The bulk of Barça fans for so long a time had propagated the idea that a Dembele without injuries and illness would be a raging success. Most always held the view that once Dembele was well over his injury predicaments, the serious business would start.
They willed Dembele to pursue a remarkable football career in Spain over riches elsewhere. They kept faith with him and trusted the process for six years. And yet, culers were spectacularly let down. It turns out the allure of big money, new money, more money was so overpowering for the Frenchman and his agent. And so while now his PSG career comes into being, his Barça one goes to die in Paris.
Dembele has departed for PSG. He’s completed his move by already signing on the dotted line in France. Now, he’s a Parisian jewel not just an injury-prone Barcelona winger. Now he and his agent will get virtually everything they’ve ever desired, a beautiful city, unconditional love and support, and most importantly a money-spinner in Paris Saint Germain. But what do Barça get? Just a paltry sum of 35.4m euros from a private clause and a chance to take a bet on La masia talents. With the unlikely arrival of Bernardo Silva, it’s safe to say Barça’s attack has been enfeebled.
The new La Liga season kicked off last Friday and two days later Barca played a goalless draw away at Getafe. It’s still early days yet. However, in Barça’s goalless draw in Coliseum most culers would have quietly pondered the potency of the team’s attack without the right reinforce all season long. Transfer deadline day is fast approaching. Neymar now belongs to Al Hilal. It will take some doing to bring in Bernardo Silva. Vitor Roque’s arrival is scheduled for next year, almost certainly in January. Abde has potential but still raw. And so who? João Felix?
Or do we simply nurture the idea that by some odd twist of fate Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati will come good this season? The hope is that both Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez would play telling roles in the team’s success story by the season’s end. Both youngsters gave a good account of themselves during pre-season.
And now word keeps spreading of Yamal having a very high ceiling. Some say he will do wonders in future. And it’s not difficult to comprehend why the Barcelona fraternity hold this lad in such high esteem. Look back at the u17 Euros, the goals he scored for Spain, the breathtaking moments of pure footballing wizardry he produced. He is a gem! Nonetheless he is just a 16-year-old who needs all the love and care and patience in the world.
Additionally, Dembele’s departure has paved the way for Raphinha to own that right-wing spot. In truth, Raphinha enjoyed a decent first season at Barca in spite of his initial struggles. Life always gives you a second chance. And so now he has the heaven-sent opportunity to be more influential in the team. If FC Barcelona are to conquer Spain again and dominate Europe, then the Brazilian would have to operate at his peak, changing games and scoring decisive goals.
Will Xavi still prefer fielding four midfielders to having three attackers on the field for the most part of this campaign like he did the season before? Or will the dynamics change? Lewandowski remains Barca’s main source for goals. His 33 goals in all competitions propelled Barca to both La Liga and Supercopa titles. But still the Polish could use a little help upfront, especially in the Champions League.
Balde and Araujo, Christensen and Kounde (BACK), give us the assurance that we need not fear tomorrow. BACK is dependable, and so is Ter Stegen. With talks in advanced stages for Cancelo’s signature, the future of the Barca defence looks bright.
A new season is here, a new season is upon us. And as this campaign gathers pace, Barcelona fans all over the world, even those in the far reaches of the earth, will treasure the good times and despair at the bad ones.
