Dear Luis,
It is with great hope we welcome you back to Barcelona. These are
testing times for our club with our golden generation slowly fading and
the team in the midst of a major overhaul. Last season we ended
trophyless - a first after many seasons and for an ambitious club like
ours, it does not make for good reading. We are in need of a true
Captain who can steady the ship and bring us back to our glory days.
And in you Mister, we have placed all our hopes. I sincerely hope you
will not let us down.
Despite your spell (as a player) at Real Madrid, we would like to
believe that you are one of our own. You have, as a player, been a
part of successful Barcelona teams and identify with our way of
playing. Unlike other clubs, we require one of our own sons to lead us
because we adhere to our rich philosophy which has brought us immense
success over the past decade. You are not completely new to the
managerial position either, having led the Barcelona B team for three
years.
Your qualities as a manager were never in doubt, especially among us,
having led our B team to their best-ever finish in the 2009/10 season.
We know you are a hard-working coach who leaves no page unturned
and expects the same from the players. Your spell at Roma may have
been unsuccessful but not everybody can fully understand your vision and
your methods.
Given the right players, you have shown that you can achieve fantastic
results while playing an attractive brand of football. It was evident from
Celta Vigo’s impressive season last year. We just hope you can handle
the pressure of taking charge of one of the most demanding clubs in the
World.
Much has been said about the one-dimensional nature of our play. It
has been a major problem for us in the past few seasons. Martino tried
to fix that but in the process he made the team lose its identity. A proper
synchronization of styles is a desparate need at our club. We want an
alternative way of playing but without losing our core values. We are
not in need of a revolution but an evolution in our style.
Our defence too needs some major reinforcements which has been the
case for quite a while now. The impending signature of Mathieu from
Valencia is a step in the right direction but we also need a world-class
centre-back in the mould of Mats Hummels or Thiago Silva to lead
our defensive line. A marquee signing in the centre-back position would
go a long way in relieving our anxiety.
The attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez is an exciting
prospect heading into the new season. However, making the three of
them play together is going to be a major task for you. As was evident
last season, Neymar and Messi could not play their best while playing
together. It was no coincidence that Neymar’s best spell came when
Messi was out injured.
Messi is another major source of concern. Despite his exploits in front
of goal, it looked like the injuries were starting to take a toll on Messi
and he looked jaded. It was also quite concerning for us as he went
missing in some crucial matches when we needed his magic to see us
through. It is going to be crucial that you take care of our famed
forward line and turn them into a potent attacking force.
Like one of your illustrious predecessors Pep Guardiola, you too have
come up the ranks after having taken charge of our B team. It is also
well known that you are always open to giving the youngsters a chance
to shine. The fact that inspite of signing Ter Stegen and Claudio
Bravo, you have said that Barcelona B team goalkeeper Jordi Masip
has as much a chance of playing speaks volumes of your readiness to
give the youth a chance.
We have an exciting line of youngsters in Gerard Deulofeu, Jean
Marie Dongou, Rafinha and Alen Halilovic, waiting to step up to the
limelight. It is my sincere hope that you make the best use of them and
make sure that we do not have witness another Thiago-like incident.
Barcelona’s image has taken some beating over the past few seasons.
The Neymar transfer saga and the resulting transfer ban (removed now)
have seen Barcelona be in the news for all the wrong reasons. And to
top it, we have signed Suarez. He may be one of the World’s best
players but he has penchant for courting controversy. You can take a leaf
from Brendan Rodger’s book and handle him with the special care he
needs.
There have also been some accusations that we have treated stalwarts
like Abidal with disrespect. What has been done cannot be undone but
we can learn from such mistakes. We expect you to treat Xavi’s case
with special care. He has rightly earned his elevated status at our club
and although he may not be the Xavi of old, his decision, whatever it
may be, should be treated with respect. Even if he cannot play week in
week out, the youngsters could learn a lot from playing alongside a
legend like him.
Losing the League title to Atletico at Camp Nou and then seeing Real
Madrid lift La Decima was a cruel sight for all of us. A season which
promised much ended with us being empty-handed. We simply cannot
have another season like that. I know that we are putting you under
enormous pressure but you must have been well aware of it before
taking up the job. You were magnificent as a player for our club and
you know what it feels like to play for the scarlet and blue of the
Blaugrana.
We are sure that you will be a success for us. There might be bumps
on the road but do not worry, we will help smoothen the journey for
you. As we head into the new season, we wish you have a great time
leading our beloved club and we hope to see you at the end of the
season celebrating our team’s success. For Barcelona, as is rightly said,
are more than a club. Visca el Barca!

I am not comfortable with d pairing of Hummels nd Pique in d centre of our defence.We will concede lots of goals especially on d counter.I will prefer we go for Benatia of Roma or evn Marquinhos of Psg.
I will also like to see Mascherano back as a dmf.

I doubt our defence....We need someone like pogba alongside iniesta and d rest

Barcelona have completed the signing of valencia defender jeremy
mathieu for €20m. The 30yrs old will sign a 4yrs deal with an option of
one more yr