Catching the Catalans

So Barcelona, and their magnificent football, have set the benchmark for the chasing teams in La Liga and Europe. Europe’s “Big Guns” will have to improve if they are to come close. The football displayed by Barcelona in the Champions League final was just mesmerizing to watch, and their little magician Messi was absolutely unplayable on the night. In fairness, 3-1 was a modest score line for Man united...so what do the chasing pack from England need to do to catch up ? I’ll have a look at some of England’s top clubs and discuss my view.

I’ll start with the Champions League runners up, Man United. Personally, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that defence at Old Trafford. They were comprehensively outplayed against the Catalans, but it is, as always the Barce engine room that dictates and dominates play. Man United will be going through a small transition phase in the off season because they have to replace a number of players like Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes, Hargreaves and possibly even Dimitar Berbatov.  Its van der Sar and Scholes’ replacements that will give Sir Fergi the most headaches though. It has been rumoured that David de Gea, the Spanish wonder kid goalkeeper, is on his way to Old Trafford, with just personal terms to be decided.  That is good news as he is a quality youngster with a very bright future. I hope that works out. It is also rumoured that man United might be looking at Wesley Sneijder or Luka Modric to replace Scholes. I like both options, and I would have to say that that there is really only a handful of players that realistically be mentioned and Sneijder and Modric fit that description. Ashley Young has also been said to be on his way to Old Trafford. He is a quality player who deserves champions league football. I would imagine that he is the long term replacement for one Ryan Giggs.

These are of course still just rumours...and I won’t get my hopes up until I see either of them holding a red shirt in their hands with the Stretford end in the background... This type of quality would add to the English League Champion’s squad, but I would also look for a player to replace the combative Owen Hargreaves. The poor guy had no luck, but he needs to be replaced with someone strong and tough like Lassana Diarra at Real Madrid, or someone in that mould.

I am afraid the academy graduate Darren Gibson should go to a Stoke, Newcastle, Bolton or Villa. He is not good enough to go pound for pound with Europe’s elite.

Man United have youngsters coming back from loan like the highly rated Tom Cleverly, Welbeck and Kiko Macheda. With Rooney, Chicharito, Owen, Welbeck and Macheda as striking options (not sure Berba will be there), I think there are enough goals in the team.  I am confident that United will challenge on all fronts again with a stronger squad (than this season) expected to be assembled. There are exciting times ahead at Old Trafford.

Chelsea have a lot to do. They have to replace the man in charge, or just find a manager that will put up with the Russian’s nonsense. Guus Hiddink seems to be on his way back to the plastic club though - he is a quality manager. Their squad is strong and have depth in all places except maybe left and right back, and at right midfield. Chelsea need to find a replacement for Frank Lampard, the serial goal scorer. He didn’t look himself in the final weeks of the season, but I am sure he will be back to the goal scoring form we are used to next season. He is 32 though, and won’t be around for too long. I am certain that Drogba, Anelka and Malouda will move on. Neither looked happy, and they are getting old. That will pave the way for super talented Neymar, Romelu Lukaku, maybe even Kun Aguero. Maybe they will even keep Daniel Sturridge who performed very well at Bolton. But I have a small feeling the Russian will try sign Kaka to play behind our favourite 50million pound joke, Torres... Their midfield with Essien, Remires and Mikel is still like my coffee, black, strong and carries a kick, but they will have a tough time against the magic that is the Barce engine room, especially since Man United’s made them look average. Their defence is solid though, and I’m sure still womanizing.

Chelsea will splash the cash to give their new manager the opportunity to win silverware. Competing with Barcelona will have to wait I am afraid, but keep an eye on them next season, They will be strong and compete on all fronts.

Man City, well, who knows where they are going to spend their billions. They have a good squad, and are starting to find a “team” somewhere in there. They will spend, and get rid of their “deadwood” like Shay Given, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jerome Boateng, Craig Bellemy, Jo. They have a big squad but with Champions League football next season, I can see them splashing  like never before. I am sure records will be broken. This gives the smaller teams in the league like Stoke and maybe even Newcastle to pick up their “deadwood” players. They will have to buy a world class defender in the absence of the druggy, Kolo Toure, who is suspended for 6 months for doping. It should be a very interesting off season for “Moneybags”... 

I cannot see them even lacing the boots of the Barcelona players next season. They are still a work in progress. 



Flying out of here! I want to win trophies...



The gunners,. No experience, no trophies. Simple. They need to buy an aggressive commanding centre back to partner Vermulan. They need to get rid of deadwood like the other 3 centre backs, Denilson, Rosicky, Diaby, Almunia and Bendtner... they need to hold on to Clichy and Nasri. Fabregas, as good as he is, should be cashed in to strengthen the squad with men, that can compete and want to fight to win trophies. It seems as though Nasri’s future is in doubt. He turned down a contract extension at the Emirates. Maybe the idea of “winning football” has entered another Arsenal player’s mind...

I would buy Shay Givan from City, Gary Cahill from Bolton or Chris Samba from Blackburn, Scott Parker from West Ham and Falcoa or Hulk from Porto. I would also give Carlos Vela a decent opportunity to play because I believe he can score goals. Most of these are experienced in the Premier League. The key to Arsenal’s success, after solidifying a back 4, is to have van Persie playing in the free role the way Wayne Rooney does at Man United. VP is such a talented player that he should be given license to do and be whatever he wants in front of a solid midfield. But that would mean the Gooners would need another goal scorer... 

With those signings, will have some more fight (not necessarily great footballers, but more grit and will to win), know-how, and experience at the top levels. The key though is plugging the very evident holes at the back... will Arsene Spend?

The problem with trying to match Barcelona right now is that the chasing teams are one step behind already. Barcelona have the best players in the world. Their fitness levels, and amount of games they play as a unit makes them this juggernaut unable to stop at the moment. They have a wonderful blend of youth and experience and they also have money to spend. Reports say they are about to sign Guiseppi Rossi from Villareal. Who thought they needed another goal scorer? But they are truly building a team that could dominate world football for years. Xavi is 32, he has 2-3 years left and that is why they want Cesc Fabregas. Cesc is in the same mould with similar characteristics. I can see them buying a young centre back for the retirement of Carlos Puyol in a couple years time (if their extraordinary youth system doesn’t already have one yet).  Other than that, their squad is of a good age to continue their monopolization of La Liga and possibly Europe for years to come.

In order to match this special club (apparently they are more than a club?), the chasing pack will have to adopt similar philosophies. Their team is made up of 70% of home grown talent. The players have the club flowing through their veins.

They, of course, also have a humble, dynamic and likable young manager that believes in a football style that has turned the football world upside down and his players love and respect him.  It must not be forgotten that before he took over from Franck Rijkaard, Barcelona did not play as attractively, dominate as much as they do now, nor win trophies as consistently.  

What do you think? Can Barcelona be caught ?