The Camp Nou conundrum

Barcelona have been reeling this year

A new manager, a new marquee signing and the best player injured; the 2013-14 season at the Catalan club had to kick off only with an iota of doubt. Things were moving smoothly in the early parts of the season with a decent run in La Liga and a more than decent run in the Champions League.

In all fairness, one would have confidently put his money on a La Liga victory and a Champions League top four finish for FC Barcelona. But that wasn’t the way things panned out for Barca. The level of competition in both the La Liga and the Champions League was too much for them and they succumbed to the pressure. They bid adieu to the Champions League and did all but bow out of the La Liga race, all in one single week.

So what exactly went wrong? Who was responsible for this dismal debacle? A rough analysis yields us four culprits:

• The squad chemistry
• Coaching tactics
• Club transfers
• The board

It all started off with Sandro Rossell winning the presidential elections in 2010, taking over the position from Joan Laporta. This led to several other events that weakened the club right from the beginning of the Rossell era. First and foremost, he developed differences with a monumental figure of the club – Johan Cruyff. He was stripped of his title of honourary president by Sandro Rossell. He was insulted and left the club.

The then coach, Pep Guardiola, whose mentor was Johan Cruyff also performed below par during that season. With absolutely no support from the board, Guardiola left the ship to slowly sink and took a sabbatical. Guardiola was succeeded by none other than his assistant coach Tito Vilanova. Tito’s tactics weren’t as strong as Guardiola’s but still, he managed to win La Liga. Due to health problems, Tito had to step down at the end of the 2012-13 season.

For the next season, the 2013-14 season, the next coach came from Argentina. Right from the beginning of the 2013-14 season, things were going wrong with the board. There was a legal issue with the transfer of Brazilian star Neymar from Santos and because of this, Sandro Rossell had to step down.

The mood in the team was also no different. Valdes and Puyol decided to leave at the end of the season. There was no proper Centre Back to replace Mascherano. Injuries here and there, wrong players playing in the wrong positions, the total team chemistry was a flop. Andoni Zubizarreta made absolute howlers dealing with the transfers.

Thus, the debacle of Barca can collectively attributed to various factors. This trend cannot continue for long and thus solutions must be sought after. One of the solutions that can be considered is a total revamp. Here’s a plausible one that might prove to be the catalyst for the much needed resurrection:

People who would leave the club:

1. Victor ValdesBarca and Spain’s goalkeeper decided to leave the ship in the last season itself, but instead offered to stay for one more season so that he could give some leeway for the club to find a suitable successor. But things took an unfortunate turn as he tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament in March, thereby ruling him out for the rest of the season and also for the World Cup. He was tipped to beat the legendary Iker Casillas to get the number one position in Spain, but all in vain.
2. Carles PuyolThe veteran Centre Back decided to retire from the game and move away from Barcelona so that he could pave way for new talents. His last two seasons have been plagued with injuries and this appears to be the perfect time for him to step out. The only thing that Barca will miss the most is his leadership and the never-say-never attitude.

People who should leave the club

1. Josep Maria BartomeuThe current president of the club who took over from Sandro Rossell for the interim period before the elections next year. Lack of experience at the top level will make a case against him. He doesn’t appear to be a genuine president’s material.
   

