumoured that one of the reason Pep Guardiola left Barca was his inability to motivate the players.

2. The injuries. This part can be separated into two. the first being the integral players of Barca are getting no younger, Xavi is 33 and Puyol is 35. At such an old age it is impossible to play week in week out without sustaining injuries. The other being the lack of squad depth. For the two CB positions in Barca there is only two world class CBs available, Masch is good at playing there but he is no CB. Song failed miserably playing there, and Batra was too inexperienced.

3. Being too predictable. Everyone in the world knows how Barcelona will play their next game, there has to be tactical variations for us to catch our opponents off guard. So after about 4 years of the teams trying to break the tiki taka, it seems that the recipe to that has already been born as suggested by the recent losses of Barcelona.

Changes have to be made if Barca wants to get back to become world beaters again. There are three main reasons for the current downfall of Barcelona

Was the 2002 FIFA World Cup a scandal?

2013-05-04T10:40:15Z

So, I was watching this video on YouTube which showed that the South Korean players were consistently fouling the players from the other team and still the referee took no action. However, when the players from the other team appeared to be "fouling" them, the referee gave straight yellow and red cards. If we actually look at the facts and the teams, would it really seem likely that South Korea would go on to beat Portugal, Italy and Spain in the World Cup? I dont' think so, and that's what most people out there think, too. Along with fouls, the game with Spain saw the referee consistently raising his flag for offside, even though some of them shouldn't have been.

Here is the video I was talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=5x_K6b3jcik&NR=1

So, what do you people think about that video? Comment below!

(This post is not intended to offend South Korea and their football team, it is just to see what other people thought about that video)

Here is the video I was talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=5x_K6b3jcik&NR=1

So, what do you people think about that video? Comment below!

(This post is not intended to offend South Korea and their football team, it is just to see what other people thought about that video)

There is an old saying that if you want to ruin a big thing (forgive me for saying that) let a small man take control of it.

2013-05-02T07:31:23Z

I might be angry! but I am sure as hell upset! Not because we lost, because there was no head being held high. Because we were a loser from the beginning and not at the end. On second thought! I might find some happiness in there. Why? Because I could go on and on to blame the poor defending, lack of motivation, physical status of Barca players and lot of other things. I could even say that if Messi was there, things would have been different. But, would it? Messi's playing just hide Barca's problems which are many. But let's start with the very own fact that why Messi was not there?It is simple because he played on Saturday and after the match he felt some problems! Oh really? Why on earth he was not rested ahead of such an important match? Why was he not rested any many other matches this season? Maybe because Tito felt the team has already lost the war to Bayern and so it is better to win La Liga instead, something we would eventually win!!! And you know what, he has done it the whole season, with playing every first team player in every unimportant matches all the year causing them to 1. Get injured 2. Get physically exhausted so much that they would be outdone by simply the strength of Bayern. What happened to those close pressings that the team used to make? It is all gone since no one does have the strength to do that. And by doing that he simply has not allowed youngsters like Bartra get playing time so when they are needed, they would have the required experience to enter to such big games or even an ordinary game. I remember everyone was killing itself as to why young players do not get playing time. Well, it all talk of the past, but let's not forget Pedro, Busi and many others came out good players because of the same method: they got playing time Let's get back to motivation part, it is the job of the coach to motivate the team players. Well the job is currently in the hands of Messi, not the coach as if one day Messi is not there, there is no winning mentality any more! Amazing!!! I should continue about lack of new approaches to the game, no tactical variation and many other things that we were missing. Tito have lost the tactical battle many times against Mouriniho, Heycknes and many others. We have seen him stoned in all big matched looking for players to make up for him. Well that 's how the Messi dependencia began from the first place! We need a new approach! and definitely a new coach, someone with good tactical knowledge, good game reading ability, courage (something we have never seen in Titio - sending Messi in is not an act of courage, is running away from problems), confidence in the team and the players and the ability to motivate the players in big times. With all due respect, Tito has none. He might be courageous in his personal life, but not in his professional one. Let's not our sympathy for the guy hinder our judgment and our professionalism.

In Response to magical_messi pt.2

2013-04-27T02:29:40Z

Firstly, I want to thank magical_messi for another great article he posted about why Barcelona didn't buy a new CB in the last transfer window, but after the loss in the Champions League and all, I feel that I have too much to say for a comment. This is another response to my internet friend and thought-provoker, magical_messi!

Puyol has been possibly the best CB in the club's history, and Barcelona knows and respects his feelings because he has given us and the club so much. Above all though, they treat every player in the squad with much more respect than a team like Chelsea or Real Madrid, and even a team like Manchester United. This is why Barcelona is 'More Than A Club', every true Cule is a member of a big family. People write about Barcelona all the time on so many different websites, explaining how Messi did this or Iniesta did that, and breaking down the tactics and the magic that tore down a mega bus. There are so many reasons to admire Barcelona as a club, and this is why, especially over the past decade, it has been the most interesting and amazing club in the world to follow. We have so many writers across the globe writing article after article about so many different things to do with the club, much more than any other team in the world.

