Thursday, 21 July 2022
Defense is Barcelona’s Focus At The Moment
By db-admin
DBasia.news – In the 2022 summer transfer market, FC Barcelona immediately came into the spotlight after successfully recruiting Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski.
They followed the arrival of Pablo Torre from Racing Santander who came first. Lewandowski, 33, was in the spotlight and Barca signed him for 50 million euros, having previously spent 65 million euros for Raphinha.
After the five transfers, Barcelona’s priority is on the defense side and that was explained by Barcelona president, Joan Laporta. The three defenders who have been linked with Barcelona recently are Jules Kunde (Sevilla) and two Chelsea defenders, Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta.
“We want to make a competitive team, give Xavi the tools to have a good team and I think we are on the right track,” Laporta said in an interview with former Barcelona striker and manager Hristo Stoichkov, quoted by Marca. “My dream is for Barca to be the reference of the world again and we are working for that. If the economy doesn’t recover, it will be challenging.”
“We achieved it, but we have to work even harder. Football doesn’t wait. We have to do it now. With (a contract extension for Ousmane) Dembele, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Kessie, Auba (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang), Ferran (Torres),” Stoichkov added.
“I think (Director of Football) Mateu Alemany and (Sports Adviser) Jordi Cruyff are doing a good job. Now it’s time to work on defense. Xavi made us focus on a series of players and I hope the Catalan team can be happier,” Laporta hoped.
Barcelona’s defense does need additional energy despite having brought in Christensen as Dani Alves, Clement Lenglet, Moussa Wague and Gorica have left, while Samuel Umtiti and Oscar Mingueza are on the selling list.