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.