An open letter to Messrs. Rosell, Guardiola, & Zubizaretta

Dear gentlemen, 

It is now apparent from our current attrition rates that FCB should focus on reinforcing our defensive line and supplementing our low-center-of-gravity forwards with a more physical presence.  We also need to temporary halt our obsessive pursuit of Cesc. 

As such, I would like to make the following suggestions if FCB is to continue to play on 5 fronts (La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, and both international qualifications and friendlies): 

First, our defense is our Achilles’ heel;  the irreplaceable Puyol is 33 years old and without a viable substitute.  We need to find an heir-apparent and also find a stop-gap with Champions League and/or EPL experience.  This defender should be a pure defender and prone to supporting the attack like our other defenders.  In a previous post, I had praised Christian Cheivo as a versatile defender who can play as LB, CB, and midfield.  At 33, he might be open to a free-transfer from Inter.  Furthermore, we should release Milito and Maxwell or play them as experience members of Team B in the Copa del Rey, as DFM and LB respectively, to guide the younger players.  

Second, our FCB is missing in the big physical forward department;  Larsson and Henry both brought leadership and were instrumental in pushing their way through tall and physical EPL/Champions League level defenders (i.e., a tactic currently being employed by FCB’s ex-interpreter at Real Madrid).  Both Larsson and Henry knew that their careers were waning but knew that they can still add value to the team as “team players” in different roles.  No one can ever forget how Larsson created two beautiful passes to his colleagues to help FCB win the Champions League title in 2006.  Ibrahimovic did not deliver because, like Cristiano Ronaldo, is immature, egoistic and not a team player.  Maybe he can return when he matures and is humbled.  Speaking of mature, what about bringing back Eto’o from exile?  Furthermore, adding a 5th forward will bring more depth to the overworked Messi, Villa, Pedro line on the above mentioned 5 fronts.  Lastly,  FCB does not equal Bojan!  FCB needs to either loan Bojan out to another team to gain experience and ultimately return or release him for his benefit – if we do, we will need to find a suitable replacement from Barcelona B.  We can’t throw money on expensive forwards who don't have a chance to play alongside a healthy Messi, Villa, & Pedro.

Third, the infatuation with Cesc must cease or at least be postponed a few years until it becomes economically feasible to approach Arsenal for their captain’s services or even on a free transfer when Xavi retires in a few years;  this way we can give Thiago a chance to mature with more play time as well as spend less money on hidden gems like Afellay and Ozil.  In addition, any large payments made to Arsenal would signal FCB’s condonation of Arsenal’s free-acquisition of Cesc when he was still a minor and thus welcoming of further Arsenal-like tactics by other clubs.            

In summary, FCB needs to be better prepared for a Barcelona-obsessed Mourinho.  He basically brought the German midfield (the 2nd best in the world after Spain) and incorporated an EPL level defense, knowing full well that the only way to defend against FCB is to play hard and physical (which he have seen when Mourinho was with Chelsea, Inter, and now Madrd).  Rumor is he now wants John Terry...

Thank you and Visca Barcelona!