It is the club of passion, Tiki-Taka, pass-till-you-die, attacking football that wins fans' and journalists' hearts across the globe. We have also been gifted with this current crop of players, and Barca knows this better than all of us. Puyol is club captain and one of the best defenders the game has ever seen, as well as one of the best leaders the game has ever seen. He should be nurtured by the club, as we know he may be on his last legs, until he hangs up his boots. Eric is the same, although he was not raised at La Masia like Puyol, albeit he is still family and a morale changer here. Whoever Pique is partnered with next season, let's hope he finds his CB soulmate for years to come.

As for this End-of-an-Era talk, it is bullshit. Despite our club identity and our playing style, which can be outdone and figured out, our squad talent cannot. The same goes for our unparalleled team chemistry. I sort of hate to admit this, but our talent has kept us above defeat on more than one occasion. This team has been built around three players - Messi, Xavi, Iniesta. Everyone knows this. Of course they cannot last forever, and younger players such as Thiago, Fabregas and Busquets will be handed the reigns when they retire. But these special three, these wizards that make the impossible possible, the three that have flooded the Barcelona halls with trophies and accolades of every size, shape and significance, the three that have made this very style of play a worldwide success that has had teams and fans alike shocked and awed at how one can work in such a confined space with so little time and under such high pressure and still come out with the ball at their feet, are the ones that have made this team what it is today. They are the most dynamic trio the game has ever seen. They carried out the actions that Pep so cleverly planned, and they have the talent and the technique to do it to such an optimal degree it made the opposition look like a bunch of fools. These three, through thick and thin, through the high-rolling, silverware-laden seasons to the class of 11-12, the season than promised so much yet delivered so little, have kept this club what it is today. They are role models to every player on the planet, in fact, any person who enjoys kicking a ball. Sure, Busquets has his genius defensive-attack roll, Puyol has his iron-fist roll and Alves has his fantastic partnership with Messi down the right, but Messi, Xavi and Iniesta are the three. As long as we have these three, we are safe.

This squad does need a 'shake-up', and maybe we need something to really shake it up. You may not agree, but I believe as well as Neymar and either Hummels or Marquinhos, Ilkay Gundogan would be a terrific game-changer to have in midfield. The kid has talent only found in a select handful of youth today, and while I feel sorry for Dortmund and how they are having their talent taken away from them, I feel the kid would be worth at least heavily scouting, if not pursuing for this transfer window. David Villa has been a massive part of the success of this squad for a few seasons now, but after that terrible injury he suffered midway through last season, he just hasn't been quite the same. He needs to move on for his own sake. Villa, thank you so much and all the best for many happy days to come for you and your family. Neymar, I think, is coming. Coming now. This, my fellow Cules, is it. But that is for another time and place. I have always had a soft spot for Isco and I know that he and Messi are essentially best friends, but I don't think he will come, at least this year.

I think Macherano may be sold along with Villa, as he has not been used as well as in previous seasons, however I am not sure on this. JDS may also be in search of a new home as well come the summer. These are the only three players I feel will be leaving the squad for good next season, along with loanees Bojan, Afellay and Fontas.

I wish the best to the players I have mentioned that leave, and the best to the players that come - welcome to the family of FC Barcelona, your services are most definitely required.

To conclude, this season has been a success, considering this is the first year in charge for role model Tito Vilanova, who has tremendously helped this club win the league. Looking forward to next season with this fantastic coach. Jordi, some of us have had some rough words for you over the course of this season, but boy did you prove us wrong when you thrashed the living daylights out of Milan 4-0!

Us Cules have a lot to be thankful for, and this is why I have taken the time to:

(a) respond to magical_messi's great points about the club and

(b) thank the club for managing the players so well and the players for bringing us so much joy and happiness over the course of our time following this club, especially over the past decade.

To Barca fans, for Barca fans, we will rise again. Europe will be ours, La Liga will remain ours, and the doubters will eat their words.

The talent is too much.

The bond is too strong.

The identity is too significant.

Thank you for reading.

Visca Barca!

I wish the best to the players I have mentioned that leave, and the best to the players that come - welcome to the family of FC Barcelona, your services are most definitely required.

Us Cules have a lot to be thankful for, and this is why I have taken the time to:

(a) respond to magical_messi's great points about the club and

(b) thank the club for managing the players so well and the players for bringing us so much joy and happiness over the course of our time following this club, especially over the past decade.

To Barca fans, for Barca fans, we will rise again. Europe will be ours, La Liga will remain ours, and the doubters will eat their words.

