Hassan Chamas

 

As Real Madrid swooped for their 31st La Liga title back in May 2008 – after having spent nearly €188M – Barcelona learned from their mistakes, and splashed the money themselves – €88M – to climb back to the levels of 2006 when they were last top of the tree. With the return of Gerard Pique and the acquisition of players such as Daniel Alves and Seydou Keita, Barca went for the treble. Early on it could not have been predicted with their pre-season shenanigans, that after their campaign was over, they would be standing as the team to beat not just in Europe, but the whole world too.

Barcelona 2009 eclipsed in every way Barcelona 2006. Stronger, more defensively competent, computer-minded in midfield, stallions in attack, no team stepped on the same plateau as they. But their work should not halt here, as pundits and followers alike all know that if a team ends up stagnating, they might in reality be going backwards: Just look at Real Madrid, who labeled their squad “perfect” last summer, splashing as little as €13M on a man, in Rafael van der Vaart, not even needed. As a consequence, the Merengue had a disaster of a season, and it remains to be seen as to whether Florentino Perez’s big spending will prove to be the deciding factor in Madrid’s resurgence – if it happens. So how do Barca shape up as of this moment?

Goalkeepers:

Victor Valdes: Like him or hate him – he is the least-liked member of the squad – Valdes is the Cules Number 1 for many years to come. While he has always been prone to the eventual gaffe, it’s hard to see the Barca board dispensing with their youth product. Maybe it’s a Catalan thing, who knows? But after his most successful season to date, clinching his second Zamora trophy, there is no appetite to replace him.

Jose Manuel Pinto and Albert Jorquera: The reasons these two names are attached is because their fate is nearly identical. The backup keepers rarely see action, and at 30 and 32 respectively, the only reason they’re still around is in the event of an injury to Valdes, or sudden drop in form. One of the duo could have gone in the event of Sergio Asenjo’s arrival in Catalunya, but the latter opted for Atletico Madrid, and therefore, things stand as they are.

Defenders:

Martin Caceres: Was bought in as nothing more than a squad player, and he was exactly that throughout the whole campaign. A promising signing, but one that could perhaps be loaned out to gain further experience.

Gerard Pique: Pique was bought back by his club following spells at Real Zaragoza and Manchester United, and it has been a stellar season for the defender. Largely filling in for the absentee Milito, to a point that Guardiola might decide to cement his spot next to Carles Puyol. His strong competitive nature makes him every goalkeeper’s dream. No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson laments his loss.

Rafael Marquez: Can be one of the toughest out there, but his fitness problems pose a real threat. At 30, the Mexico captain is not the same anymore, and he could be allowed to leave should the right offer be forthcoming. After all, there still is Pique.

Carles Puyol: Should there be even any need to mention his name? Had a splendid season that mopped up the disappointing events of yesteryear. One of the best defenders in Europe this season next to Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic.

Gabriel Milito: While his fitness problems remain far more alarming than those of Marquez, Gaby Milito remains nonetheless one of La Liga’s most renowned defensive vultures. Luck has deserted him this season as he was confined to watching his teammates win the treble on TV, but confidence is high that the former Zaragoza skipper will be back as good as new.

Daniel Alves: The Brazilian had his best season to date by clinching the treble with Barca, and the Confederations Cup with the Selecao. Alves was the star of the show from August until May, and cemented his place as one of the best right-backs with trademark crosses and cannonball shots. Despite his defensive frailties, he remains Barcelona’s best buy of the summer.

Eric Abidal: Ever since Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s departure two years ago, Barca have been struggling to find a decent left-back. At 35, the now-departed Sylvinho wouldn’t do, and Abidal sure hasn’t done anything yet to justify the Blaugrana’s confidence in his abilities. He remains the weakest link out of the outfield players, and his departure in favour of a new face is not out of the question.

Maxwell: The Brazilian, newly arrived from Inter, could be the next Sylvinho, but most Barca fans will hope he is actually better. Comfortable in possession, as should be the Camp Nou way, and capable of decent defending, Maxwell has often been a little unlucky with injuries and Guardiola will hope he leaves that in Italy.

Victor Sanchez: One of the very few rarely utilised players by Guardiola this term. Sanchez showed glimpses of potential, but is far, far away from an integrated factor in the squad. In the presence of the current array of footballers it is perhaps wise if he is sent on loan for the 2009/10 campaign.

Henrique: Henrique was acquired last summer from Palmeiras, but was quickly shipped to German outfit Bayer Leverkusen. Now, after gathering valuable experience points, he is ready to be handed a Barcelona shirt.

Midfielders:

Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta: As for Puyol, the same applies to Los Cules’ dynamic duo. Both Iniesta and Xavi – the latter in particular – have been in imperious form, with their most obvious display being the Champions League final against Manchester United. The true focal point of the team.

