It’s been a turbulent 12 months for Spanish giants FC Barcelona. After relinquishing the Copa Del Rey and La Liga to Atletico and Real Madrid respectively, there has been a huge shake-up of personnel at the four-time European champions.
After the controversial Neymar transfer saga, president Sandro Rosell stepped down and was replaced by Josep Maria Bartomeu, and the changes have been coming thick and fast ever since.
All too often last season the Catalans failed to deliver when the going got tough, and it was evident that the club needed a change in personnel. Tata Martino stepped down as Barca boss and was replaced by Barcelona legend Luis Enrique, who’s coaching CV includes coaching Barcelona’s B side for a number of years.
April saw the club sign Croatian wunderkind Alen Halilovic from Dynamo Zagreb. Widely regarded by many as Leo Messi’s successor, the similarities between the 18-year-old Croat and the four-time Ballon d’Or winner are uncanny.
The Catalans were able to sign the Croatian prodigy before the club got slapped with a two-season transfer ban. However, it turned out to be an eventful summer for La Blaugrana as a decision was made to ban the club from the signing players from January 2015, thus allowing the side to go for broke in the transfer market.
And go for broke they did.
Cesc Fabregas was shipped off to Chelsea in the blink of an eye and Croatian superstar Ivan Rakitic was signed from La Liga rivals Sevilla. Alexis Sanchez was sold to Arsenal, a decision which angered a number of Blaugrana fans, but the sale of the Chilean winger allowed the club to sign arguably the best striker on the planet in the shape of Uruguayan hitman Luis Suarez.
The controversial but prolific striker was signed from Liverpool after topping the Premier League scoring charts with 31 goals, despite missing the first six matches of the season through suspension.
The Uruguayan was signed just weeks after he was banned from football for four months after biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup – the third such incident of his career.
Suarez will be unable to play until the end of October, but expect big things from the former Liverpool man when he finally lines up for the Catalan giants.
The club would eventually sign German shot-stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Borussia Monchengladbach and Chilean international keeper Claudio Bravo to challenge him for the number one spot.
French defender Jeremy Mathieu was signed from Valencia along with Brazilian right back Douglas who was signed after the Catalans failed to secure the services of rampaging Colombian Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, who refused to be deployed as a right back.
Luis Enrique’s side also secured the services of former Arsenal captain and Belgian international centre back Thomas Vermaelen. Gerard Deulofeu and Barcelona B star Denis Saurez were both loaned to Sevilla and winger Cristian Tello was loaned to FC Porto before the transfer window slammed shut.
It will take time to deem Barcelona’s transfer window as a success, and with the club now unable to sign players until 2016, Barcelona’s current crop of new stars will be given considerable time to prove their worth.
With Dani Alves in decline and Xavi not very far away from retirement, potential replacements have already been signed in the shape of Ivan Rakitic and Douglas respectively.
Expect Luis Suarez to be a hit too, the Uruguayan should be able to flourish under Luis Enrique. While some are skeptical that arguably the world’s best attacking trio of Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar will work, Luis Enrique’s strict disciplinary approach should help Barcelona’s South American attacking trident to become as deadly as it looks on paper.
Things are looking positive for the Catalans, the team is better balanced than the previous season and Luis Enrique’s appointment could prove to be the Catalan’s biggest master stroke since a certain Pep Guardiola took over from Frank Riijkaard in 2008.
