Barcelona was the blueprint for Europe’s biggest and best. They had a different playing style, made the most of the academy starlets and created their own legends. Those from the Spanish funds would buy their way to victory. They had no long-term aims, their transport strategy was erratic at best and their Galácticos coverage was faulty.
It appeared like Los Blancos looked set to repeat mistakes from the past when they began to target significant names once more. Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kaká arrived throughout the 20009 summer season.
But this new incarnation of this Galácticos was a lot more balanced. It was far more operational and the 13-time champions of Europe went about updating regions of the group when necessary. Needless to say, they made a couple of mistakes along the way. For example, they parted ways with Mesut Özil to accommodate James Rodríguez following a gorgeous 2014 World Cup.
However, their dealings in the transfer market over the last few seasons show Actual are operating at another level nowadays. Since the summer of 2018, Los Merengues happen to be on a young recruitment drive to set up themselves for another decade.
All were 23 or under upon their birth, also. Real Madrid have invested heavily in these players but unlike before, they have spent in a long-term strategy to achievement.
Eden Hazard’s arrival raised numerous eyebrows but Los Blancos had a replacement for Ronaldo and the Belgian can bridge the gap between his former No.7’s death and among Rodrygo or Vinícius being prepared to shoulder that responsibility. It was a smart move. Here is the best way to attain it.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have reversed all their great work. That number would have dropped further had those accountable got their way. Dembélé and Arthur, together with a host of other titles, were allegedly part of the deal put to Paris Saint-Germain to deliver Neymar back.
Yes, Barça were ready to part with just two players they signed for about the $250million mark to be able to lure the French champions into parting ways with the world’s most expensive player.
It’s likely they will have a hit on the 140million they parted with to signal Coutinho, also, with reports in Germany indicating Bayern will not be making his move a permanent one in the summertime.
It’s a similar story with Dembélé. The World Cup winner has struggled with injuries and various reports in Spain assert the Catalans are ready to cash in on him when the year comes to an end. They will struggle to recoup the first #88.5million they paid Borussia Dortmund for him in August 2017. Not only will there be substantial losses but Barcelona are also in a strange position of having to freshen their forwards line up once more.
Luis Suárez is now 33, Lionel Messi turns 33 at the end of the year and Griezmann is 29 in March. There is no succession plan in place. Once more, their strategy was incredibly short-term.
Valencia ahead Rodrigo topped their wishlist despite turning 29 in March. Reports claimed that, so as to land him, Barcelona would signal Sporting celebrity Bruno Fernandes before committing him to Los Che to sweeten the deal. The Portuguese instead joined Manchester United and Barça failed to sign a striker despite being linked with an array of short-term alternatives.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also among the targets but the Catalan club balked in the fee Arsenal were demanding. In a way, Barcelona have had a fortunate escape. Aubameyang, as great as he is, is 31 in June. He is not going to play forever and parting with £60million to secure a player going to the possible twilight of his career makes no business sense.
Now they are used as a poster for how not dabble in the transport market. In a post-Messi world, Barcelona will have some reconstruct on its hands. To make things worse, they might need to use Real Madrid as a guide on the best way best to get back to winning ways. The tables have been turned to those two great clubs.
