The longer you stay off the top of the harder it is to return to pre-eminence. Barcelona will be acutely aware of that idea as they begin their quest for honours this season.
They didn’t just fail at home and in Europe last season. The most worrying part of it was that the performance level was way down on what we are used to from Barcelona over the last 6 years.
At their best, they are the scariest, quickest and most penetrative side we have ever seen.
They may never return to quite that level, but they will damn well give it a go! Bringing in Luis Suarez will take them to a different level in attack. When Neymar returns it should be truly beautiful to behold the attacking three. Dare we say that Lionel Messi still isn’t back to his best after injury and we hope that he fully recovers his sharpness rather than beginning a very slow and long decline. Because, at his best, we all know that there is noone like him.
And the problem of replacing Iniesta and Xavi becomes more acute by the year. Iniesta is still only 30 and has at least a couple of years left at the top. But his menacing forward runs with the ball have already slowed slightly. And, at 34, Xavi is not the force he once was. Doubts remain about his future. We were very surprised to see Cesc Fabregas sold but Barcelona will hope that Ivan Raktic will come in and take the baton.
If Barca can add the talents of Juan Cuadrado and Mats Hummels they will be motoring again. We would offer the rather cavalier solution of replacing Dani Alves with Juan Cuadrado who’s more of a winger but could definitely adapt to a role as an adventurous wing back.
Based on those two stellar additions before September this is how we feel Barcelona could line up by the time Luis returns.
Barcelona fans: would this be the dream line up for the coming season?
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen, Alba, Mathieu, Hummels, Cuadrado – Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic – Messi, Suarez, Neymar
douglas
Aug 1, 2014 at 8:59 pm
this will be very fantastic if hummels and cuadrado join Barca
Danjuma yondy
Aug 1, 2014 at 9:17 pm
Infact, we really need Hummels to be parts of the team from now, he is player who can do what we want, we like him.
Kudzie Masasa
Aug 2, 2014 at 7:04 am
Wth ths team mr we will destroy every1 and wth more than 3-0 margins even madrid know that
Abdul
Aug 2, 2014 at 7:27 am
With Cuadrado and Hummels barcelona is a strong club that will compete in any top flight competition or league
Moszaic
Aug 2, 2014 at 8:16 am
We really need both of them ‘Hummel and Cuarcuado’
Ayubajr
Aug 2, 2014 at 9:00 am
Bartomeu buckle up and bring cuadrado and hummels to barca..we really need them.
Woldemariam Ayele
Aug 2, 2014 at 9:00 am
Formation (4-2-3-1)
Alba-Hummels-Pique/Mathieu-Cuarcuado
Busquets
Iniesta
Reus———Messi————-Neymar
Suarez
Aliyu yahaya
Aug 2, 2014 at 9:12 am
Hummels to barcelona
Amir
Aug 2, 2014 at 9:24 am
That would be THE best line up i could say, and having mascherano deloufeu and rafinha as subs we would be scary
kalamullah
Aug 2, 2014 at 10:11 am
That will be great and better to see mats and juan at barcelona.
Abdulhakim
Aug 2, 2014 at 10:34 am
Yes,addition of Hummels and cuadrado will help barca to build a strongest team.
yunus
Aug 2, 2014 at 11:30 am
barca should try & sign hummel & guardado at all cost & d team will need no signings for d next 3 years.
akeem
Aug 2, 2014 at 11:53 am
A perfect team
kingsley
Aug 2, 2014 at 12:31 pm
Hummel and cuadrado the best barc need now
jason
Aug 2, 2014 at 2:17 pm
with hummels n cuadrado d back line z secur
henry
Aug 3, 2014 at 2:59 pm
we need this guy Hummels, cuarcuado Reus…………….plz
olamilekan
Aug 7, 2014 at 6:42 pm
We really need does too players hummels nd cuadrado ! To make team nest season and hv sub,( 4 -3-3) is the best formation 4 the team?