Angel di Maria to Barcelona Makes a lot of Sense – Opinion

A move for Angel di Maria makes a lot of sense after all. Despite his age, ‘El Fideo’ is in a great shape, and he can be a true bargain.

The board and the technical staff are working hard to build a competitive team for next season. Although the financial situation is still difficult, the club looks like they will work with what they have. We have until June 30 to know what decisions will be taken in order to have room in our salary cap: Selling club assets, selling players – all solutions are possible. 

But the position that needs most strengthening is probably the Right-Winger position. With Adama and probably Dembele out, we all know that Xavi will look for new players there. Ferran Torres is a Right-Winger, but so far didn’t do so well there under Xavi. However, I see him play there more next season.

Before the end of the season, Raphinha from leeds was one of the options that the club wanted to bring. However, with Leeds staying at the EPL, it looks like the price to sign him would be too expensive for the club.

The Option of Di Maria

Yesterday, the rumors about Angel di Maria to Barcelona started to gain force. Personally, my first reaction was “Oh no” because I don’t like him for years, as a former Real Madrid and PSG player. It’s natural.

However, even I can admit that he’s a good player, and bringing him for free is a classic “Low risk High reward” operation. Like with Aubemeyang. So once again, if it makes sense to Xavi, it makes sense to me.

Another aging player?

I hear that a lot. Lewa, Di Maria, Azpi, Marco Alonso : Are all players older than 30. With Busi, Alba and Pique still around – do we need more aging players in our squad?

Well, for me age is only a number. Lewandowski, despite his age, is still very much in his prime. With 50 goals this season, you can’t say he’s not doing well. Same goes for Azpilicueta, captain of last season’s UCL champions. 

As for Di Maria, he’s still doing well. If anything, I think that he’s more complete in recent years then he was before. So bringing him for 1 year doesn’t look like such a bad idea.

And we have to remember another thing: We have a very young squad of great U23 talents. To have class players with experience to help them isn’t a bad idea at all.

Former Madrid player

Generally, I don’t really care about that. Samuel Eto’o and Luis Enrique were also Madrid players once. Same goes for Morata and Marcos Alonso. If I don’t want a player it’s not because of him being a former Madrid player.

And, yeah, I remember that incident in the ‘Remontada‘ that made fans hate him. But Neymar also posted a story making fun of PSG after the game, and afterwards moved to Paris.

There are things you do at the heat of the moment during a game, and I wouldn’t care too much about it.

The Financial Aspect

Bringing Di Maria for 1 year, for free, for a low salary, just makes sense. The club needs to use the little money they have wisely, and it’s better for keep the money for Lewandowski and Koulibaly for example. 

Looking for summer 2023

Let’s say that Di Maria and Ferran will be our right wingers this season. We will still have room for youngsters like Collado. Moreover, we will have La Masia youngsters like Fabio Blanco, Ilias and Lamine Yamal ready to make the jump.

And if we’ll need to bring someone in summer 2023? Just take a look at some of the right wingers with 1 year left on their contract: 

• Mo Salah
• Serge Gnabry
• Riyad Mahrez
• Marco Asensio

Oh, and one Leo Messi…

Moreover, in the summer of 2023 some other names will have 1 year left on their contract: Raphinha, Pulisic, Oyarzabal and others.

Bottom Line

Angel Di Maria to Barcelona will make a lot of sense. With or without the signing of Raphinha.

Marco