According to Xavi, there is a “diagnosis” on what Barça needs for 2022-23. So, to work. Guaranteed qualification for the Champions League with the win against Betis, it is time for the Barça club to close down the folders.
Planning, however, has an entry problem. Barça, which currently has a negative salary margin of 144 million that will improve because the azulgrana exceeded their classification among the top four, does not know what margin LaLiga will give them to make additions. Jordi Cruyff admitted that, depending on Tebas’ flexibility, they will have to activate a plan A, B, or C.
Mateu Alemany and Xavi will have to choose where to start. If it’s because of the crack that Laporta promised off the record to the media, it’s going to be difficult. The priorities were Haaland, Salah or Lewandowski and the three seem very far away. If there is an option, it is Polish. And starting a future project for a 34-year-old striker does not have an absolute consensus. Rijkaard’s Barça stood up with Ronaldinho as a star. He was 23 years old. And Guardiola’s, with Messi, who was 21.
The most urgent thing for Barça is to resolve the hieroglyph of the current squad. First, you need to sort out the renewals. The Gavi extension could close next week; Dembélé’s is still pending a final meeting. Sergi Roberto will continue for a year in another decision that has generated controversy.
Departures
Drop ballast is another key. Xavi does not currently have Neto, Mingueza, Lenglet, Umtiti, Riqui Puig, Braithwaite, Adama and Luuk de Jong. The thorny case of Alves is pending, who wants to continue for another year but is at the physical limit. Barça suffers on the right side and its continuity does not seem easy. The Barça club has another handful of players on loan who will have to return and whom they will have to release. Coutinho, after a great start at Villa, has been losing strength. Pjanic and Trincao are not in the coach’s plans and the future of Collado and Iñaki Peña is not clear either. The former could extend his contract and, as seen in the preseason, continue or enter into an operation. Iñaki Peña, on loan at Galatasaray, wants minutes and, with Ter Stegen, that doesn’t seem easy. His status as second goalkeeper next season is also unclear.
There will be signings
Those of Christensen, coming from Chelsea, and Kessié, who will arrive from Milan, are in the absence of a signature. Azpilicueta’s, a wild card for the central position and the wings, pending that Chelsea keep their word to release him. From there Marcos Alonso could also arrive, who has asked the blues to return to Spain. Javi Galán is another of the alternatives to give Alba oxygen. And the Brazilian Raphinha is pending the future of Dembélé.
The big question of the summer, however, has to do with the news that AS announced last Monday. Barça needs a big sale and the chosen one is Frenkie de Jong, who has not finished cracking in his three seasons at Barça. He is valued footballingly, but he has not been the leader of the new Barça project. The club needs to cash in and free up wage bills. If a powerful offer arrives for Frenkie de Jong, the Dutchman will leave and Barça will be reinforced by Carlos Soler, with whom there is already an agreement.
What will not change at Barça will be the captains. Sergio Busquets (34 years old in July), Piqué (35 years old in February), Jordi Alba (33) and Sergi Roberto (30) will continue wearing Barça. There are voices that ask for a replacement, but Xavi assures that his commitment excites them. For there, he has not yet started the future at Barça.