   Andoni Zubizarretta

2. Andoni ZubizarretaThe former Barcelona and Spain’s goal guardian has conceded a lot of goals since taking over as the director of football at the club from Txiki Begiristain. The most logical signing he must have made is of a Centre Back, which he failed. The next, he was unable to convince Puyol or Valdes to stay at the club. He should have been long gone.
3. Gerardo ‘Tata’ MartinoThe Argentine who hails from the same place as Lionel Messi was a student of Marcelo Bielsa. Having led Paraguay into the quarter finals of the World Cup in 2010, he was called upon to replace Tito Vilanova. Though his approach was clearer early, his tactics seem to be exceedingly predictable and this suggests that he might not be the perfect man for a club of Barcelona’s stature. He is a good coach, but not good enough. Sorry, Tata.
4. Jose Manuel PintoThe former Celta de Vigo goalie is already 38 now and is long past his peak. He was bought to replace Victor Valdes since Albert Jorquera was injured back in 2007. But now, the time is up for Pinto and it is for the best of both the club and him to part ways.
5. Daniel AlvesDani was a terrific find for Barca, from Sevilla. For the initial three seasons, he was doing exceedingly well, but in the last couple of seasons his performances have dipped. He is a great passer of the ball, but has completely lost his pace. Martin Montoya would be the ideal replacement for Dani Alves. One of the mistakes made by Martino this season was not giving enough playing time for Montoya even though he proved his worth several times.
6. Alexandre SongTill today, nobody has absolutely any clue as to why he was bought from Wenger’s Arsenal. He is definitely a great player, but Barcelona isn’t the right place for him. His signing will remain as one of the worst howlers Zubizarreta made during his tenure. He came into the club as a deadwood and this deadwood needs to be chucked out so that he could prove his actual worth in some other club.
7. Jonathan Dos SantosYet another case of being exceedingly talented but needs to be chucked out because of acute lack of space. For the position of Centre Midfield, already Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Busquets, Song, Sergi Roberto and Ibrahim Afellay are competing. Jonathan is recovering from an injury and it is best for him to leave the club post complete recovery, either on loan or permanently.
8. Ibrahim AfellayThe Dutch national hasn’t been fully fit for even one full season. Unfortunately, the really talented attacking midfielder is losing his game due to lack of playing time. He has just recovered from an injury and it’ll be best for him to go back to the Netherlands to pursue his career there.
9. Isaac CuencaIsaac was put into regular use by Pep Guardiola. The next season he was loaned out to Ajax where he got injured. The quick footed fragile Spaniard has humungous talent, but at Barca, it will be too competitive for him to handle.
10. Cristian TelloThe biggest regret. The young six footed winger has been a terrific player for Barca. He is a player who seldom wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. He was a prominent figure in the line-up during the Guardiola and Tito eras, but has seen almost only the bench this season. It is an insult to his talent and he must be loaned out.

People who should be brought into the club:

1. Joan LaportaThis Spanish lawyer is the best man to be the president of the club. He has proved it and he is still hungry to do something to the club. So, if he wins in the next presidential elections, which looks most evident, it’ll be a big boost for Barca.
2. Johan CruyffBarcelona badly requires the help of the Dutch again. He was insulted by Sandro Rossell and left the club in bad blood. All possible amendments must be made to bring back his expertise into the Catalan club. If Joan Laporta arrives, it’ll be better because Cruyff and Laporta maintain a brilliant rapport. Till date, whatever he has predicted has come true.

   “Throughout my career, I’ve simply tried to instill what I learned from Johan Cruyff. He has had the biggest influence on football out of anyone in the world, first as a player and then as a coach. He taught me a lot and you can see that in the fact that so many of his former players are now coaches, because he made sure his love for the sport got through to us. He’s very special to us.” ~ Pep Guardiola

   This genius must be brought back, without further ado.

   

