Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona wants to sign five players this summer: a left back defender, a central defender, a defensive midfielder, a left winger and a centre forward.They give an overview of how the "ideal" squad could look like next season.
Left back defender: Abidal
Back-up: *new guy*
Because the contract of Sylvinho expires, the transfer of a left back is a priority for the club. Filipe (Deportivo) and Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow) are the two options. Filipe has more chances to join Barcelona because the asking price for Zhirkov is higher and the Russian seems to be on his way to Chelsea.
Defensive midfielder: Touré
Back-up: Busquets, *new guy*
Because Touré will be away for one month because of the Africa Cup, Guardiola wants to sign another defensive midfielder. Mascherano (Liverpool) is the first name on the list and although the player wants to come, Barcelona will have to seriously raise their bid. De Rossi (Roma) is the alternative and could be convinced to leave his club.
Attacking midfielders: Xavi and Iniesta
Back-up: Hleb, Víctor Sánchez, Gudjohnsen, Keita
Barcelona is trying to sell Hleb and Gudjohnsen but if this won't be possible, they'll have their chances next season. Víctor Sánchez could leave on loan. If Ribéry isn't signed, Barcelona could try again for Silva (Valencia), who could then play both on the left wing as in midfield.
Read more:
Deportivo asking too much for left back Filipe
The report of Txiki (2) : Mascherano priority
Silva is second choice for left wing
Ekar Said,
Keita can play as DM and Sanchez is a defender....
Posted on 24 June 2009 at 04:49
inieeeeeeeeeesta Said,
not the most interesting notes indeed
all this we already know...
Posted on 24 June 2009 at 05:10
James Said,
I think it's pretty clear after last season Keita is not a DM. Sanchez plays both defense and midfield.
Posted on 24 June 2009 at 06:06
fcbee Said,
Sanchez is actually a midfield running guy, but he can also play in defense (where Guardiola used him most this season).
I think Guardiola sees keita more as a different option (instead of Iniesta) in midfield: more power, more penetration.
Posted on 24 June 2009 at 06:11
SJP Said,
think keita could prove really important this year, dont like the DM options, mash too expensive and de rossi is not good enough. not sure who we could get but there must be some cheap DM out there good enough to act as cover for yaya and busquets? melo would be good option if still available.
on a side note anybody know how good alexis sanchez of udinese is? great in FM and can play play both wing and ST never seen him play in real life though.
Posted on 24 June 2009 at 06:42
Gilman Said,
I really don't understand how we need a DM, so long as Marquez is healthy by the time ANC rolls along he provides backup there.
In Yaya we have one of the best DMs in the world. In Busquets we have a young talent with great upside who is already playing well for Barca and La Furia Roja (spanish national team). So that gives us two great players sharing one position, and you want to add another expensive player there??? Especially when Marquez has played that position before, so we have cover during ANC or in case of injury.
I really think midfield is not our problem depthwise, we have two great subs for the midfield (Busquets and Keita) and a couple other passable ones (Gudj and Hleb) plus youth players.
If Milito and/or Marquez recover and Henrique joins us back from being loaned out than D is not really a big depth issue either, given that Puyol can play all positions, Henrique can back Alves, Caceres (if not loaned out) can back Abidal, Puyol, Piques, Milito, Marquez, Caceres and Henrique all play middle D.
I think where we need depth is up front. One great left winger so Henry can back up LW and Center Forward.
Posted on 24 June 2009 at 10:34