Overview Of The New Look Barça

With most of the attention in the Spanish summer transfer market being focused on Real Madrid and their new Galacticos policy, FC Barcelona seem to have done very little signing of their own.

Certainly the speculation was as fervent as always about the players Barça were ‘about to sign’ before the season. Fabregas, Mascherano, Villa, Silva—even Rio Ferdinand got a mention at one point. In the end, of course, none of them signed—this year at least—and the one major signing of the summer turned out to be an enormous surprise.

Zlatan Ibrahimović has been one of Europe’s best known strikers for a few years now, plying his trade at Inter Milan and, before that, Juventus.

A tall, strong striker with a reputation of sometimes being a little disinterested, Ibrahimović didn’t really seem to fit into Pep Guardiola’s profile of a footballer. What was even more controversial, though, was the €20 million that was paid to Inter, along with last season’s top La Liga goalscorer Samuel Eto’o.

It had been obvious for a few months that things were not right between Eto’o and Barcelona and that certain members of the club’s hierarchy would be glad to see him leave—despite all his goals.

So the ‘swap’ deal took place and José Mourinho was able to say the Cameroon international has been the best striker he has ever worked with. Mind you, he did say that about Ibrahimović last season.

The good news for Barcelona has been that the Swedish striker has settled into the club very quickly—scoring goals in each of his first five games. Even more importantly, he has shown a willingness and ability to adapt his game to suit Barcelona’s fast flowing style.

Barcelona’s other summer signings have had a much lower profile.

The most expensive of the remaining new arrivals was the Ukrainian centre back, Dymtro Chygrynskiy, at €25 million from Shakhtar Donetsk, the UEFA Cup winners of 2009.

A strong, athletic and very powerful centre back, with an ability to score goals from set pieces, Chygryskiy is very accomplished on the ball and could prove to be an excellent long-term signing.

It must be daunting to be a Brazilian left back playing In Spain. After all, Roberto Carlos has set the bar at the very highest mark possible.

Barcelona’s new Brazilian is Maxwell, the replacement for Silvinho, who went off to Manchester City after his fine performance in the Champions’ League Final. A player used to winning things—at Ajax and Inter, ironically also two of Ibrahimović’s former sides—he was part of 12 different league and cup successes.

A strong runner with a delightful left foot, who can also play in midfield, Maxwell has been signed to put pressure on Eric Abidal and his presence certainly gives the squad more strength in depth.

Interestingly, all three of the Barcelona new boys have brought a physical presence to the squad. Although Guardiola has encouraged his team to play breathtaking passing football, he clearly felt the need to make sure that if games become a battle, he has enough muscle in his side for them to be able to compete.

To check out the new Barça squad, make sure you order your Barcelona tickets online.