Josep Guardiola: officially official
By: Isaiah | June 17th, 2008Pep Guardiola was officially presented as the new manager of the first team today, closing one chapter (that of Frank Rijkaard) and opening another. It’s good to have Guardiola actually be part of the team so that we can focus all of our energy on other things.
In his post-presentation press conference, Guardiola made a couple of bold statements. Some of them I liked, some of them I thought were statements being made by someone who doesn’t know how to handle the media.
I’m not experienced [as a coach] because I’m 37 years old. The only thing I have going for me as a coach is that these gentlemen [Laporta and Txiki] have chosen me. I’m not worried and I’m not scared by the challenge. I’m taking it on with a lot of confidence.*
That’s all well and good, though he makes the mistake of admitting that his superiors took on a completely inexperienced coach; whatever, hopefully it’s just Guardiola not giving a crap about what the media does to his words. He does, however, go on to further dampen the mood for me.
Every player from last season’s squad struck me as being at a high level [talent-wise]. With the technical secretary [Txiki] we are forming a squad and Deco, Ronaldinho, and Eto’o are not in our minds, but we’ll see how it goes.**
I disagree a million percent with saying straight up that you don’t want particular players, especially when those players are top-notch stars. Deco is having a superb Euro and yet he’s out? Eto’o is just another superb striker with some emotional problems, but the operative word, for me, is superb, not problems. Ronaldinho, well, that’s something else that can’t really be judged from the outside, but suffice to say that it’s probably a difficult situation (and now the LA Galaxy are in the mix, according to El Mundo Deportivo — they’ve offered Barcelona €26m for him and offered €32million a year to Ronnie himself in salary and image rights, split evenly).
Still, you don’t air that sort of thing to the media even if you don’t give a crap about what they’ll do with it because it’s not in your best interest to force your club’s hand thanks to the players in question getting offended and turning potentially salvageable situation into a utter disaster or making any transfer fee for them lower because everyone knows they’re being run out of Dodge. It’s certainly nice for the speculators (myself included, of course) to know what’s going on, but since we still don’t have a clue as to what’s going on, why does Guardiola feel that giving out these details is a good idea? If you’re into unity above all, e pluribus unum if you will, why create fissures in your locker room before you’ve taken control? Bold statements lead to bold reactions and that’s just the sort of thing that hurt last year, if we can believe all the reports we’ve read about internal division.
Barça B ain’t no first team, buddy. This comic from Sport is a good example of what Guardiola is in for. If you can’t read Spanish, I think you’ll still get the gist just by looking at the pictures.
*Feel free to take umbrage at my translation: “No tengo experiencia porque tengo 37 años. Mi único mérito como entrenador es que estos señores me han escogido a mi. No tengo miedo ni estoy asustado ante el reto. Lo cojo con mucha ilusión.”
**”Todos los jugadores que tenía la plantilla la pasada temporada me parecen de un nivel altísimo. Con la secretaría técnica estamos formando una plantilla y Deco, Ronaldinho y Eto’o no están en nuestra mente, pero veremos como va”
Category: Team News
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
http://fcbtransfers.blogspot.com/2008/06/barcelona-board-considers-aguero.html
We want Aguero! Awesome news, not that this is going to happen. Infact, the only possible better news would be if we were looking for a better goalkeeper. I am not 100
% sure how good Aguero is because i have only been observing his game for one season but what i have seen till now is very very encouraging. I am surprised that this kid has not been flooded with offers. Only problem i see is his height.Does a front three of Bojan Messi and Aguero interest anyone?
Posted from
United States
-
Sid: no. That lineup makes me cringe with how few goals we’d score. When it was necessary to have a strong central striker, Bojan has gone missing. He’s fantastically talented, but not in the “9″ mold we’ve been talking about. He’s too small to make a big impact in the box when a ref isn’t calling cheap-o penalties.
I remember in one of Bojan’s first games I was taking notes for my review and I noted that he was being pushed off the ball far too easily. That he was 17 was probably the major reason, but he’s also very small (5′7″ roughly 145lbs — 65kg) and so he’s not the kind of striker who can get into the mix all that easily. He has room to grow (literally and figuratively) since I think of David Villa as a powerful player despite the fact that he is 2 inches taller and only 8 or so pounds heavier, but for now he and the rest of the mighty mites will be physically outmatched up front.
