What exactly will Barcelona’s first-choice XI look like when La Liga begins in six weeks’ time?
It’s a question no-one knows the answer to, not least manager Xavi Hernandez who is said to be worried about the club’s financial situation as it would appear the only way Barca can break back into the big time is by juggling the financial balls.
What appears certain is that their ability to compete in the forthcoming season will likely depend on the growth of younger stars with one or two adornments.
From low points to highs, it is seemingly all about trusting the process for Xavi’s Barca.
He gave Ronald Araujo, Gavi, and Pedri more playing time earlier than expected to hasten their development, while he has restored confidence of the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Martin Braithwaite, and Gerard Pique.
It also helped that money was spent in January to bring in reinforcements from young and old in Dani Alves, Adama Traore, Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
What now though?
Let’s focus on Dembele. After five years, a €140-M transfer fee and 149 matches, he is no longer a Barcelona player.
The Frenchman was actually a record signing when he moved to Catalonia from Borussia Dortmund. But overall, his spell has been plagued by injuries and a failure to find a rhythm in the team.
Only during his final months at the club with Xavi did he have both his fitness and the trust of the manager.
I say final because, while his contract has run out, it’s not certain he will depart.
Xavi has made it public just how much he wants Dembele to stay, which the Frenchman values.
One suspects both player and manager, let alone fans, are somewhat tired of the soap opera that has grown around his future – the club and the player began talks last year and disagreements have been constant.
With pre-season training starting shortly, Dembele is said to want his future resolved soon. And although had money not been a factor, one suspects he’d have long signed on.
One man who definitely won’t be returning is Traore who is back at parent club Wolves after a mixed loan spell.
Veteran Alves’ contract has expired too and Barcelona have decided not to renew his deal. Likewise, Ferran Jutgla and Philippe Coutinho have left, along with the players whose contracts and loans were up: Traore and Luuk de Jong.
All in all then, following a tricky end to the last campaign, it remains to be seen how and if Barcelona can push ahead in the transfer market despite Xavi requesting a significant overhaul of the squad to increase competition and with the desire to compete for trophies.
Of course, the coach is aware of the club’s challenging circumstances, but he is anxiously awaiting word from Joan Laporta and the executives. Neither have the reinforcements he expected arrived, nor have the agreed departures taken place.
Returning to the club are Miralem Pjanic, Inaki Pena, Alex Collado, and Francisco Trincao, who were on loan.
However, players such as Clement Lenglet, Riqui Puig, Samuel Umtiti, Martin Braithwaite, and Oscar Mingueza, players who were expected to leave, still remain at the Nou Camp.
As it stands, the SBOTOP La Liga 2022 betting odds may make Barcelona as second favourites in next season’s title race but does anyone really think they can sustain a long-term challenge with the current squad?
One man who could help them create La Liga 2022 highlights is Leeds United winger Raphinha, though it seems Barcelona are hanging onto hope of signing the Brazilian by their fingernails.
Chelsea have already agreed a deal with Leeds United with the fee thought to be in the region of €65-M– a figure that all parties are aware that Barcelona cannot meet.
The Catalan club have managed to keep themselves in the fight though with Raphinha reportedly delaying any decision, while his agent Deco – a former Barca player of course – pushes the Yorkshire club hard to accept an offer from his former employers.
Perhaps some good news is just around the corner with the signings of both Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen due to be announced after completing all the required paperwork.
Both players are free agents following the expiry of their contracts with Milan and Chelsea respectively and will bring experience and much-needed energy, strengthening the centre of defence and midfield. It can surely just be the start though for a side which finished 13 points behind Real Madrid last season.
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