Next few months are going to be very interesting or rather
(silly) for Barcelona fans like me. Winter transfer window will start in
January and that’s when Barcelona’s transfer ban of 2 windows by FIFA ends.
Catalan dailies will have field days linking Barcelona with all sorts of
players. By all sorts I mean players like Jesus Navas, Dirk Kuyt. If you don’t believe
me, just have a glance through Catalonia’s two leading papers for past few days
who have linked Barca with all sorts of unimaginable players.
It’s crystal clear that Luis Enrique, the FCB coach prefers
Nolito from Celta Vigo to be a super sub to front line of famous MSN. But
Nolito is already in talks with Celta to renew his contract which would bump up
his buy-out clause from the current 18m euros to 25m euros. The board has its
doubts that the price is too high for a player that old. Hence they are looking
for the new age “Larrson” who wouldn’t cost much and would be influential off
the bench. Well the board had all the idea that Pedro was going to leave in
summer and had the whole summer to sign Nolito for cheap. Well just leave that then.
Another problem that haunts FCB now is that players wage
bills have sky rocketed after the treble win. The most logical solution to this
problem would be to sell the mediocre players of 1st team and
promoting La Masia graduates. Yeah you heard that right. Barcelona who just had
the treble winning season has few mediocre players. Jeremy Matthieu, Adriano
and Douglas with all due respect to them are not Barcelona quality at all.
I have huge respect for Jeremy Matthieu who paid 2m euros
from his pocket to join Barcelona. He had a crucial role in league win last
season with crucial goals against Real Madrid and Celta Vigo. If he doesn’t score
those goals, Madrid wins the league. As
simple as that. But his performances have dropped dramatically this season
with him being responsible for goals against Sevilla.
Adriano is in first team due to Lucho’s insistence. He was
on his way to Roma when Lucho asked him to stay because of transfer ban. He is
already past his peak.
Well Douglas is Douglas. Enough said.
You can make a case to sell Dani Alves as well as he has
been pretty poor since the start of season. But the good thing about him is
suddenly he unleashes Dani Alves of 2009 as he did towards last part of previous season.And his telepathic connection with Messi
on right flank will act as his saviour as well.
And best way to lower
that wages. Promote those La Masia graduates. What actually are the biggest
weak spots in this team? Come to think of it. We need a backup for Alba at LB, a
midfielder who can dictate the tempo of the game alas Xavi and substitute forward
for MSN. Well La Masia has two out of those three positions currently. Not just
normal players but real world class talents. Sergi Samper has always been touted as the
heir apparent to Sergio Busquets. Alejandro Grimaldo, a real versatile player
who can play at both LB and DM. In short he is David Alaba of La Masia. And
they are currently playing in third division. It doesn’t do any justice to
their talents to play them there. I am not saying that they will join first
team and eventually will be world class players. But at least try them out to
judge them.
Well that is how we can fix our financial mess. Plus there’s
that impending, unavoidable 70m euros per year deal with Qatar Airways. That
will also take care of those wages. I will take a look at players Barca should
try to sign in January transfer window in my next post .Till then goodbye.
