Two things have been responsible for FC Barcelona still being a major force in European football-the club's style of play and Lionel Messi.Barca's traditional tikitaka make them a very difficult side to play against but over time,a dearth in top class playing personnel has gradually come to trouble them.To take it from the very top,Sergio Busquets.In Yaya Toure,the club had an athletic,strong and combustive defensive midfielder that provided very ample cover for the back four.Barca was at the peak of its powers when he left and being an attacking side whose short passing style allowed players win back the ball swiftly,he wasn't exactly indispensable.
A Busquets who in addition to being Catalonian also had a father that once played for the club would do.He was skilful for a defensive midfielder,could pass the ball and hold onto it or a few decent seconds before he is muscled off it.He loses virtually all physical battles and has to foul to check a move his peers ordinarily wouldn't.But thankfully, we were able to get through the years without much problems.
However in these times when as a defensive unit the team has grown less cohesive,the need for a real defensive midfielder,not necessarily a playing one,is very glaring.A more physical player at the base of our 3 man midfield to make up for Barca's defensive excesses especially against the more formidable sides-Liverpool et al.
In Arturo Vidal,the club has someone ready-made for that role.Vidal not only has the strength and presence,he has a knack for joining the attack.Despite having had limited playing time,Vidal,Arthur and perhaps Philippe Coutinho have been arguably the only decent signings by the club in the last 3 seasons.Barca have gradually grown from plucking the very best players available to settling for mid-table talent.
Too much money is being sunk into procuring players either coming in to struggle or outrightly under-perform.It doesn't help also that the club has not been able to nurture its young talents as well as it used to.Jordi Alba is not quite the player he used to be at left back and even though the issue of a deputy has been raised on a number of occasions,it is sad that the club let the opportunity to trigger its €4M buy-back clause on exciting 20 year old SD Eibar full back, Marc Cucurella slip by.
In Cucurella they had a player who would not only cover for Alba but also one who would stake a strong claim for a first team place.Barca's transfer policy over the last few seasons have come to hurt it.The club would be right to want to raise funds by disposing off Ivan Rakitic as is being whispered in some quarters but then as far as out goings go,Ousmane Dembele should top that list.If not for anything,his £220,000 weekly pay.He has had enough time to prove himself when fit and in as much as he is a good player,he is not just Barca quality.
The main transfer targets this summer are Antoinne Griezmann and Matthijs De Ligt and both aren't what the club exactly needs.It would be splendid to get an extra attacking player to ensure a vibrant forward line on days either of Messi or Suarez is injured,rested or replaced but not if that player would cost over £100M.
It only makes sense that Fc Barcelona will cough out such a huge sum for a player coming to occupy the largely latent left attacking slot but since Barca adopted the 3 man forward line,it has worked for it in no small measure thanks to players operating on opposite flanks.Players who cut in on their stronger foot to take shots or lay the right passes.Griezmann is a left footed player and won't be as effective as a right-footed attacker.
There is no way in the world he will bench Lionel Messi or Luiz Suarez and even though his experience as a supporting striker could enable him slot into a midfield position,everyone knows Barca would rather pay that sum for a natural orchestrator.Crystal Palace's Wilfred Zaha is a more natural fit for Barca's left and will cost much less than Griezmann.
Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt's young age and leadership experience would excite just about any club in world football but he shouldn't be deemed a priority for Barca.At least not one more than €80M should be forked out for without having purchased an experienced central midfielder to hold forth while the very promising duo of Arthur and Carlos Alena complete their adaptation and maturation processes respectively.In Pique,Lenglet,Umtiti and Vermalen,the club can make do with what it has.
The reason why some fans want Ernesto Valverde out doesn't have to do with his tactics as much has it does with a need to have a bigger figure in the dug-out.One who wouldn't simply nod to any list of players submitted to him but one with balls large enough to dictate to the club the type of players he needs to achieve his set goals.A lot has to change about Barca and most of it is primarily hinged on getting its transfer business right.
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