   A lot of work needed for Barcelona to get back to where they belong

3. Frank de BoerFrank is the second Dutch person from whom Barca must seek help. De Boer will be the best replacement for Tata Martino for four reasons. He has been a student of Johan Cruyff. He has played for Barcelona, thus he perfectly knows what is what. He has played with Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and Valdes and thus the coach-player chemistry will tend to be good. He has defeated Barca twice with Ajax and thus basically, he will give Barca, a pressing mentality combined with Tiki-Taka – an enhanced version of what Guardiola provided.
4. Marc Andre Ter StegenProbably, the best decision made by Zubizarreta. He has been scouting Marc for the past one year and reports say that a deal has already been struck between Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach for 10 million euros. Marc is good on the ball with the feet which is an important part of Barca’s Tiki-Taka style and he has also proved that he’s a terrific keeper on many occasions.
5. Jordi MasipHe must be promoted from the B team where he doesn’t deserve to be. Oier must be sent back to the B team in return or must be loaned out to some La Liga team. Ter Stegen and Jordi Masip can form a partnership till the former grows familiar with the club and atmosphere of La Liga. Jordi Masip is a top keeper who Victor Valdes himself said once that he would love to see the homegrown Masip becoming his successor.
6. Patricio GabarronThe young B team right back was a part of the main team during the pre-season and it must be said that he was pretty good, showing off his worth. He would be a good addition to the squad if Dani Alves leaves. Martin Montoya can permanently seal the right back position for himself and Patric can be an effective second right back for the team.
7. Mats HummelsThe bulky German Centre Back has time and again proved why he is one of the best in the business. With Puyol leaving and a defensive midfielder occupying the spot, acquiring the services of the Borussia Dortmund Centre Back will be absolutely imperative for the club. And the fact that he is German will make both him and Ter Stegen feel important at the club. Furthermore, Hummels has always showcased excellent football against Real Mardrid. What more does Barca need?
8. Matheus Dória MacedoTwo Centre Backs are essential as effectively only two Center Backs will be there in the team in Pique and Bartra. The 6’2” Centre Back who plays for Botafogo in Brazil will be just the right fit at Barca because he is good with the ball in his feet. He is a passer which will suit the Barca style. Being just nineteen years of age, he can go on to guard the defense for a very long time in the club.
9. Rafinha AlcantaraThe quick footed ever bubbling younger brother of Thiago Alcantara will prove to be a quality long term replacement for Iniesta. He was loaned out to Celta Vigo during the 2013-14 season where he showed signs of absolute brilliance. Being just twenty one, he can provide some quality cover to the ageing Iniesta.
10. Gerard DeulofeuRegarded as one of the best players in his age group, Gerard was loaned out to Everton for the 2013-14 season. He needs to be brought back to provide the much required new dimension to the Barca attack which is showing no signs of creativity at the moment. Gerard’s ability to make defenders chase his shadows combined with exquisite passing makes him appear right on top of the wanted list in Barcelona.
11. Bojan KrkicThe Pacey attacker who was loaned out to several clubs owning to lack of space at the club has impressed in his latest spell with Ajax where he has been working with Frank De Boer and close attention from Johan Cruyff. He is desperate to make a comeback in Camp Nou. Lionel Messi will be 27 next year and Bojan will be a very good substitute for Messi, whose game time is expected to dip next season. Bringing in Bojan will also prevent the usage of Fabregas in the false 9 position.

Special Mentions/Reminders:

1. Josep Fabrice OndoaThe Cameroonian international was inducted into the La Masia from the Samuel Eto’o academy in Cameroon. He is regarded as one of the best goalkeeping prospects in the youth leagues and has been impressing hands down, at various competitions. So the question is, should Barca go a short term prospect or a long term prospect?
2. Denis SuarezDenis was signed by Barca from Manchester City during the 2013-14 season. As per the signing, a clause says that he must be promoted to the first team after spending one year in the B team. If he too gets promoted, Barca must consider loaning out Sergi Roberto.
3. Sergi SamperThe 19 year old B team wonder-kid has been a revelation. Widely regarded as the next Busquets, the diminutive defensive mid-fielder is having a solid season with the B team. Samper is a long term replacement for Sergio Busquets and until he gains some experience, Mascherano can provide cover to Busquets.

If all these changes are made, a good twenty three member squad can be formulated and put to work slowly and steadily. The squad will read:

GOALKEEPERS: Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Jordi Masip

DEFENDERS: Martin Montoya, Patric Gabarron, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra, Mats Hummels, Doria, Jordi Alba, Adriano Correia

MIDFIELDERS: Xavi Hernandez Cesc Fabregas, Sergi Roberto, Andres Iniesta, Rafinha Alcantara, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano

FORWARDS: Alexis Sanchez, Pedro Rodriguez, Gerard Deulofeu, Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic

COACH: Frank De Boer

The sad part is, there is a transfer ban on Barca that FIFA has imposed, for inducting players less than 18 years of age. Only if a proper valid appeal is made will the ban be lifted and all these changes (transfers) can be made possible. If not, it is safe to say that Barca’s form will further worsen in the coming year.