Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona assignments in preseason – La Liga debate (Part 2)
Guardiola needs to reinforce his squad for a fresh assault on La Liga and UEFA Champions League. The core of his squad is still intact but fringe players are heading out. With Bojan part of AS Roma’s setup and Jefferen moving out, new names must be added
to the first team roster.
With Real Madrid improving their Galactic squad, the need for quality recruits is a top priority. Defensive additions are a must alongside attacking improvements. The Blaugrana are short on quality individuals at the back, left-back position being of prime
importance as Eric Abidal regularly shifts to the centre.
The 40-year-old Spanish manager likes to work with a small squad with the bench usually filled with upcoming players from the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Villa-c10629, attacking numbers need a boost. The Blaugrana have
brought in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexis-Sánchez-c4979 as a backup for Villa but he needs to be incorporated into the first team.
Sanchez’s moved to Camp Nou after Chile’s involvement in Copa http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/America-c38390 came to an end. The winger is comfortable anywhere at the front but prefers playing behind a central striker. His signature came at an exorbitant cost of 37.5 million Euros. Guardiola
talked to the directors in acquiring him, but adding another jaded player at an inflated price is a big risk.
The paper-thin defence needs additions. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Palmeiras-c40165, defenders are short in number at
Camp Nou. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Pique as the only recognized central stoppers. Eric Abidal filled in for Puyol but that leaves the left-back position extremely vulnerable.
On the left wing, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adriano-c3773 were brought in to replace the ageing Frenchman but they have turned in inconsistent performances so far. Abidal is now 32 years old and his best years are behind him. Barcelona need a replacement and Guardiola will
be well aware of his deficiencies.
The 40-year-old manager knows that his squad needs greater motivation to succeed as they embark on another quest for silverware. Guardiola won an unprecedented six trophies in his first year in charge, which was followed by league glory. A healthy achievement
but more is asked of the best team in the world. His charges won La Liga and the Champions League rather comfortably and the gaffer would be looking to maintaining the same enthusiasm.
Football is a dynamic game where circumstances change every now and then. The current generation of managers are well aware of the facts; they cannot sit-back and live on their achievements. One has to go out there and prove oneself, again and again. Guardiola
has been indoctrinated with this approach and he has a long summer in front of him to prepare for a gruelling year.
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