Barcelona: Neymar, Vilanova and a hectic summer

EL Loco – The visionary and footballing guru

This was the time when Bielsa implemented his ideals and explained his vision to the world with the help of his Newell’s team which surged under him. The intense defensive pressing with a high line, ball retention, quick passing were some of the ideals that helped Athletic Bilbao humble United.

After hanging up his shoes, Martino started his managerial career in 1998. After he managed a couple of teams in the Paraguayan league, even leading them to league triumphs, he surfaced to the limelight when he led Paraguay to the quarter-finals in the 2010 World Cup, only to be narrowly beaten by Spain 1-0. Paraguay had a goal denied and a penalty saved by Casillas in that match, so we can see that it really was a narrow win for Spain.

As was evident from that Paraguayan campaign, Martino is more of a flexible coach who can grind wins, such as with the 2010 Paraguay side, as well as play stylish football, such as his more recent Newell’s side, which has just won the league title.

He is more pragmatic than romantic, which is where he differs from Bielsa. So one can expect him to tighten the Barca defense, which does need tightening, but he is by no means a negative coach. He favors a 4-3-3 formation, with attacking full-backs playing the role of wing-backs, which is the way Barcelona plays. Perhaps that is why Barcelona went for him.

In these modern times, when the big clubs prefer big-money signings, whether it be players or coaches, Barcelona have stuck with their policy of going for ideology over impressive resumes, right from Frank Rijkaard to Pep Guardiola to Tito Vilanova, and finally to Gerardo Martino.

Rumours are that the final shortlist came down to Martino and Luis Enrique, and that Messi tipped the scales towards Martino.

Messi playing a hand in Tata’s appointment?

While Martino himself admitted this – “I don’t know the details of this situation, [but] I have no doubts that Messi spoke with the club directors. I am sure that Jorge (Messi’s father) and Leo have had some weight in this decision”, Messi has denied any involvement saying, “I have nothing to do with Martino’s signing.”

Whether or not he was involved, this signing surely made Messi happy, and Martino surely has big shoes to fill to match up to his predecessors.

That central defender

The resignation of Vilanova and the subsequent appointment of Martino has only slowed down this quest. Thiago Silva seems a distant dream now, Marquinhos has been snapped up by PSG, and these were the top two names in the short-list for defenders. David Luiz doesn’t seem close to a move either. So where does that leave Barca?

Vergini headed for Catalonia?

Word is that Martino is trying to bring in one of his former players, Santiago Vergini, a center-back at Newell’s. He seems like a good fit for the position, having good physique that matches a center-back at six feet plus. He is 24 years old and his recent performances have earned him a berth in the Argentine national squad. And best of all, he is available on a free transfer, his contract having expired at the end of last season.

Paulorosso, an assistant of Martino, said, “Tata lives for football 24/7. If you ask him about a player in the African fourth division, he knows about him.” So let’s hope that he can pluck one or two good players from there as well.

Tidying up

Villa, Thiago, Abidal and Fontas have been sold. Deulofeu, Rafinha, Bojan have been sent away on loan spells. That leaves Barca with Issac Cuenca and Ibrahim Afellay as players who might not find decent playing time at the Camp Nou.

Cuenca is a bright prospect for the future, after showing amazing composure and ability on the ball in his debut season with the first team. Unfortunately, his development has been hindered with injuries during his loan spell at Ajax. So it might be best to send him on another loan spell.

On the other hand, Afellay is 27 years old, and hasn’t had many memorable moments at Barcelona. 27 years is about the time when a player starts to peak, and he surely wouldn’t be satisfied with warming the bench. The club will be looking to complete his sale and wrap up the transfer window and set sail for the 2013-2014 season with their new manager.