Brink of evolution at Barca and the need for Neymar

Evolution is necessary; it is real and it is happening. It is not restricted to animals and humans, but it is the change in policies, behaviors, style and every element that governs our universe. I recently read an article from one of my favorite writers about the evolution of Barcelona’s tiki-taka style of football, ‘beautiful football’ if you will. Tiki-Taka was instilled in the ranks of FC Barcelona when the Dutch legend Johan Cryuff was introduced, way back in 1988. It not only evolved from the then dominating Total football, but encompasses it as well.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 26: FC Barcelona players pose with the trophy during the FC Barcelona celebrations following the club

It revolved around short, quick and accurate passing, huddled with higher possession, opposition slicing through balls and neat finishing. Drawing an analogy – ‘If football is the ape, then Tiki-taka is human’. It is a change, from anarchy to an organized society, from chaos to utopia.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 26: Head coach Josep Guardiola of FC Barcelona waves during the FC Barcelona celebrations following the club

The step from Tiki-taka to the next level initiated with Frank Rijkaard and took a major leap with the introduction of FC Barcelona’s most successful manager – our very own – Pep Guardiola. Guardiola played a crucial role in transforming this side; he was the man who converted ‘a sport into an art.’ Although the team still found success after the positive vibes set by another Barcelona legend Ronaldinho, under Guardiola, the team, the fans and the whole footballing world (probably even God himself) saw precise passing, unbelievable plays, mouthwatering one-two’s and unparalleled finishing.

In the evolution process at Barcelona, their next step would be towards a style of play involving possession, quick passing and undifferentiated team roles. There would be no striker, mid-fielder or defender, just 10 players with inter-changing roles and the essential quality of holding the ball. Defenders, mid-fielders, finishers and strikers will be stripped off their clichés and traditional duties of either “clearing the ball” or “play-making” or “poaching” or “striking”, and will be one single technically-equipped unit. This will be a style of play where every player has the innate ability to keep the ball at any area or position of the football field. Not only will the players have the ability to hold the ball, they will also develop the knack of intricate passing, understanding, intuition, self-less play and neat finishing.

Now, to forbid you from thinking that this is a myth, examples of a few players should do the job; players like Xavi, Iniesta Messi, Pirlo, Fabregas, Modric, to name a few. This is where the saga of Neymar and Barcelona comes in; an addition, but not the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle. The acquisition of Neymar will be another step in the favor of this evolution. Pride, impatience and egoistic behavior on the part of Florentino Perez deterred Neymar Jr. from joining Real Madrid. Where comfort would have helped Perez to seal the deal, he looked down upon Neymar Jr. and Sr. (and here I am paraphrasing), stating that ‘Real Madrid is the best club in the world and YOU should be proud of being offered a deal’. Not only that, but as per this writer’s sources, he did not even guarantee him a spot in the first team. Perez’s pride was a blessing in disguise for Barcelona’s Sandro Rossel, who acted like a true politician and a diplomat and stole the opportunity to recruit Neymar Jr. Neymar’s snide and sly comments on Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho (I refuse to call him ‘the special one’) bear the evidence of the events.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – Neymar of Brazil shoots during the Men

Moving on, if things turn out in favor of Barcelona, Neymar will become an important part of a Terminator-like ruthless footballing machine. It will stop at nothing! Be it Inter-Milan and Chelsea’s “park the bus” phenomenon or Jose Mourinho’s jaw-breaking-muscle-tearing-gameplay (similar to another sport called rugby).

The acquisition of Jordi Alba, the possibility of Neymar and other hopeful acquisitions suitable to this single, impenetrable and powerful unit in the years to come, would complete this process. It is uncertain what will follow that, but this stage seems to be the most evident from recent events – with the arrival of Fabregas, Sanchez, Jordi Alba, promotion of Busquets and Thiago, pursuit of Neymar and the taste for only a certain brand of managers of the likes of Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and now Tito Vilanova.

Although they will never be perfect, the pursuit of perfection will bring about the best in this side. This evolution will turn Barca from ‘difficult’ to ‘Invincibles’.