(at the end of the season, Barça Transfer Zone looks forward to the coming transfer summer making an analysis for each position, in part 5 we look at the defensive midfielder)
2007-2008
He was the least known of the four transfers last summer, but Ivorian defensive midfielder Yaya Touré (24) established himself from the start as a key player in the team. If he was not fit or during the Africa Cup he was replaced by Rafael Márquez (29), Andrés Iniesta (23) or José Edmílson (31), who was injured during the first part of the season.
Out
The contract of Brazilian defensive midfielder Edmílson, who arrived in 2004 from Olympique Lyon, expires in June and will not be renewed. In the last months the player has been linked with clubs like Betis, Besiktas and Villareal. Mexican central defender and defensive midfielder Márquez could also leave (read more here).
In
Barcelona had planned to bring in a solid back-up for Touré. But it is now to be seen what the effect of the appointment of Josep Guardiola as the new Barcelona manager will be on how this position will be filled in. If Guardiola wants to bring back the 'pivote', the playmaker before the defence that he has been during his career, it could well be that Xavi or Iniesta, who were formed at this position, could be pulled back.
Olympique Lyon midfielder and Barcelona loan out Marc Crosas (20), who was nicknamed "the new Guardiola" (both for the position he played as for the physical resemblance), has now probably more chance to come back, despite having said he would prefer to stay at least one more year at Lyon.
This could also cause Barcelona to look for another type of player. Barcelona has been linked with players like Christian Poulsen (Sevilla - 28), Seydou Keita (Sevilla - 28), Daniele De Rossi (Roma - 24), Stéphane Mbia (Rennes - 21) and David Albelda (Valencia - 30), but Guardiola could well prefer a player like Xabi Alonso (Liverpool - 26).
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5 comments:
You also have to consider how long it will take for Toure to rehab from his upcoming hernia surgery. Although you have to admire his spirit to keep on playing and postpone the surgery till the season is over. Essien and Mascherano would be my first and second choices. I wouldn't be opposed to an Essien for Eto'o swap either. I just feel that without that creative midfield presence to sheppard him along Eto'o is just not as effective. Of course if Henry leaves first all bets are off. And the only way I could see Mascherano leaving Liverpool is if Barca offered Xavi or Iniesta as part of a swap,(especially with the anticipated departure of Xabi Alonso from Anfield).
A Xavi-Essien swap was rumoured/suggested today.
Thanks for the scoop Pep! If I was Laporta I would pull the trigger on that swap immediately! Xavi does waaaay to much dribbling in midfield for my tastes. For minutes at a time he just "sits" on the damn ball! It's useless giving him the ball on a counter break away because by the time he's done dribbling all ten men will be back on defense! Essien on the other hand is a sheer BEAST in midfield! (Pray Real doesn't get him!)He plays hard and with a "nasty" temperament to boot. He's just the type of player Barca needs, to blend in with all the "pretty boys" up front.
Barca have never, nor will they ever need a "beast", the likes of Chr. Poulsen and Toure can stay away to please me.
I my mind Barca needs a Guardiola type, like Albelda or Carlos Alberto or perhaps Crosas, form what I hear.
xabi alonso sucks. he costs a fortune too.
no no
I prefer yaya
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