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This years’ summer transfer window has seen the Catalan club acquire exactly one player, Kiko Femenia. Not only is the youngster the only purchase FC Barcelona has made so far, he’s not even considered first team material, at least not now. Jonathan dos Santos is linked with a transfer to Real Zaragoza while Thiago and Andreu Fontas have been promoted to the first team. Still, FC Barcelona’s central defense remains a huge concern. There are question marks over Fontas’ readiness to step it up at the very highest level. He seems to be reluctant to commit to 50/50 challenges. In addition, ex-Zaragoza player Gabriel Milito is definitely a shadow of his former world-class self. Which brings us to the players I deem unfit to wear the FC Barcelona jersey aka the Blaugrana dead weight.
So who qualifies for this elected group of misfits? Quite a few players, I’m afraid.
Let’s start with the defense:
Gabriel Milito
Ever since his career-threatening injury in 2008 he hasn’t been the imperious center-back FC Barcelona purchased for €20 million back in 2007. It’s surprising why Pep Guardiola was so eager to hold onto the Argentinean in the January transfer window. Whenever Milito is on the pitch, something is bound to happen. More often than not, he is producing something horrible.
Henrique
Um….has he ever played a game for the Blaugrana? No. That says it all.
Midfield:
Alexandr Hleb
I’m still amazed at the fact that FC Barcelona purchased the Belarusian in the first place, for a considerable €16 million. He produced next to nothing in his first season with the Blaugrana, refused to move to Inter Milan as part of the Zlatan Ibrahimovic operation and even failed to convince in his two loan spells with Stuttgart and Birmingham. His stubbornness has arguably cost him a second successive treble with Inter Milan, where he would’ve been a better fit than with FC Barcelona. He really thinks that playing for Birmingham City FC is beneath him but he wasn’t good enough for the Blaugrana. So where does that leave him, hopefully anywhere but Catalunya.
Seydou Keita
Although the Malian racked up the most appearance of any Barca outfield player (the majority of them as substitute) it’s time for him to leave FC Barcelona. At 31 years of age he isn’t likely to impose himself in the starting XI and the fact that he is content being a bit-part player is worryingly. Players need to have ambition but Keita doesn’t seem to have any. Besides if Cesc Fabregas does indeed join the Blaugrana, Keita is guaranteed to play even less minutes. Thiago is the future of FC Barcelona, Ibrahim Afellay is lucky to be as versatile as he is whereas Sergio Busquets is a guaranteed starter and Javier Mascherano an all-around defensive option. Seydou Keita has got to go.
Keirrison
Another expensive Brazilian who has never played for FC Barcelona and is already considered a massive flop. Ever since Barca signed the player from Palmerias in 2009 he has been sent out on loan no less than three times, Benfica, Fiorentina and Santos. He failed at all three clubs in three different countries. Enough said.
Bojan
The ex-La Masia prodigy is undoubtedly a special talent which is why he shouldn’t waste his time warming the bench for David Villa or Lionel Messi. He needs games, now. But it’s partly his fault too. The arrival of David Villa should’ve made it clear that Pep Guardiola didn’t deem Bojan ready to become a starter. He should’ve at least considered a loan spell with another club. A striker doesn’t become a better player from sitting on the bench, regardless of who he is observing. For his own good, he needs to go now.
Well if you have any suggestions or disagree with my assessment please leave a comment.
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