Summer Transfer Window 2013: FC Barcelona

It is easy to look back, and on the basis of their complete failure in the UEFA Champions League, dismiss completely the season that FC Barcelona have enjoyed, as a mediocre one. In reality, that is far from the case. A common mistake made, is to draw parallels between the domestic league (La Liga, in Barcelona’s case) and the continental competition (the Champions League). While on many occasions, good league form translates to good Cup form (a la Bayern Munich this season), there are times when that relation fails to stand (Barcelona this season, and Chelsea of last season). Barcelona have enjoyed an absolutely phenomenal Liga season under Tito Vilanova, and finished it off by matching Real Madrid’s 100 points record. The highest they went under Pep Guardiola was 99 points, in his second season. However, the reason domestic success in Spain is underrated is because, the Spanish league is weaker than either their German or English counterparts. And this year, their perennial competitors Real Madrid enjoyed a faltering campaign, and Barcelona were faced with little to no opposition by Atletico Madrid. And the Champions League represented the club floundering big time on the big stage, for a plethora of reasons. Moreover, this season brought to light the weaknesses in a team that was till a season back seen as infallible, and for once exposed the need to dip into the transfer market and spend prudently.

Barcelona’s two transfers of the summer were left-back Jordi Alba, from Valencia, and midfielder Alex Song, from Arsenal. The former looks to have cemented his position for the ostensible future, while the latter would love to exorcise the season he just endured. Alba was an overwhelming success for Spain at Euro 2012, and Barca were quick to snap him up, as the long-term successor to Eric Abidal. Song was signed as a replacement for the recently departed Seydou Keita, but he just couldn’t fill the Malian’s boots. Keita had left behind an image of being the industrious element in a stylish side, while also being able to play in a variety of positions in midfield. Song, while not a lesser player, did not quite fit the Barcelona style as many initially suspected. With Sergio Busquets ever-present in the starting line-up, chances would be at a premium, as they indeed were, and Song was simply unable to cope playing alongside him. One of the main weapons in his arsenal (pun-intended) is the ability to cross balls into the penalty box, or out to the wide players, a technique alien to this Barcelona side. Expect Song to leave for greener pastures, where his play would be better suited. But, replacing Song won’t be a priority for Barcelona in the current transfer window.

Recruiting a few centre-backs to add to Gerard Pique, and, well, no one else really, is top priority at the club. Humour aside, Carles Puyol, as harsh as it may seem, is beyond his regular days and is fit only for a few cup games, and the occasional League and European run-about. Though the technique is still there, his pace has long deserted him, a disability which often proves fatal at a high-pressing club like Barcelona. And his advanced age means he is now no longer able to stand up the rigours of regular weeks of football. What the club need to realise, and should have, while under Guardiola, is that Puyol’s replacement cannot be Javier Mascherano. While an extremely talented defesnive player, his short stature means he is non-existent during set-pieces, and he is often out-muscled by the stronger forwards. He is still essentially a holding midfielder, and while he has adapted admirably at centre-back, he still falls short of the qualities a proper centre-half should possess.

To make matters worse for the club, Gerard Pique, the one proper centre-back in the club, has been off form for around a season and a half. While he was never quite an Alessandro Nesta, he was never quite this reminiscent of Sebastian Squillaci. His performances in the League, and mostly in Europe have been appalling. While he still has the ability to march forward with the ball from the back, his defensive abilities need solid work. In both legs against PSG and Bayern Munich, Pique was guilty of making glaring errors. It is said that compeition for places keeps footballers on their toes, so the converse must also be true. With no proper subsitute within the squad, Pique may have slackened off a bit too much. The management have finally recognised this loophole, and have made the signing of two top quality centre-backs their priority. Thiago Silva (PSG), Vincent Kompany (Man City), David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic (both of Chelsea) have been mooted as options, and any of them would be a world class addition to the side. Marquinhos (Roma), Adil Rami (Valencia), and Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke) will be looked at, in the event none of the first choice targets are available.

The deficiencies among the squad don’t end there though. Victor Valdes has confirmed he will leave Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of his contract in 2014. While it remains to be seen whether the club decide to purchase a replacement right away, or wait till next season, a new goalkeeper should be brought in irrespective of Valdes’ future. Neither him nor Jose Pinto are very reliable, and have been guilty of several high-profile errors. This club can surely do much, much better than Victor Valdes. The first option Barcelona will look at is Liverpool‘s Pepe Reina, and it is rumoured that he is in favour of such a move, though nothing concrete has yet emerged. Michel Vorm (Swansea) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Borussia Monchengladbach) are the other possibilities. Admittedly, all of the above would be an improvement on Valdes (as you can see, I’ve held him responsible for most of the clubs failings, during his time in goal).

The other most important problem at the club, would be to solve the now well-advertised messidependencia, or, an over-dependence on Lionel Messi. Given that he is one of greatest players in history, it is understandable to have him as the teams focal point. The problem arises when he is the only player who can be turned to for an end-product. Neither Alexis Sanchez, David Villa, nor Pedro can step up in his absence, which was felt so dearly in the Champions League. He was forced to play through an injury in the 2nd leg, so dire was the situation. Even when fully fit, clubs have looked at the age-old technique of stopping the virtuoso of the team – by crowding his playing space out. Most fail, but some – like Bayern, and to an extent PSG – succeed. And the latter is of greater concern as the same worrying phenomenon has been visible against Real Madrid in recent games, and Chelsea, last season. The club have acted remarlably swiftly and ably to bring in the prodigal Brazilian, Neymar. Opinion has swayed upon his arrival – some have doomed him to failure, or disappointment like Zlatan Ibrahimovic was, or Sanchez is, to a great extent, while others have hailed him as the next-big-thing for the club. While his impact will depend greatly on how he adapts himself to Barcelona’s tiki-taka, and also not being the focus of the team, it is undeniable that Neymar has great calibre, and is create moments of magic out of nothing. His dynamism and speed on the left wing will also provide the club with width, a dimension they have greatly missed. Jordi Alba too can revel in his presence, and the two can form a devastating partnership on the flanks. With that, Andres Iniesta can now revert to a more central midfield position, with him being shipped to the left flank often over the past two seasons. Expect Messi to be given a few well-deserved breaks against lesser teams now.

David Villa is surely on his way out of the club now, and the Premier League is his preferred destination, with both London clubs, Arsenal and Tottenham vying for his signature. It is a pity to have such a wonderful forward leave the club, but he seemed to fade remarkably halfway through his first season, and though he did show flashes of his previous brilliance this season, he needs a steady run of games, in his preferred centre-forward position to be able to shine brightly again. Something, which will not happen while he’s at Barcelona. Cesc Fabregas and Sanchez too are supposedly on the radar of other clubs, but their potentiality would dictate the club hang on to them for the future. Cristian Tello and Isaac Cuenca are expected to be sent off on loan to gain more playing experience, as is the wonderkind Gerard Deulofeu. Expect big things of him in the future for the Catalans. As of now though, a loan to Borussia Dortmund has been spoken of.

The 2013/14 season will be one of great upheaval in the La Liga, with Real Madrid firing Jose Mourinho, Barcelona signing Neymar, and Falcao leaving Atletico Madrid. If Barcelona want to remain at the summit of the League, and climb back to the top of the European ladder, then this transfer window must be made full use of. Toppling Bayern Munich, who will be refurbished with Mario Gotze and more, and under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, will be no easy task, and Tito Vilanova has his job cut out. Also, will his health permit him to continue in regular incumbency? Or will it force him to sit out for an extended period again? If so, will the club risk continuing with him at the helm? Pertinent that only the coming months can answer. Stay tuned for more.