



More of the same!

Marc Cardona, Marc Fernández, Cristo González, Davinson Sánchez, Jesús Alfaro, Ignacio Abeledo, and Zalazar are some of many names that were linked to FC Barcelona in the transfer market this season. Some of the mentioned already joined the club, yet barely talked about.





The reason is obvious: That's the Bteam business, not for the first team. Yet, there is a very intriguing possibility that the project reformed under the surface will define the direction of the first team structuring for the coming future.





Let's make it clear first that this is not based on inside information of any kind, but more a mix of critical observation, admittedly, sugarcoated by optimist wishful thinking. Eventually, time will tell. As always.





It all started with the restructuring of La Masia pyramid about six months ago. Based on the new structure, Barca B is no more considered as a part of La Masia, but more as a reserve team clinched to La Masia from one side to bridge it toward the first team from the other side.





This is far from being just a new decoration. Connecting the dots with everything that happened since then, it seems like Barca B will be more a team that will prepare players for the first team, not a team that will prepare - only- La Masia players for the first team the way both the previous boards (Mainly Laporta's) and the fans always promoted it to be.





In that context, the rumor suggesting that FC Barcelona is willing to pay over 10 M to activate Theo Hernandez's (Atletico B player) release clause does not sound as astonishing as it initially did. It works in line with such strategy, and in many ways it seems to be the best approach to take.





Transfer market is already crazier than it was last year, and it will be crazier next year, etc... etc... Taking in consideration the stadium project, the economic challenges in Spain, the increasing gap between the commercial value of La Liga and the EPL, the FFP rules, and the increasing salaries weight on the club's budget, it is very uncertain to predict how Long FC Barcelona will be able to stay as competitive in the transfer market with the EPL clubs and the sugar daddy clubs of the world. Barca will always be able to sign good players, but will it be able to sigh The Player?





If I were FC Barcelona's board, I would make Barca B promotion to segunda the main priority of next season. And judging by the way things are going since the last rejuvenation, it seems like that is exactly what they are focused on.





From there on, it seems smarter to invest 50M every year to get players for the B team than investing it in the first team. Thats an extreme we will not get to, but just to shed a strong light on the case, 50M can buy you an average of three of the best young talents worldwide every year, the kind of youth willing to start at the BTeam. If the club does so, added to the players promoted from La Masia, the club will have a very healthy mine of talents to integrate gradually into the first team, loan out, or sell to add on the transfer budget.





And it is even less risky. Instead of paying 75M to get a world class player (if thats enough anymore) and pay a zillion as a salary for a first adaptation year hoping things go well from there, buy a bunch of the soon to become worldclass and let them adapt and develop for couple of years, sell some, keep some. Done.





FC Barcelona has the best center back in the world, the best holding midfielder, the best midfielder, and the -by far- the best offense line, added to the Mascheranoes, Albas, Rakitic, and co who are not exactly the type to complain about. Stop wasting the 18M and 25M on shortsighted transfers that can only back the quality existing without any added value for the future. This team is amazing, but this team is aging. We can afford three years of gradual transition right now, but it will be too late if we wait.





You can always check latest rants on @FootballMood







