As moves for Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay both faltered on deadline day, Barcelona were left facing the reality that for all their work in the summer, they'd signed just one new player in Sergino Dest, yet Ronald Koeman has confirmed he is happy with his squad and that he accepts the economic reality facing the Blaugrana at this time.
After the calamity that was the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, it was obvious that a cultural reset was needed at the club. Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Nelson Semedo, Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo were all shipped out of the club, whilst very little was done in terms of reshaping the team.
Ansu Fati is getting better and better all the time, however Dest's arrival has had to be supplemented by returning loan players such as Pedri, Philippe Coutinho and Francisco Trincao. "I'm happy with the squad we have," Koeman explained in an interview with Barca TV. We have tried to improve it in some areas, and we were successful at some points and not so in others".
"This is also part of the club's financial situation; we have to accept that and learn to work with it." Los Cules' start to the season has been generally positive, with victories over Villarreal and Celta Vigo impressing supporters, yet the draw with Sevilla brought home some uncomfortable truths for the Dutch coach.
"We have had three games, against Villarreal and Celta we were very good, against Sevilla, a top team who will fight for the top positions, the physical wear on us was clear," he added. "The performance against Sevilla wasn't what we wanted".
"We must improve, but we have to also recognise that we have only been working with this new system for five weeks, like any coach you always crave more time."
Ansu Fati has been the star of Barcelona's LaLiga Santander campaign to this point, establishing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, yet Koeman is eager for the Spaniard to keep improving.
"We're talking about a player who is only 17 years old, he has played three matches in a row at the highest level, which means he is very good," he confirmed. "He is a talent, but he has to learn a lot more but I think he wants to do that. We're here to help him, I think that there isn't any other player in the world at that age who is in the senior team."
VAR-IS-SHIT
474
we may not be economically stable, it is expected, but we do have a good squad... our only problem was the consistency in defence, but as koeman was a defender, i think he will get it sorted too... i believe we have what it takes to win the laliga and cdr, hopefully ucl too... we, atleast me, i don't know about other cules, just want consistency and no dependency on messi to do everything... yes, give the ball to messi, he will at most times will create chances or score/assist, but not when you have other better options... if the players are consistent, they will gradually play better... i have supported my club at its best, now i will supoort it at its new beginning after depressed time too... forca barca 💙❤💙❤
WeareFAMILY
281
Barca vs Juventus is coming😍 2 re builded teams 2 new coaches 2 new strategies But same GOATs😂
ishti
194
You may be happy, but this may be one of the reasons why Messi is not happy.
LosBlancosforever_
126
Barcelona keep improving. Its tough for any club to be in this position. We are rivals not enemies see u in el clasico Hala Madrid