What next for Barcelona?

As pep says goodbye, all seems doom and gloom for the Blaugranes – an untested and little-known manager with an unbalanced outfit. But, Barca has been in these situations before only to rise like a phoenix from the ashes. After 2008 semifinal loss to Manchester United, similar questions were raised. Frank Rijkaard was ousted from the club. The big name players like Ronaldinho and Deco of team that won 2006 CL crown were offloaded. Then, the very next season they went on to claim CL crown beating defending champions 2-0.

It’s just a question of redoing what has already been done. To be honest, the task at hand is much easier than the last one.

Groom Thiago

There is no question about it. It’s fag end of the season and Xavi is physically struggling. His performances in both legs were short of his usual self. The physical demands of season-long football have left him high and dry. Manager has to be cautious with him for the next season.

This moment beckons the inclusion of prodigious talent, Thiago. He is a still a reckless player which was evident in his red card against Mallorca. But, next season is the ideal time to groom the ‘Next Xavi’. He should start the matches on a regular basis.

Fabregas- The missing piece!

Fabregas’s first season at Camp Nou, though not extra ordinary was satisfactory. He was the missing piece in Barca’s puzzle. Though it worked in the team’s favor, his abilities were grossly underutilized especially his playmaking abilities. With Thiago set to take over the vacuum created by Xavi, Barca should deploy Fabregas in a well defined role; a role that demands the best out of Fabregas. Yes, it’s a challenge. But that is Tito’s first homework for this summer.

A striker please!

Messi shoots from the spot kick, ball ricochets off the crossbar, Chelsea players come in numbers and clear the ball while no Barcelona player makes a run to score on the rebound. For that matter, Barcelona players don’t even move a muscle and stand there ball watching.

Why didn’t the most technically gifted Barcelona players follow the most fundamental lesson in a spot kick? That has been Barcelona’s story this entire season. Barca’s over reliance on Messi to score goals.

Yes, it has become a cliché for the whole footballing world. But there is truth in it. Messi has accounted for more than 60% of Barcelona’s Goals this season. Even the so called one-man-army Arsenal does better in that respect with Van Persie scoring 40% of the goals. We can’t rely on Messi win us matches all the time. He is human too.

Though Villa would be back for next season, there are doubts r=about his performance and fitness (And also whether he will be at Camp Nou). So, finding a target man should be one of the priorities in the summer.

What about the secret meeting that Robin had with a few of the Barcelona players?

Offload Alves

Dani Alves has somewhat turned out into a eyesore in the crucial final stages of Barcelona’s campaign this season. His beautiful one-twos with Messi have all but disappeared and his crosses find everything other than Barca players.

This is the perfect time for Barca to cash in on this past-his-prime winger. Even the player himself is interested in a move to greener pastures to make up for his struggles in a divorce case. Transfer markets value the player anywhere at about 35 million euros, which will come in handy for our other strategic investments.

In addition, this move would lay an ideal platform for Barca to bring on Montoya. He has been impressive in his cameo role this season. Given his better defensive skills, the team can look forward to his role in building a stable defensive unit.

The weak link

The left wing has been Barca’s weak link for over a year now. To overcome that weakness, Barca has been linked with a move for Gareth Bale/Jordi Alba. Barcelona would ideally bring in a player in late twenties who is at the peak of his game. These players cost peanuts compared to other established stalwarts and provide perfect performances for two/three-year periods before youngsters can take over.

Marc Muniesa has been promoted to first team next season. That’s a move in the right direction. During those three years of tutelage under another left back, Muniesa can be developed into competent world class full back.

Other fans would love to add a centre back to Barca’s plans this summer namely Thiago Silva. Puyol, though on wrong side of 30, hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down and Mascherano has put in some convincing performances as a centre back. In addition, they have an option to recall Alberto Botia, currently honing his skills at Sporting Gijon, through a buy back clause. So, Silva plan can stay on the sidelines for now.