If you’re talking pure talent, then yeah, that’s a fantastic lineup, but if you’re talking goal output, then no, I don’t want to see it. I don’t think Aguero and Messi play together as well as others think they do (4-1 over a managerless Mexico not withstanding) and I don’t think they manufacture goalscoring opportunities without a bigger striker to fill the middle of the field while they stray wide. Julio Cruz, Diego Milito, even Rodrigo Palacio (at 5′9″) fill that role for Argentina [by the way, has anyone watched Fernando Cavenaghi? He has scored 24 in 44 for Bordeaux...is he that good?]. When Tevez gets out on the field, another smaller striker, there is a definite lack of goals coming out of those three.
The USA-Argentina match is a perfect example of how large, physical forwards can control a smaller set of strikers, but that their speed will open up a defense for a larger striker to get runs on goal (the Luca Toni move, so to speak). That Julio Cruz missed was both because of Tim Howard and his own fault, but the shots-on-goal were there thanks to that tactic.
So, in short, again, no. I wouldn’t want those three starting for Barcelona, as tempting as it may be to give a shot.
Posted from
United States -
couldn’t agree more with Isaiah..we already have a fair share of strikers who are tiny…we do not need any more…no matter how good they are..its about versatility and adaptability in front of the goal …Tall, strong strikers good in the air is what we need right now…or else teams will play us the way Italy played Spain yesterday, fully aware that there is no aerial threat whatsoever, be it in open play or set plays…
Posted from
United States -
Cavenaghi has always been a player I liked, he made the wrong career move going to Russia but last season he showed he still has it, and he is still young too. I definitely think he would fit us more than Adebayor or Aguero, or even Palacio and would be cheaper too.
I still think Huntelaar is the best option, however I’m not opposed to keeping Eto’o, but if Guardiola has a problem him there isn’t much we can do about it. Either way, at this point it would eb a crime to not at least look into Arshavin and stop negotiating with Arsenal – Wenger really wants Yaya, and will take us for a ride unless we give him what he wants; so telling the Gunners to hump a sofa cushion sounds like a great idea to me.
Posted from
Argentina -
Hey, welcome back, Isaiah! You echo my anti-Aguero arguments. What’s the point of yet another short, talented dude? Hleb is more of the same.
As I said, I don’t think Adebayor is the best answer. But he might be the best available answer. The deal just sounds too complex. Is Pavlyuchenko worth the risk? Arshavin? I think that we’ll know more after Thursday afternoon. But as someone pointed out, Arshavin was raising hell in the UEFA Cup, and led his team to victory. They ran Bayern off the pitch, then put the sword to Rangers.
I want the “9″ to have agility, ball skills, a good shot, size and strength. That doesn’t leave a lot of guys. Cavenaghi is still under that 6-foot mark, which I think is of value once you start moving through the Champions League rounds, absent a fully committed Ronaldinho.
It’s one reason I brought up Ibrahimovic’s name. He’s 26, has ball skills, laced in 17 goals in 26 appearances in Serie A, where teams park the bus in front of goal. I might actually prefer him to Adebayor, provided his knee is up to snuff. But he was on, then off the market.
That central striker is going to be a big, big question as we move forward this summer. I think we all agree that Adebayor isn’t the perfect answer. But is he one of the best available answers, when you look at what Guardiola wants out of that position?
Huntelaar is over 6 feet (just) and he’s young, at 24 years old. He’s also worth a serious look. But I think even more than that Deco replacement, we have to really worry about that central striker.
One argument against Adebayor:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dz9uDJcUsW4&feature=related
Posted from
United States -
We would probably get Huntelaar for around the €20million mark considering no one has bit for him yet and as Nolan said we have a good relationship with Ajax. He has 72 goals in his last 80 startsr Ajax. Forget about Adebayor having better athleticism or scoring goal of the season, Huntelaar, feeding off Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Alves etc., will reach (Brazilian) Ronaldo-like numbers in a season.
We should complete the deal for Huntelaar quickly, so that we don’t get carried along by paper talk.
