Returning a year ago to the head of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta wants to make his revolution again at the club. At the time, 14 players left Barca.
We take the same and start again ? Well not for Joan Laporta. Many changes are expected to take place within the Catalan squad this summer to carry out a major overhaul. Widely criticized by supporters, some “veterans” of the club could be forced to leave. The club with five Champions League wants to rely on its young players to shine again.
Change everything to better assert yourself
Barça is having a very special 2021-2022 financial year. Returning to the head of the club in March 2021, after a first stint from 2003 to 2010, the president of the Catalan club has already known three coaches in one year. Joan Laporta first composed with Ronald Koeman, thanked last fall, before bringing back the idol Xavi after a short interim from Sergi Barjuan (three games). The former midfielder now in charge of the team until 2024. And with him, the big change should follow.
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«There are positions that are not doubled and the idea is to have two competitive players per position“explained the Barça coach a few days ago. To do this, there should be a major cleaning within the club says Sport . A year after his return, and now that Xavi is in office, Joan Laporta wants to make his “inevitable revolution» headlines the Catalan daily. “Barça will have to carry out a major restructuring next summer… and build a competitive team to win all the titles».
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The leader of Barça is not at his first attempt. Some time after his arrival in 2003, 14 players had left the club. Eleven had arrived. Figures that could be similar this summer.
10 players on the way out, Lewandowski still desired
FC Barcelona would like to part with a dozen players in the offseason. Neto, Oscar Mingueza, Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet, Alex Balde, Riqui Puig, Memphis and Martin Braithwaite are asked to leave, according to Catalan media. To this long list are also added the players at the end of the contract: Danis Alves and Ousmane Dembélé. Sergi Roberto would have extended by one and would be linked with his training club until 2023. On loan, Adama Traoré and Luuk De Jong should return to their respective clubs.
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To strengthen and return to the fore on the European scene, FC Barcelona should see seven new players in its ranks next season. The arrivals of Franck Kessié and Andreas Christensen, free of any contract next June, are now inevitable. But in addition to these two players, the Catalan club would seek two new reinforcements in defense. On the right, César Azpilicueta ticks all the boxes and holds the rope, but could ultimately stay with Chelsea. On the left, the club retains several names, in particular players playing in La Liga. Finally, Barça would be looking for big names in attack. Raphinha would be the No. 1 candidate to replace Ousmane Dembélé if the Frenchman does not extend. After the failure in the Erling Haaland case, the Catalan club would have set its sights on Robert Lewandowski to lead its attack next season.