The talent is too much.

The bond is too strong.

The identity is too significant.

Thank you for reading.

Visca Barca!

Why Barcelona Didn't buy a centre back !

2013-04-26T19:19:49Z

Most fans were desperate to see a new centre back on his way to Barcelona last summer, however they had to deal with the fact no one was on that road.

instead Barcelona brought in Alex Song... however that's another story , we've had many debates on Alex Song as a player and there is mixed opinions still on the signing ( I believe he's good ) but as I said its another debate !

So why when most people could see a centre back ( a big name ) was needed to strengthen our defence Barcelona did not !

The answer ...... Carles Puyol !?!?!?

In my opinion and from people I have spoken too who closely follow every move which Barcelona makes believes the same too.

Barcelona is a club that in my opinion and in many others is different to most clubs in the way it treats its players.

Many big clubs don't look after players emotions and thoughts and only see them as being good if they are generally playing good. Barcelona isn't a club that continually goes out to buy the next best thing, the newest talent, the most inform this and that player in the world etc. ( leave that to Madrid, Man city, Chelsea and PSG etc ) who really spend big every season in hope glory comes too them, meanwhile they ship out as quickly as they got in their once so called " important players to the club " because they maybe had a slight off season.

It's clear that this season so the start of the campaign Piqué was going to be our main centre back alongside Puyol. Even if and recently people are taking a few digs at pique, he's certainly one of the Barcelona favourites, and one of the first on the team sheet! I don't blame piqué for recent events, because IMO to do well at cb you need a partnership which he has not had this year.

with the likes of Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano, Song, Busquets able to fill in at centre back... Did Barcelona see it as almost dis crediting Puyol for his service ( which are massive to the club ) ? If a big name centre back was bought!

Carles Puyol is as we all no a legend at the Camp Nou , someone who's stood up so many times and grabbed games by the Scruff of the kneck and lead his team to glory !

So I believe and Puyol said he was able to keep playing at a good level and continue to lead Barcelona, so who is anyone to argue against that ? , whether your a fan or Pep or Tito , if Puyol says that and believes and he did say this along these lines at the beginning of the season that he's ready to have another good successful season and feels good !

So lets say Barcelona last summer bough Thiago Silva for example , are you really going to bench Puyol if lets say was fully fit all this season ? And just replace him like that with Thiago silva ? After all he has done for Barcelona! Or bench piqué and get his back up, and then when Puyol goes, in need of a new one! and piqué did start brilliantly. Or are you generally going to buy silva and say you sit on the bench for this season! NO is the answer!

Ok you could say but that's naive, and Barcelona should have or thought about whether Puyol would get injured, but surely then Barcelona have the talent like Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano all able to easily fill and put in a good shift when needed in laliga etc. It would be very unfortunate and crazy to think Adriano, puyol, mascherano to all be injured at the same time wouldn't it at the beginning off the season ? But guess what as we all know it happened all three got injured at the same time during the season... And that is just very unlucky , like very unlucky .... Wait there VERY AND ANNOYINGLY UNLUCKY!

So after this seasons events and because of this and another year onto Puyol, he himself will probably say this summer that yes lets buy a world class centre back ! And I just think Barcelona might! If they want to rule Europe again!

And what Barcelona did in the summer ( and I believe the case above could be the reason ) was great and showed that it respects it's players so much , it produces it's talents from la Masia it helps them it brings out the best in them and believe in them before others! And that is special ...

People of late after recent events say this is the End of an Era ! I'm sorry but I cannot agree, we still have Messi , iniesta , Xavi the best three players to ever play together IMO , then Pique, pedro , Busquets, alves , alba as another set or brilliant player... With more talented youth starting to come through ... With thiago , tello , Deulofeu and Roberto...

and then with say a few players coming in looking like Neymar and hopefully the world class cb ( hummels, silva who knows? ) maybe it's the start of a new one remember this has been a hard season with Tito and Abidal fighting against illness, the player injuries , the players whom all becoming fathers for the first time ( this does have a massive effect surely, well maybe not on Messi but he's god haha) ! Lets say with all this happening I would be definetedly and call it a success to still have all these wonderful players, laliga (should be won ) Tito and Abidal back IMO that's a successful campaign, lets not forget its a hugely strong Real Madrid at the hands of the so called special one, then atletico Madrid at its best in years, yet we are lucking like running away with laliga!

I agree that the squad and tactics need tweaking in order to beat the big guns again, to regain el classico dominance to be kings of Europe again, but lets not be too greedy and appreciate this season, its far from a failure of a season!

surely Cules here don't think its the end of an era do they ?

people have different opinions on neymar who looks certain to be a Barcelona player sooner or later, but imo new faces, talent can refreshen the squad to go win again ! perhaps we got complacent in europe, teams worked us out, now lets evolve and tweak the tiki taka, not get rid of it, why should we, add to it, strengthen it! We will have a more experienced Tito next season, I think less pressure in terms of knowing we don't just have to go all out laliga ( which IMO we dd this season ) hence there was not much rotation, when many thought they should of been, because it was obvious the main target was bringing back La liga!

