5 Barcelona Players of Last 10 Years Who Never Won over the Fans

Amid all of Barcelona's success over the last decade, there have been a few hiccups made by the board and management of the club.

Some players have been brought in who were either never really Barca quality in the first place or just didn't fit in, the type of players who would leave fans scratching their heads or genuinely concerned if their name was on the teamsheet.

These are the players who would have fans believing that their inclusions in the side could be a game-changers and arguably a good enough reasons why the Catalans would end up losing matches—even before they kicked off!

Let's take a look at five players who never really won the fans over during this golden Barca era.

Alexander Hleb

Associated Press

Alexander Hleb never came close to recapturing his Arsenal form.

Alex Hleb joined Barcelona at the beginning of their first treble-winning season, and much was expected of the cultured, left-footed midfielder.

A player who could routinely turn games Arsenal's way with his intoxicating blend of skill, work rate and nous, the expectation for him to do the same in the more technical environment of La Liga was obvious.

But there was an awkwardness to his all-round game in Catalonia that likely authored an eventual total lack of self-confidence. The swagger he possessed when playing for the Gunners had completely eroded.

To his obvious regret, things never really worked out and he was on his way to Stuttgart after just 19 appearances in Blaugrana.

Hleb later noted, relayed by the Guardian:

"

Of course I regret leaving Arsenal. ... 

A footballer only exists when he takes to the field and makes a proper contribution to the team and even though I was part of a Barça squad that was almost unstoppable, it was hard not to feel detached from all the happiness and celebration at the end.

"

Dmytro Chygrynskiy

Associated Press

Dmytro Chygrynskiy was never the consummate central defender Barcelona desired.

Dmytro Chygrynskiy was a €25 million signing from Shakhtar Donetsk who was sent back from whence he came after just one season at a loss of €10 million.

An absolute disaster of a centre-back from the start of his Barcelona career to its finish, he was jeered by his own fans every time he touched the ball.

That sort of treatment is reserved for only the very worst players of any club and is galling for the individual to have to endure to say the least.

The problem began and ended with the fact Chygrynskiy was never Barcelona class.

However, per ESPN FC, Pep Guardiola defended the player at a news conference not long after his transfer:

"

Dima is a fantastic player and the more he gets whistled the more support we will give him because he has many years ahead of him here.

It will cost him more than others [to settle in] because of where he has come from and the price we paid but if anyone is responsible it's me not him.

"

Pep's defence of his defence was admirable but ultimately indefensible.

The writing was on the wall, written large in six-foot high letters: He was not good enough.

Eventually, even Pep had to admit defeat.

Jose Manuel Pinto

Associated Press

Jose Manuel Pinto divided opinion among the Barca faithful.

When it comes to Jose Manuel Pinto, Wahin or whatever he wants to call himself these days, if it’s entertainment you wanted, he provided it by the bucketload! The player even had the cheek to troll his former club's fans via his Twitter page on Friday.

In the seven seasons Pinto was involved with the first team, Barcelona remained largely unscathed by his antics. That was until Victor Valdes suffered a season-ending injury at the back end of 2013/14.

The realisation that the only option available to them at that juncture was to make Pinto, he of the Bruce Grobbelaar-esque forays to faraway places, first choice between the posts suddenly dawned on them.

A real adventure junkie, Pinto seemed to get a thrill from trying to dribble out from his area and beating two or three players along the way.

If it kept the watching public on the edge of their seat, who knows what it must’ve done to his managers?!

Jeremy Mathieu

VI-Images/Getty Images

Despite a reasonable skill set, Jeremy Mathieu has never been popular among Cules.

Frenchman Jeremy Mathieu was onto a loser even before he signed a contract with the Catalans.

He’s too old. He smokes. He can’t get into Valencia’s first team. Therefore, how can he be good enough for Barcelona?

All manner of excuses were made for reasons why Barcelona shouldn’t sign him. However, they conveniently put to one side all the reasons why the club should've signed him.

Over 6'0" tall, a left-footed centre back-cum-left-back, quick over the ground—especially when the last defender—and Experienced.

Considering his profile, it’s a wonder why the fanbase still doesn’t appear to be particular enthused by the player.

Alex Song

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Alex Song never came close to hitting the heights.

The second ex-Arsenal player in the list is one who is more remembered for one of the most embarrassing recent moments in Barca’s history rather than anything that he did on the pitch.

The sight of Alex Song stepping forward to receive the 2012/13 league trophy from Carles Puyol, when the it was intended for Eric Abidal, is cringeworthy.

It’s a shame his football didn’t have the same impact for worldwide media.

Signed from Arsenal for £15 million in August 2012, much was expected of a player who was one of the Gunners’ most solid and consistent performers. Barca knew what they were buying. Or so they thought.

Less midfield general, more wet-behind-the-ears squaddie, Song’s tenure for the Blaugrana has been an unmitigated disaster.

Only in the side if Sergio Busquets was injured, the Cameroon international has never really endeared himself to Cules and has again been loaned out for the season.