With drawing English Premier League Champion’s of 2011-12,
Manchester City, FC Barcelona have a daunting task ahead of them if they are to
progress any further in Champions League.
But they sit on top of La Liga tied
with Atletico Madrid, both having 50 points and 3 points ahead of fierce rivals
Real Madrid. Looks like title race will go down the wire and to keep fighting
until the end of the season Barcelona need to have a fit and refreshed squad. Although Tata
Martino has been awesome in implementing his rotation policy to keep refilling
the energy tanks of players to press and avoid burnouts which he learnt from
last season but injuries have somewhat hindered that approach. With recurring injury to four times
Ballon D’or winner missing 11 matches with other pillars of the team like
Valdes and Alves having long term injury problems dint help rotation cause.
‘Midfielder’ Cec Fabregas had to fill in for Messi’s false nine role in
most of the matches in which he did not look comfortable. The team sometimes suffered
with Cesc not providing movements, both on and off the ball, which a centre
forward would. Neymar was also tried in the false 9 role in which he was highly successful,
scoring fastest hat trick for Barca against Celtic which helped the team secure
top position in their Champion’s League group. But Tata in press conference
said that he prefers the brasilian star playing on left wing. With Cesc most
likely to start as false 9 even after the break till Messi returns, lack of
centre forward remains an issue.
Barca
needing a centre back isnt a new thing at all. There have been a lot of talks
in the past as to who will be an ideal centre back. But does Barcelona really
need a centre back despite of having four of them with their captain Carles
Puyol returning from injury? Also they have to keep in mind about La Masia and
Barca B players too that cases like Sanabria only remain a rarity. Losing such
gems would be tremendous loss hence every transfer made in winter or next summer will have to be done
looking at both long and short terms needs of the club.
Here are some issues FC Barcelona would need to address come
January transfer window with their tactics as well as transfers to compete in
all three competitions as they reach their business end well as keep their
rotation policy moving forward to give minutes to all players and keep their
starters refreshed and avoid being overworked.
1) Goalkeepers:
With one the pillars of Barcelona’s success Victor Valdes not renewing,
Barca need to find a ‘fitting’ replacement for him. The decision on Pinto's extension is still kept pending.
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| Ter Stegan could join in summer |
Borussia Mönchengladbach keeper Ter Stegan is the name which is most probable
of joining but do they need him in winter window,with Valdes available? Also
former La Masia graduate Pepe Reina is closely linked with Catalan giants now that his Liverpool career looks shoddy .Well; Valdes has recovered from calf
injury and was back for clash against Elche. Getting a keeper will be a
priority but during the summer transfer window because both Valdes and Pinto available
for next half of the season.
2)
Defense
Much has been said about Barca’s weak defense and not good
enough pairing of Gerard Pique and Defensive midfielder converted to centre
back Javier Mascherano. Their most successful captain Carles Puyol does not have
the pace any more to hold quick forwards and he must be scantily used as well
because of his injury prone background. Although their La Masia bred Marc
Bartra has shown immense potential to lead the defensive line but with only 2
specialised centre backs, one cdm playing centre back and one injury prone
centre back, they cannot challenge for Champions league title and to fight for
La Liga is also going to be tough as well. I think Barcelona should shift Mascherano
back to his original position (he played there for some last minutes against
Getafe indicating that) and buy a centre back. That way they would have 4
specialized CBs with Pique and new CB as first choices. Although Bartra’s
performances have indirectly forced Pique to improve a lot this season but still
he should be kept on his toes so that he does not take his place for granted. Tata counts on Bartra too as he recently signed a new 3 year contract on his 23rd Birthday.
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Whoscored.com
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Every club knows that Barca are desperate for
a centre back hence buying a quality centre back is not going to be easy. Luiz is constantly linked by spanish as well as english sources I
would go for Liverpool’s out of favour centre back Daniel Agger!!!
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| Barca tracking both out of favour Centre backs at their respective clubs |
He would come cheap cause he was out of favour for the first half of the season, experienced, isn't cup tied and 29. Yes I purposely highlighted his age because this gives him 4-5 years maximum at Barca and hope for La Masia players like Bagnack, Edgar Le and Gomez to make it into the first team won’t be lost while buying a quality young centre back will mean Barca do not have confidence in these seriously talented young centre backs graduating through their ranks.