One other thing, Arshavin wouldn’t exactly be a replacement for Deco. He plays a much more advanced role that Deco does. He normally plays as a second striker for Zenit and Russia, with a roaming license. He plays mostly left but looks comfortable anywhere across the front to me.
Palacio isn’t normally a central striker although could be used in an Eto’o role, drifting wide and always looking for space to work in. I’d sign him anyway. He has pace to burn and would be a great person to bring on in any match, or could easily slot in for any one of the front three. Probably could get him for around €15million and is only on wages of about €700,000 a year if the Argentinian press is to be believed.
Anyone know why we are not cashing in on Marquez and Oleguer and picking up a cheap right back like Cortes from Getafe to balance our squad? Seems like would make sense.
My squad for the season:
Valdes, Pinto
Alves, Pique, Puyol, Caceres, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Marquez(Cortes)
Yaya, Keita, Xavi, Iniesta, Hernanes(<€15m) and Crosas
Messi, Palacio, Huntelaar, Bojan, Henry, ArshavinPosted from
Ireland -
On another note, has anyone else heard rumours that EE are thinking of selling Sneijder to facilitate Ronaldo? What are the chances we could replace Deco with Sneijder. He is awesome.
Even if they sold him to an english team and we swooped in for him in a season or two.Posted from
Ireland -
Thanks, Kevin. I’m back, but not for long. The real vacation starts on Saturday.
Ciaran, I can’t condone suggesting Sneijder as a Deco replacement. It’s not that Sneijder isn’t good, but he’s tainted goods now and I want no part of that. When you’re RM once, you’re RM for life. Only one player has really ever transcended that and I still don’t like to think about it.
Posted from
United States -
Goal.com quoted Ingla as saying this:
“He (Arshavin) is a good player but Barcelona are looking at different alternatives,” said Ingla.
“We are currently negotiating with other clubs for interesting players by being frank and honest.”
Shit.
Posted from
Australia -
Ugh.
Hleb and Adebayor are not winners. I’m trying to have faith in the board but it is very difficult..
Posted from
Argentina -
Luis Enrique, I presume, is the player you are talking about Isaiah. He left Real as a decent player and became a legend with us. If Sneijder was forced out, I’d love to give him the opportunity to down them.
Either way, it’s not important as it won’t happen.
It makes you wonder if the reason we have not completed some of the deals is because the players we want are still in the Euros?
The likes of David Silva, Andrei Arshavin, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Mario Gomez are still in the competition. We have been linked with all so maybe there’s something in this.
David Silva had a very good game against Italy and we’ve been linked with him for a long time.
Andrei Arshavin has had a fantastic tournament and qualifiers along with a great Uefa Cup run which has brought him to the front of everyone’s mind.
Roman Pavlyuchenko is big and has been good for an impressive Russia side so the media has put 2 and 2 together and linked him with us.
Mario Gomez has been linked to us for a long time also but hasn’t done a lot to impress at the Euro’s but may have done one good thing… reduced his price tag. That miss must have cost Stuttgart a couple of millionPosted from
Ireland -
http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=746709
below is an excerpt from the link above, which praises the Russian team. I just love it when people praise our 2006 Barca Squad.
”Since then, while the scalps of holders Greece and an aging Sweden may not be too much to write home about, this is not a matter of one win propelling the Russians to stardom. It is their tactical acumen and extraordinary levels of fitness that may prove to set them apart. Against the Dutch, every time they broke forward, players rushed beyond the ball in 2006 Barcelona-like fashion, swarming around the edge of the area, and their unrelenting movement made them nigh-on impossible to track and almost certain to score.”Posted from
United Arab Emirates -
yes that is the one and only reason I am a little skeptical about Arshavin (very very little) ..is it the teams and their formation that is getting the best out of him??…the coaches at Russia and Zenit are world class in Guss and Advokaat?? Is it their tactical know how or is it the player..have to admit..seeing so little I cannot make my mind but it sure looks really good if we can make him play to his best! if we buy him to begin with that is
Posted from
United States -
Been doing some thinking:
One concern I have about Arshavin is his tendency, even stated by his Zenit coach, to disappear. There’s no doubt that he’s talented. The question is, where does he play for us? He’s really something of a secondary striker because of his size, but do we really need one of those?
