How Barça’s attack will change next season >> Culé Talk

We were all thrilled when our M-V-P strikeforce (Messi, Villa, Pedro) all scored in our Champions League Final victory last May. Sadly, we may have seen the end of this combination as a regular partnership. The signing of Alexis Sanchez was an indication that that was always likely to happen. David Villa’s serious injury in Japan coupled with Pedro struggling for form this season has accelerated the process.

This reason I am writing this is that I read a report that Robin Van Persie (RVP) was a possible transfer target of Barcelona. Naturally, RVP has also been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester City. I supposed you haven’t really made it as a footballer until you are linked with one or all of these clubs. Personally, I hope RVP stays at Arsenal. Arsenal fans absolutely adore him and world football needs a strong Arsenal. Besides, we already have plenty of talented forwards.

So what are our forward options? Naturally, Lionel Messi is the first choice. In the game against Getafe, the ESPN commentatot described him as the only player who is better in real life than he is on PlayStation. Enough said. Alexis Sanchez will probably be one of Messi’s partners. I must admit I did not know much about Alexis prior to this season but he has proven to be an astute buy. Injuries have restricted him and I was pleased to see him break a recent goal drought with two great efforts against Getafe. He will only get better and could have a great career at Barcelona.

Isaac Cuenca and Christian Tello are the latest potential stars to emerge from La Masia. Tello is probably a more natural goalscorer but Cuenca has also shown promise. This season has been a real struggle for Pedro as he battled injuries and a resultant loss of form. Hopefully, two goals in our last two games are a sign that Pedro is regaining the form of the last two years where he scored so many vital goals. Long term injuries to David Villa and Ibrahim Afellay have caused doubts to be raised as to their long term futures with Barcelona. Villa has been an enigma scoring some great goals but not as many as we had hoped. Afellay’s major contribution was his brilliant assist for Messi’s first goal in the UCL semi final last year.

All the players I have mentioned are quality players. However, I think that at least one, and maybe two, of them will be sold in the summer. It is likely that signings will be made to reinforce our defence. It is also possible that a deal has already be done to bring Neymar to Barcelona in the next few years.

When players are added to the first team squad, other players must be let go. Speaking of signings, is there any chance of Pep finally ending the speculation about his future by agreeing to a contract extension?

By the way, don’t forget to check out Tom’s Read My Mind article ‘Barça 2013: Javi Martinez and Jordi Alba, ahead of Neymar, Bale or Van Persie’ here.

Posted by: Drago , Columnist at ‘Culé Talk’