3)
Midfielders:
I mentioned shifting Masch back to his favoured defensive
midfield position as Sergio Busquets’ deputy would allow Barca to rest Busquets as well
as have an excellent backup in case of injury to the later. Also a double
pivot, which Tata doesn’t hesitate to use, of Masch as destroyer and Busquets
playing a Deep laying playmaker’s role would fit in well.
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| Mascherano should again play at his favoured defensive midfield position |
Next, Xavi needs to be used wisely by Tata. He isn’t getting younger by any means and soon Barca
will lookout for his successor but for now having Xavi, Cesc, Iniesta,
youngster Sergi Roberto for 2 positions and Busquets-Masch for Defensive
midfield position would be enough until Xavi’s replacement is decided.
As for
Song is concerned, honestly, he dint fit the bill then and he doesn't fit the
bill now. Ideally he should be sold. Another versatile youngster Rafinha on
loan at Celta is doing an excellent job under Enrique and would be excellent
addition next season for the long run.
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| Song has failed to make an impact during his stay at Barca |
4)
Forwards:
With world’s best player Messi missing half of the games
before winter break caused Cesc to take the false 9 role with occasionally
Neymar playing through the middle as well. This affected the team in 2 ways. The rotation
in Midfield was hindered as now Xavi and Iniesta had to start most of the games
with Sergi Roberto not ready to play tough fixtures. Secondly, Cesc is too slow on the ball
and poor with his back in front of goal. Lack of movements by forwards with
Cesc as false 9 was clearly noticed when Barca played a front line of
Pedro-Neymar- Alexis.The attacking fluency increased many folds. Also Cesc’s
profiency as an attacking midfielder would also be missed. So what if (God forbid) Messi again?
Buy a
Centre Forward!!! With the Centre Forward coming in, buses would be easily
unlocked as both Messi and Neymar would get lots of space in tight and
organized defenses to do their business. The famous Milan comeback of last
season proved what a true 9 with Messi and now Neymar too can do.
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| Addition of striker like Klose would help Martino's cause immensely |
I would go
for Miroslav Klose. Purely cause he would come for cheap, is a prolific
goalscorer and having doubts over renewing with Lazio. As he is one of the best
headers of the ball, the prospect of witnessing Alves’, Alba’s, Alexis’ or Neymar’s
crossing having end products more often would be great against stern defenses. Also considering his age he would be a quick fix to tackle current issues as well as keep hopes for talented upcoming starlets like Dongou, Adama Traore, Sandro and Sanabria (if miraculously he decides to stay). While stars like Sergio Aguero and Rooney being linked to Barca. But Messi would still want to enjoy his centre forward position most of the times and playing strikers mentioned above as winger or keeping them on bench wont do justice to there abilities. Buying Klose would prove useful as he doesn't need to play all matches and wont mind bench time. He would be needed as substitute in most of the matches, when Messi is injured or rested. That would help keep him fit at his age and also give him playing time as well.
5)
Clearings:
The fate of Cuenca and Afellay needs to be decided this winter as they continue their struggles with injuries. While Cuenca already getting green light he doesn't seem to be in future plans of Martino. Afellay is still recovering from thigh and hamstring problems after being operated for same. Both Should be loaned this winter depending upon their fitness. Cuenca especially should be loaned to a liga club. Honestly their time at Barca is done as far as current scenario is
concerned.
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| Injuries hampered what could've been a successful career |
Also JDS is out for long term with ACL tear and could leave in summer once he gets fit.
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| Unlucky to be injured at wrong time of his career |
Although I would personally love to keep Cuenca but Tata not playing
him in second leg of Copa del rey match against Cartagena which was almost over
in the first leg itself showed he will be loaned or sold. But with the skillset and
trickery of his, he would've added a complete different dimension to the
attack.
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| Out of favour cause of one after long term another injury |
The Verdict for January Transfer window
In- Agger, Klose and Masch to be shifted back to Cdm
Out- Song, Cuenca (on loan) and Afellay (if he recovers)
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