He can also play attacking mid or winger, but really, he’s a forward. He’s 27 years old, fit and fast as hell. He has great ball skills and a wicked shot. Exceptional vision and passing abilities, also.
Is he the REAL answer, however? Dunno. He’s under 5-foot-8, so yet another mighty mite. The attacking mid aspect is why I envision him as a Deco replacement. Essentially he’s a mid with a great shot and ability to attack the box. (ahem….Messi….ahem)
Arshavin was on best display raising cain busting out of the midfield anyhow. If we’re going to sign a 5′7″ forward, why not just use Krkic more, before he gets frustrated and wants to find first-team football somewhere?
If Arshavin can play attacking mid, rock on. He’s Deco with a much better shot. Let’s grab him, though it sounds like we aren’t going to, if Ingla’s statements are anything to judge by (don’t think they are, fully). But the price HAS to be right. Nothing worse than overpaying for a bust, is probably what an extremely risk-averse board is thinking.
Also, does Guardiola’s plan call for an attacking mid in the Deco mold? If two forwards and Messi, with Xavi, Keita and Yaya in the mid (Keita playing up a bit). Don’t forget that Guardiola is envisioning two forwards, slightly staggered, Messi roaming, three mids and four defenders.
I think too much.
Posted from
United States -
I’d just like to point out a site I just found via the author leaving a note on the previous post: http://www.just-football.com/
Check it out if you have the time. It’s very intelligent and very subtle, I think, which is definitely right up my alley. Cultural anecdotes from the wider footballing world…It’s a self-described “analytical look” at all that is soccer. And probably a lot that isn’t, but that’s the magic, eh?
Posted from
United States -
and why is it that all of the pictures that either Sport or EMD post of Arshavin make him look like a 15-year old? I mean, he’s pretty baby-faced in that stereotypical, red-cheeked, Russian peasant way, but all the poses he’s in are ridiculous.
Example: http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gif/20080624/arshavin2406082.jpg
Example: http://www.sport.es/vivo/recursos/fotos/foto_295/foto_295053_CAS.jpg
Posted from
United States -
Any Arshavin fan click on the link below:
http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=726712.html#realistic+arshavin+wants+results
Good interview and hopefully Txiki does us proudPosted from
Ireland -
-
An interesting article over at goal.com
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=750511
After Pep’s comments about him going, I find this pretty doubtful. But still, it’s an interesting read.
Posted from
Australia -
The new kits are out: http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/galeries/club/temporada07-08/06/nova_samarreta/galeria.html
My opinion is that the yellow is hideous and the blaugrana should have more stripes because I dislike the two-sided nonsense. Bad move, I think.
Posted from
United States -
HORRIBLE…Nike should be ashamed of themselves. The yellow is just bad, and halves?!? I miss my stripes! I don’t see why they keep having to play with the magic formula.
Posted from
Argentina -
I’m not too sure about the home kit, I do miss the stripes as well. I have to say I like the away one though.
Posted from
Canada -
Think back to the mid-70s for the away kit influence. The home kit is early 80s in feel (I think….have to look. My home shirts don’t go back that far.)
Part of why they change is because teams realize a percentage of their profits from shirt sales, particularly global colossi such as us and one Evil Empire.
If you don’t change the shirts, why buy new ones, right? I’m down with it, whatever the shirts. It’s go time.
Posted from
United States -
Kevin, obviously the shirts are going to change for marketing purposes (which is part of the global problem, I think), but that doesn’t mean a massive shift away from the stripes. I love the stripes and I very much dislike the new ones.
I’m not happy about the new away kit because it’s ugly and I’m not going to get any of them (I don’t wear keeper jerseys, which I’ll admit is nice). If it hearkens back to the 70s and 80s, well, that’s bad because the 70s and 80s were global stylistic meltdowns…
Posted from
United States -
So Jake, pursuant to that Goal.com Ronaldinho piece, recall my comments about his sucking so bad that nobody wants to take a chance on him, for the money they’d have to pay.
That would mean one season for us to show off, to play for a job. But if his contract ends in 2010, we would HAVE to sell him next season, right? Probably for peanuts since it’s either that or lose him on a free transfer, which is madness.
Posted from
United States
Read the rest of the comments
Comments are closed
Home 
