Christmas Shopping: Who Should Barcelona Buy?

 Barcelona's winter wish list...

There has not been a time in Barcelona’s history (nor will there likely ever be again) that has been as good as times are now. Winning an unprecedented six consecutive titles during the course of one year (Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercup, European Supercup, and the Club World Cup), it is hard to imagine Barcelona getting any better than they already are.

With just a few summer changes to the team—the exits of Samuel Eto’o, Eidur Gudjohnson, Jorquera, Sylvinho, Martin Caceres (loan), Aliaksandr Hleb (loan), Victor Sanchez (loan), Henrique (loan), and Keirrison (signed during the summer and subsequently loaned out) and the additions of Dmytro Chygrynskiy, Maxwell, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as well as Pedro Rodriguez and Jeffren Suarez promoted from the youth ranks—Barcelona have kept the core of their championship squad together and as is wont, the trophies continue to roll in. Coach Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola has seen his side succeed to such an extent, he would be hard-pressed to fix something that isn’t broken.

Currently in first place in La Liga, having finished (albeit with some difficulty) tops in their Champions League group, still alive in the Copa del Rey, and having already taken home three trophies in their current season (all the while exhibiting attractive football), Barcelona stand tall and confident as the best club in the world football.

Goalkeeper

While Victor Valdes may make be subject to an embarrassing gaffe every so often, he still manages to come up with some very impressive saves, especially in one-on-one situations. Barca were looking at strengthening the position over the summer with the possible signing of Sergio Asenjo (now at Atletico de Madrid), but instead opted to both live and die by the sword of Victor Valdes’ gloves, renewing the Catalan keeper’s contract. Backup keeper Jose Manuel Pinto is an adept player and had a very solid performance in the Copa del Rey last season, although is a little clumsy with the ball at his feet.  No changes are anticipated in the January transfer window.

Defence

With a back line featuring Dani Alves (arguably the best right-back in the world), Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique (the starting central defenders on the number-one-rated Spanish national squad) and Eric Abidal, the Barcelona back line is one of the most secure in European football and, considering the defensive pressure Guardiola demands out of his forwards, are rarely put under a great deal of pressure. With Rafa Marquez and summer signings Maxwell and Chygrynskiy, Barca have ample reinforcements. Gabi Milito, who has spent much of the past two years out injured, is finally healthy and, in effect, constitutes Barca’s ‘winter signing’. Before his injury, the Argentine was a regular for the Argentinean national team.

Midfield

With a team so dependent upon the multitude of passes through the midfield, it seems very unlikely that coach Pep Guardiola will look to bring a player in from the outside. Both Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure will be out for much of January serving their respective countries (Mali and Ivory Coast, respectively) at the African Cup of Nations, but Sergi Busquets should see more in terms of minutes as conductors Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez direct the midfield. During the absences of the two Africans, Lionel Messi may also drop back into the midfield and Rafa Marquez may also come up from his role in central defence to contribute to the defensive midfield, a position at which he is amply experienced.  While Barca may risk being shorthanded should one of their midfielders pick up an injury, it is unlikely that they will make any midfield signings until next summer, when they will reportedly make a push for either Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, or both.

Attack

The forward position is where there has been the most transfer speculation during the first half of the season. While Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi are undisputed starters at the centre and right forward positions, Thierry Henry has been less than convincing on the left side. Barcelona’s youth ranks continue to produce exceptional players as Pedro ‘Pedrito’ Rodriguez has burst into the first team in historic fashion, becoming the first player in history to score in six competitions during a season and has delivered crucial goals for his side that have won at least two titles (European Supercup and the Club World Cup). After having a breakout season last year, Bojan Krkic looks a bit displeased with the number of minutes he has been receiving this year, but it looks as if the young Serbian-Spaniard will not seek to leave the Catalunyan capital. Young Jeffren Suarez has recently made a case for the left-attacking position, but it is possible that Barca will look to the January transfer window to reinforce the position; the question remains with whom.

Former Real Madrid player and Manchester City star Robinho has been one option linked to a move to Barca, but rumours of the outspoken Brazilian’s transfer have since been rubbished after club president Joan Laporta’s negotiations in Abu Dhabi to have the player come on a loan (without an option to buy) fell flat. Another player who has expressed his interest in joining the Catalans and has thus been linked to the club is Ajax winger Luis Suarez.  The 22-year old Uruguayan has made it clear that he will finish the season with his Dutch club, but if Barca were to make a January offer, Ajax would reportedly seriously consider letting the captain take his leave. Barca could probably get away without making a winter purchase as Henry, Pedro, and Jeffren are more than capable of lasting the rest of the season, but if Suarez were to come cheaply, Guardiola may find a transfer to his liking.