Barcelona are excellent in mid-field, uncontrollable in attack and goal keeping is also okay. But the main problem is their shaky defence.
Last season Barcelona exited from the semi-finals of Champions League after losing 7-0 to Bayern Munich on aggregate. They found it hard to beat PSG and could not manage a win. At San Siro they lost to AC Milan 2-0. These results along with the outcome of El Classico highlighted the defensive defect of The Catalans.
They have Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Montoya and Bartra who can play as central defenders. But Barcelona’s captain Puyol is already around 35 and he cannot continue playing the way he did years ago. Pique was once the best defender in the world but these days it seems as he has lost his confidence. Mascherano is not so complete when it comes to his defending. Montoya and Barta are young and still learning.
Coming to wing-backs, Alves is given the permission to go forward to support Messi in scoring goals. When Abidal was at Barcelona, he would stick back with the central defenders when the forwards attacked the opponents. But since the time Alba took over him the scenario has changed. Alba’s talent lies in his attacking. The way he penetrates through the opponents defence is just unbelievable. But with only two weak central defenders at back and a defensive mid-fielder at back, it will always be tough to ask both Alves and Alba to involve in attacks.
Ever since the start of the transfer window in 2013, Barcelona have been looking for a good defender to accompany Pique. Daniel Agger, Thiago Silva, David Luiz were under Barcelona’s radar.
Bids for Silva and Luiz were rejected. But now as the transfer window is approaching it closing stages, Barcelona are rumoured to have made a bid for Liverpool’s Danish defender Daniel Agger. The Catalans are looking to put pressure on Liverpool by making a last minute bid to swoop the Liverpool vice-captain.
This deal might take place but it is still a rumour like many of the transfer news are. Tata Martino indicated his desire to add a well-established defender to his squad later during the January transfer window but it will not be a shock if Barcelona sign Agger before mid-night, after which the transfer window closes.
Agger had publicly rejected Barcelona stating that Liverpool is the club that has given him everything and there was no reason for him to move out of Anfield. Daniel Agger has also etched a tattoo that reads YNWA(You Will Never Walk Alone) on his fingers, which shows his respect for the Merseyside club.