Oh and lets believe we can at least perform well vs Bayern and who knows what can happen, Lets give Abidal a chance in the second leg !

And I hope we will then have three world class cb next year!

MES QUE UN CLUB !

Most fans were desperate to see a new centre back on his way to Barcelona last summer, however they had to deal with the fact no one was on that road.

So why when most people could see a centre back ( a big name ) was needed to strengthen our defence Barcelona did not !

The answer ...... Carles Puyol !?!?!?

In my opinion and from people I have spoken too who closely follow every move which Barcelona makes believes the same too.

Barcelona is a club that in my opinion and in many others is different to most clubs in the way it treats its players.

Carles Puyol is as we all no a legend at the Camp Nou , someone who's stood up so many times and grabbed games by the Scruff of the kneck and lead his team to glory !

surely Cules here don't think its the end of an era do they ?

Oh and lets believe we can at least perform well vs Bayern and who knows what can happen, Lets give Abidal a chance in the second leg !

And I hope we will then have three world class cb next year!

MES QUE UN CLUB !

Fc Barcelona vs Fc Bayern munich....Caught in the trap !

2013-04-25T08:19:59Z

After a very disappointing night in Munich surely Cules have been asking questions , which is fine because it only shows people care !

In my opinion Barcelona are still the best team in the world however they are coming up short at the moment in the big big games vs European giants because of tactics. Vs Bayern they didn't out play us IMO but tactically they did.

Bayern had a plan one which Real Madrid use and very successfully ( even if It kills me to say it ) it was nothing new.

sit deep>> make the middle of the pitch very small >> stop Messi >> foul when needed >> counter very quickly >> clinical finishing !

I don't think we need major changes or personnel but its obvious we need tweaks ! We need a game plan to beat the teams that do this to us, it's a simple as that. And the other night I believe we looked lost and ran quickly out of ideas to get through the wall bayern put up. So many times even Gomez was behind the ball , all players chasing like dogs, this makes it extremely hard for us to make space, however all our front three came to the ball and never tried to get behind them, which would obviously stretch the pitch, but it was like we thought we would just keep the ball. We all know the pattern, Pass to pedro /alexis, wiggle hips pass back ! And back to piqué ! Something must be done its true ! I know our defence ain't too good ATM but jheez we couldn't even get a good chance !

People commenting and say tiki taka is over , however last night wasn't tiki taka, the passing was slow lethargic and without a purpose! We simply didn't shift there back line enough !

however I think things will change in the summer , do you ?

whats everyone's view, what players are realistic that should come in !

i think we should buy

Mats hummels without doubt !

neymar obvs is on his way !

a GK ( however barca have stated they will only sell valdes this summer if a replacement has already been bought )

and I also think a central striker , who's experienced , quite tall and will come on and score a few, a Larsson esc signing !

your thoughts ?

After a very disappointing night in Munich surely Cules have been asking questions , which is fine because it only shows people care !

Bayern had a plan one which Real Madrid use and very successfully ( even if It kills me to say it ) it was nothing new.

sit deep>> make the middle of the pitch very small >> stop Messi >> foul when needed >> counter very quickly >> clinical finishing !

People commenting and say tiki taka is over , however last night wasn't tiki taka, the passing was slow lethargic and without a purpose! We simply didn't shift there back line enough !

however I think things will change in the summer , do you ?

whats everyone's view, what players are realistic that should come in !

i think we should buy

Mats hummels without doubt !

neymar obvs is on his way !

a GK ( however barca have stated they will only sell valdes this summer if a replacement has already been bought )

and I also think a central striker , who's experienced , quite tall and will come on and score a few, a Larsson esc signing !

your thoughts ?

is tito using the remaining league games to plan for next season

2013-04-21T16:05:23Z

It has been stated Tito will want a first team squad of 22 or 23 players for next season, after watching yesterday's performance, the players that stood out were abidal, song, tiago and even adriano put in a good performance at cb, but I couldnt help but notice how David Villa looked uninterested, this was a worrying sign as I sure Tito will want if is the case of the squad number to retain players who show drive and hunger in what I will call rotation games, maybe Villa sealed his own fate in that game, I believe it will be fontas,jds,affellay, Villa, and possibly Sanchez who will be let go from the squad, barca without doubt should retain bartra, sergio Roberto American tello, but I believe we could be looking at a slightly different barca but played in the same style next season as tito will no doubt want to put his own mark on the first team, anyone have any thoughts on what the squad maybe and who may come in and go