Seydou Keita: The Malian international had a good season with Barcelona after his €14M move from Sevilla last summer, but was at often times dislodged for the impressive Yaya Toure and the ascending Sergio Busquets. He is by no means a flop, but put him next to Barca target Javier Mascherano and say who the better player is.

Eidur Gudjohnsen: The Iceland skipper was signed to strengthen the front-line following Henrik Larsson’s departure three years ago, and has since been alternated between midfield and attack. His role at the club is uncertain. An England return would be the good choice for him.

Sergio Busquets: Aside from Gerard Pique, young “Sergi” has been Barca’s revelation of the season. Tall and combative, the player holds an important role just in front of the back-line, something that drew comparisons between him and current coach Josep Guardiola. Another one of Barcelona’s successful youth scheme.

Forwards:

Samuel Eto’o: It appears as if, after a summer of transfer sagas, Eto’o will be off to Inter with a certain Ibrahimovic coming the other way. With a contract that ends next summer it is perhaps no surprise that the Camp Nou side have made efforts to offload him. Whether the ex-Mallorca man will take the plane to Italy should become clear in the next week as he doesn’t always do as he is told.

Bojan Krkic: With such raw talent, it’s no wonder Bojan was on course to become the youngest player to represent Spain at senior level during Euro 2008, only to pull out at the last minute for personal reasons. Yet, Bojan is an already fan-favourite at Barca, and a player destined for greatness in the coming years. The media have been talking about the club wanting to loan him, but in all fairness, he should remain under Guardiola’s tutorship.

Lionel Messi: The Camp Nou world will continue to revolve around Messi. Perhaps the biggest challenge for the young Argentine will be maintaining the level he showed last season, but not many expect him to fall short of it.

Thierry Henry: Eyebrows were raised when “Titi” joined in 2007 to create the Fantastic Four with Eto’o, Messi and the now gone Ronaldinho. In his first season, Henry failed to produce the spark that made him once the best striker in the world. With Ronnie gone to Italy, he managed to finally adapt well to his left-wing role, and was shown in the 6-2 massacre of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, as he made Sergio Ramos look foolish. An adequate substitute for Ronaldinho so far.

Aliaksandr Hleb: A signing that was completely fruitless. Supposedly called upon to fill Ronaldinho’s shoes on the left flank, Hleb enjoyed a disastrous first season at the Camp Nou, managing only 19 appearances in the league. Much like Rafael van der Vaart at Real Madrid – who at times, was brilliant – the ex-Arsenal man’s spell in Spain quickly transformed into a disaster. Now set for a season long loan to Inter as part of the Ibrahimovic/Eto’o deal.

Pedro: Another youth product, Pedro Rodriguez had a below-par first team spell under Guardiola, something that was completely justified in the midst of the Three Musketeers’ brilliance. Perhaps luck will smile at him next term, who knows? Definitely a promising prospect.

Keirisson: A player whose arrival will be regarded as a coup, considering the fact that Palmeiras let him leave for a mere €15M. Keirisson is regarded in Brazil as the next Alexandre Pato, some even say that he possesses skill that surpasses that of the Milan striker. However, with the current array of forwards, perhaps it is best if he is sent on a season loan.

Potential arrivals

Javier Mascherano: Not that Barca lack talent in the defensive midfield area, but the potential arrival of the Argentina captain is nonetheless a welcome one. However, Liverpool do not appear intent on selling, especially in the light of Xabi Alonso’s lingering move to Real Madrid. If Barca manage to get him so be it. But it is doubtful they will pay over the odds.

David Villa: The drama twist of the summer. After the Valencia directors decided to scrap a last minute transfer to Real Madrid, it became pretty clear that the Asturian was going to stay for another season, at least. It would certainly be a massive blow for Florentino Perez if his rivals manage to get Villa, but in all fairness, Barca have enough firepower as it is.

Cesc Fabregas: It has been going on for a while with the Arsenal skipper: When will he come back home? One thing for certain is that Fabregas is a Barcelona youth-product, and a return to the club he was raised at doesn’t seem very farfetched. But, just as much as he is Catalan, so is the potential of him being the next Luis Figo, as “Fab” has never hidden his desire to wear the white shirt. The Blaugrana better move fast to deploy him next to Xavi and Iniesta. After all, the mere thought of such a threesome is just mouth-savouring.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The Inter forward was thought too expensive by most of Europe, but throw in Samuel Eto’o, and Aliaksandr Hleb (on loan) plus around €40M and a deal can be done. Whether the Swede is what Barca need is open to debate, and he certainly better shake off his record of never having scored in the last 16 of the Champions League when he pulls on the blue and red. If he arrives in the next week then this move could make or break him.

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