Finally Barcelona have sealed one of their top summer transfer targets: Alexis Sanchez. The young Chilean signed for 23 million which could rise to 33 depending on clauses. He is a very versatile player, and can play in all three attacking positions. However, it will be a daunting task for him to break into one of the most deadly attacking units in the history of the game.
Sanchez is a big signing for Barcelona, but a huge risk. He did not come cheaply, and he doesn’t have years of experience in La Liga or another top European League. There is no guarantee that he will fit into their style or be a success, so it is a massive risk for them to take, and it isn’t the first time they have done that over the last few years, and it has not always come off in their favour.
Where exactly will Sanchez fit at Barca? Well, he is highly unlikely to displace Messi, however, should Messi suffer an injury, he could provide back-up, but will he be content to sit on the bench? Clearly he will have to adapt to Spanish football so won’t go straight into Barcelona’s starting line up, but could he eventually dislodge David Villa or Pedro? Again it would seen crazy to disrupt a winning formation; Pedro and Villa have 98 goals between them in 62 games in the last 10 months, and Pedro has been absolutely fundamental to Barcelona. The competition for places though may inspire the team to even greater heights.
Sanchez is very young and is likely to be a signing for the long term, in the short term it seems as if it is versatility that he has been signed for, he can provide an option or a plan B should Barcelona need one. What does the signing mean for some of their youngsters though? Bojan, never quite made the breakthrough, though he was hardly given a chance with the quality ahead of him. He has just moved on to Roma in a convoluted deal, which means Barca can buy him back for almost the same price in two years time. Ibrahim Afellay is another bright young player who could be forced out by Barcelona’s transfer policy, as he finds himself even further down the pecking order.
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Having acquired Sanchez, Barcelona are now likely to step up their pursuit of Fabregas, yet again a player with undoubted talent and style but for the amount of money they will need to pay, it is difficult to see where he fits in. He isn’t going to dislodge Iniesta or Xavi, so would he serve as another bench warmer? Again he would be excellent cover should one of the two get injured, but why would a player like Fabregas be content to sit on the bench? Is there a complete lack of ambition amongst modern players? I can see that they want to play for the best team in the world, and win trophies, but if you aren’t going to play, then is there any sense in you being there? Over the last few years we have seen the same with players like Hleb, Henry and Gudjohnsen. Barcelona continually seem to buy players that they simply don’t need.
This is not to say that all their signings are bad, look at the signing of Pique, that was a great signing, he wasn’t hugely expensive, and he has proved very successful. Dani Alves and Keita are another two good signings, but for every one of those there has been an Ibrahimovic, Hleb or Chygrynskiy: expensive flops who are no longer at the club, having been loaned out cheaply or sold on at a loss.
It seems that in relation to the needs of the side the signings-should they get him-of Fabregas and indeed Sanchez are far too expensive, and wholly unnecessary. To spend the amount they are spending on players who may play little more than a bit-part role in the side seems ludicrous. Surely, they should be addressing the real positions in which they need new recruits. The ageing Puyol is likely to be restricted in the amount he can play as he continues to struggle with injuries, so some cover at the back is clearly required. Sense must prevail in their seemingly senseless transfer policy and rather than just signing players for the sake of it, they should begin to address the real needs of the team.
What do you make of Barca’s transfer policy? Comment below or follow me on Twitter @LaurenRutter and let me know your views.
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