Jj
Guest
I have to agree, although I think the Eto'o Henry, Ronaldinho lineup didn't prosper as much because it Henry was learning the Barca system -- he was asked to play a different style (despite how similar Arsenal plays to Barca style) and a completely different role (as opposed to the lone striker). In the 08-09 campaign, I was surprised and happy to win the CL despite losing Ronaldinho, Deco, Thuram, and Zambrotta. But the defense did not (nor offense) struggle with Keita, Pique, Alves, and promotion of Busquets. That was a good year where we actually took time to strengthen the defense, unlike the recent years... and look what that won us. Anyway, I wanted to comment on the formation Nacho intends to use: the false 9, which I haven't seen Barca truly put it to use with Messi since Guardiola. I think it will work particularly well with Suarez and Neymar because they both like to cut in from the wings, while Messi plays a little deep and causes marking issues with the defense. So who do you choose to defend guys, Messi and leave the center exposed or the wings and leave room in the middle for Messi!? I really can't wait until Suarez can play and see the amount of chaos we can cause. Sidenote* I'm happy to see Real struggling. They made a big mistake getting rid of Alonso (who I actually like) and Di Maria. Now they don't know where to play James, and Kroos is useless without a good holding CDM.. as you've probably seen in Germany's recent intl. matches (as well as RMs) when paired with Kramer/Isco or Modric... they all just lose possession to often when the MFs collapse on them. Simply without a top-class CDM, Kroos will surely struggle without Khedira and RM's woes will continue unless someone like Illaramendi can step it up big time.
Daniel Gartner
Roar Rookie
I would argue that the Eto'o, Messi, Henry frontline was better, as Barcelona won an unprecedented six trophies in 2009 and trounced Real Madrid 6-2 in their own backyard with that lineup. As good as the Eto'o, Henry, Ronaldinho lineup was on paper it didn't really prosper, as Barcelona only had that lineup in the 2007-08 season and didn't win any trophies (and finished 3rd in the league). The Neymar, Suarez, Messi frontline has the potential to be Barcelona's best despite the players sharing some similarities. Only time will tell whether it can better Barcelona's 2009 frontline or their Stoichkov-Romario strike force that swept all before them in the early 90's.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Daniel, I would have to disagree wth your statement that this is the best frontline Barca has had. I think the Eto'o, Ronaldinho & Henry frontline was the best Barca ever had simply because they all had something different to give. Neymar, Suarez and Messi seem great on paper but they are quite similar in their style of play and all love the ball at their feet early. I also do not see a plan B with this Barca attack in the form of a physical presence in the box.
Steve
Guest
Oh agreed. Barcelona were not great last season. The point being with a coach out of his depth, a team with injuries to key players and little depth, and an unmotivated squad, they were still within a bees dick of the best sides. With Lucho, an improved squad in all areas and a Messi that is actually running, they look scary good.
Daniel Gartner
Roar Rookie
Rather fortunate indeed, and I'm doubtful another club would have been given the same treatment.
Daniel Gartner
Roar Rookie
On paper you'd struggle to find a scarier line-up in football. I've followed Barca since 2001 as a kid, but I'd have to say this is their strongest frontline in living memory. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing that could stop Suarez from being a success is himself. I've heard Luis Enrique will play Neymar and Suarez up top and Messi in behind, playing a similar role to what's he's done for Argentina recently. Suarez should thrive though!
Adam
Guest
Quite fortunate their ban was delayed just long enough to bring in players. I wonder if a smaller club would have been so fortunate
Daniel Gartner
Roar Rookie
Barca still had a solid season but simply weren't strong enough, and Martino wasn't quite the right man for the job either. He was too laid back and that often reflected in his team's performances as they often looked sluggish. Luis Enrique is far more strict and already knows the Barcelona system, he should be able to bring the best out of the team. He's the sort of coach who doesn't tolerate dressing room egos as well, and he'd have no trouble leaving big names out of the squad.
Pete
Guest
That is a ridiculous amount of quality in that squad now. I like how they sign young players still though ... that is develop players rather than buy ready made players (well not all were ready made). Suarez I think will be amazing for Barca ... if he keeps his teeth to himself (maybe make him wear a mouth guard?)
AZ_RBB
Guest
Best. Ban. EVER!
Steve
Guest
Strengthened in all areas of the park. Much more balanced side. While they didn't win a trophy last season (supercopa not counting), they only got knocked out in each tournament by the barest of margins (against the two UCL Finalists mind you), all with that clown Pinto in goals. They will be one of the favourites for the title, and have a better team than they have had since they last won the Champions League