Ibrahimovic out of Barcelona and David Villa in?
With Barcelona splashing 40 million euros cash on David Villa, speculations have been intensified over the future of Ibrahimovic at the club. Ibra was signed by Pep last summer from Inter Milan at around 40 million euros plus Samuel Eto’o. With the further interests of Manchester City and Chelsea in the Swedish striker and Barca in need of some cash, it looks now just matter of time when we see Ibra playing for another club.
The striker started last season with Barca, in immaculate form by scoring record six goals in first six matches with Spanish giants. But as the season progressed, it came out that Ibra’s flair no more fitted in the style of football Barca enjoys. He ended the season with 20 goals in 41 matches and his best performance was against Arsenal in an away match in the Champions league quarter finals, where he bagged two important away goals. Other than that the striker failed to impress his coach and when the season approached the end, he even lost his position in the starting eleven of Pep Guardiola’s side. For any player of the calibre of Ibra, this meant sheer frustration. His lethargic attitude and frustrated attempts at the goal were clear manifestation of his failed season with Barca in terms of match winning performances. With the signing of David Villa, one thing is sure, whether he leaves the club or stays, he has already lost his position in the starting eleven of Catalans. His agent Mino Raiola also seems frustrated as he told Spanish radio station that “Guardiola should go to a mental hospital" if he doesn't start the Swede.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent has further raised questions over his client's future at Barcelona and maintained that English football would interest the Swedish striker. As a press representative of Ibra, his agent also hinted that the striker will be leaving the club in near future. But with amount of money spent to bring him at Nou Camp, it looks like he might be give one more chance to prove his worth next season. Although most people will agree that he must be kept by Barca for the next season, we should hope that he leaves before it’s too late for Barca to cash him.
With Pedro just starting to send the ball in nets, Messi at highest point of his career and David Villa pretty much already settled in Barca style of play, it seems Ibra will get too little a chance to take something out of the bag for the fans. Further more Iniesta is back from injury and with speculation of Fabregas also joining Barca next season, Barca will have too much players to score goals next season. Although Ibra’s lethargic attitude on-field and in-consistent scoring records are enough to let him go, but most importantly the player value will be reduced further if he fails in back to back season. So in the greater interest of Barca, if the player has already lost hope in his future with Catalans, he must be transferred to another club soon enough to get enough cash to overcome huge amounts spend on David Villa and possibly on Fabregas. His future with Barca is further dimmed by the comments of his agent and it looks he will be joining EPL soon.
Raiola also fuelled talk of a move to England, saying: "Ibrahimovic has never thought that Barca will be his last club, he is like Mourinho, and if you can win everything with Barca you need a new challenge.
"English football may be of interest, because it would be a great test. Everything depends on the club."
In wake of recent performances of various clubs in EPL, Ibra must decide about his future soon enough if he wants to play for Big Guns of Football for many years to come.
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