How to Build a Better Team (and have fun doing it!) part 2

By: Isaiah | May 22nd, 2008

Before, in Part 1, we covered both Voldemort and the defense, so today it’s only fair that we cover the midfield. I’m not going to lead with some sort of gimmick (like last time) or anything, I’m just going to jump right into the cauldron.

Guardiola has not promised anything other than to play like Barcelona should play, so we’re going to assume he means to keep the defense as a 4 (if not exactly flat-back four, then certainly four defenders will be on the field at all times), but when you hit the midfield, things become fuzzy. Will he employ the tried-and-true 4-3-3 or will he go for a more controversial switch to a 4-4-2? The basic question is, will Guardiola believe in his forward line or his midfield? Some of those questions may be answered by who he gets to power his backline, especially the Dani Alves situation. But regardless, let’s look at what he currently has at his disposal.

True Midfielders:
Toure, Deco, Xavi, Iniesta

Attacking/Forward Midfielders:
Messi, Ronaldinho, Dos Santos

That’s 7 players for 3 positions, so someone has to be the odd man out. Deco and Ronaldinho seem to be headed out the door, but is this the right move? Will it solve any “locker room disputes” that may or may not really have occurred, or is Ronaldinho being shown the door merely because of Rijkaard’s presence?

Since you’re here for it, here are my thoughts on Deco and Ronaldinho: If they are above fighting for the team then by all means let them go (at a hefty price, of course), but if they are willing to take their lumps and play a rotating system in which they do their part, definitely, let’s keep them. They are both world class talents and I’d love to see them stay. Perhaps that’s sentimental of me, but I don’t think they’re done with brilliance. Perhaps they are and Barcelona wants to move on to a new era, but I don’t think so.

Add to those names Gai Assulin and Thiago Alcantara and we have ourselves a pretty good midfield, but over the course of a 60 game season, we might need some more cover. Bringing in a player like Keita would be good because it would provide much-needed backup and versatility, but it wouldn’t solve the major problem the team had this previous year: the left wing. Without Ronaldinho, the team has a massive hole in its flank, regardless of whether you play 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. There are several names being bandied about, none have truly sparked my interest. Malouda has been suggested, but he’s always been unable to earn my true admiration since joining Chelsea. During yesterday’s CL final, I watch him in particular and found everything that he did to be lacking in both creativity and drive. Perhaps just a bad day among many better days, but it was the time he needed to shine and, for my money, he was quite off-color.

If we’re going to bring in someone from outside, that person should have both the abilities necessary and the youth to make it worthwhile (Malouda is 27). That’s where Samir Nasri would have been a fantastic signing: 20 years old and capable of playing anywhere in midfield. At 15million euros, that’s a steal in my book. Even so, a true left-wing would be an even better. Names like Franck Ribery should be given serious thought, but he’s too expensive at the moment and will, no doubt, remain so. He has done well in Germany and will stay there, I’m sure, to participate in the Champions League with Bayern. So that leaves it up to Barcelona’s scouts to name a fantastic player worth getting. I’m sure they’re up to the task, but we’ll see if it comes to fruition or not.

As for the center, if Deco leaves, we’ll either replace him Ronaldinho or Iniesta and fill in any gaps in style by pushing Thiago into the mix earlier than anticipated. That may or may not work out, but it’s an interesting idea nonetheless. Ronnie finally playing the position I’ve always thought he was best at? Central attacking midfielders need to be strong, pass-oriented but capable of shooting from range, and have superb vision. Ronnie has all of those if he’s willing to subscribe to the above conditions. Perhaps he’s played on the wing too long to be a great midfielder, but I see potential there. And yeah, thanks to Kevin for suggesting that.

Kevin has also been praising João Moutinho, but I have never seen the kid play. It’d be nice if he were the new Deco and we brought him in on the cheap, but that doesn’t seem likely. I would also hate to have to put in that pesky ã every time…But again, if he’s up to snuff, bring him in for 10million euros or less and we’ll see what’s cookin’. Otherwise, no dice. Dos Santos could fit the bill on the left, but I still read him as a right-sided player with decent abilities on the left. Definitely not someone to bet the season on, but we should keep him around for his potential and his ability to come off the bench and score goals.

On to some more tactical stuff: the question of Toure becomes a very interesting one. I would personally prefer a defensive system similar to what we currently have, with Toure taking up the center of midfield and playing a holding role, with Xavi zipping around him and creating off the dribble. However, I’d also like to see Toure push up more and join the attack. Too often this year we’ve found ourselves lacking someone in the middle of the opponent’s half circle at the crucial moment. If Toure pushes up, that allows Iniesta and Xavi to drift around a little bit more for interplays with whoever is on the left and Messi on the right. My dream is to see Toure thundering in shots because the rest of the team is opening up the wings. I think this could happen if Messi is given the support he needs from a rovving fullback and Xavi, who would be pushing up the middle and creating problems for defenders trying to focus on Messi.

However, none of that is possible without play being able to sweep in from the left whenever the right is overloaded with defenders. What made Messi so dangerous before was the respect shown to Ronaldinho by defenders who had seen first hand how he could beat them. Once Ronnie was no longer beating anyone other than the dead horse that is his injury, defenders were able to focus on Messi exclusively and put one defender out on Ronaldinho knowing that nothing bad would happen if the ball ever made its way over there. If that were to happen again next year, all the Dani Alveses in the world wouldn’t save us from another “disappointing” year. If Iniesta is capable of playing on the left side, let him do it, but he’s clearly more capable and effective in the middle.

My dream lineup is still the 4-3-3, built around a solid backline. 4 solid defenders, a central midfielder such as Toure who plays a lot of defense but is able and allowed to carry the ball forward somewhat. He is flanked by two quick little mighty mites like Iniesta and Xavi, and the front line is composed of a dangerous left winger, a striker, and Messi. Sounds like a grand plan, right? But it all hinges on that left winger.

I will now sign off and let you have your say on these matters. I’ll be gone all weekend as it’s Memorial Day and I’ve got better things to do than wish the friendly in Saudi Arabia hadn’t been postponed. I’ll be back on Tuesday to start working on the striker-heavy post and perhaps we’ll have more word on who will be backing them up.