It has been a busy summer for FC Barcelona’s negotiators. There haven’t been many players arriving. We have, however, found buyers for 3 of the first team players who did not feature in Pep Guardiola’s plans for 2011-12 and are still hunting for suitors for a few others. Also, Rosell’s negotiators have, after a protracted saga convinced Udinese to part with our new number 9, Alexis. It also seems very likely that one of the longest transfer sagas is about to end to bring a much coveted midfielder to Camp Nou.
However, the most talked about weakness of Guardiola’s great team last season was the defense. There were injuries, players were played out of position, and there was a hue-and-cry about how we desperately needed to strengthen the defense come summer.
FC Barcelona held talks with Sporting Gijon over talented left back Jose Angel. However, we missed out on him to AS Roma. Barca also passed on the opportunity to bring Alberto Botia back. The pre-season started and there was no action on a defensive signing apart from the promotion of Fontas, which had already been made official last season. In the entirety of the pre-season (excluding the Copa Catalunya), the team had a goal difference of 0 (scored 8 & conceded 8). We mostly played with a make-shift back 4 with the participants in the Copa America absent and El Capitan Puyol nursing an injury. Many B-teamers got their chance in the pre-season. Sergi Gomez, Ivan Balliu and Jonathan Dos Santos (who played out of position) played impressively whereas Fontas and Oriol Rosell were just about okay. Armando and Muniesa (injured) left something to be desired.
Let us look at the other options we have. Carles Puyol has been the heart of our defense for several years and in my opinion, he still is. This season, however, we cannot expect him to feature in more than 75% of the matches. Eric Abidal was in my opinion, our best centre back last season. Gerard Pique paired with either of these is a great combination. Mascherano put in commendable performances as a replacement for Puyol and I expect him only to get better. Fontas is still learning and I would not like to see him in the field alongside Pique or Mascherano. Busquets has and may in this season be played at centre back again. I would not like to see that unless we have no other go. He is best for the team as a defensive mid and that is where I would like to see him. At the wings, I feel we are well covered with Alves, Abidal, Adriano and Maxwell. Bartra and Montoya have shown promise and can deputise in the Copa games.
Thus we end up having 5 players able to play centre back (Puyol, Pique, Abidal, Mascherano & Fontas) and 4 who can play as wing-backs (Alves, Adriano, Abidal & Maxwell). However, with potentially 60+ games in the 2011-12 season, is that enough? Pep likes players who have versatility but isnt going into the season with only 3 specialized centre backs risky? If Abidal plays CB for most of the season, isnt having only 3 wing backs in the squad a tad dangerous? Are we chasing a player to fit into our well stocked midfield and leaving the defense unfortified? Why arent Pep, Zubizarreta and co. looking for a world-class CB who can play in our system?
Speaking of which, let us look at the players who have been linked with a move to the club. Thiago Silva and David Luiz are both excellent defenders. They seem to have everything a Barca CB should have. However, it is highly unlikely that their clubs will let go of them. Mamadou Sakho of PSG is another name linked with us. The recently rich PSG seem to be squad building and dont seem keen to sell. Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) would do well too. However, Dortmund look set to bid for CL glory and not likely to offload their best defender.
Let us look at the recent purchases we made for the CB position. In 2008-09, we got 2 young, talented prospects – Caceres and Henrique – both seemed to be lacking what Pep wanted from a CB. Then we went out and got Chygrinskiy for an outrageous transfer fee and sold him after a not-so-impressive first season. Is Guardiola wary of committing the same mistake again? As Pep’s system is evolving the team, it is becoming more and more difficult to find players, not only in the defense but in each and every position, who fit the profile Barca desires. Does Pep think the market currently does not hold a player within our buying capacity who can play the tricky role of Barcelona’s centre back?
Should Barcelona go for a world class defender to strengthen the defense or flirt with danger and go into the season with what we have and hope for the best? Cast your vote and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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