FC Barcelona medical team has confimred that Carles Puyol, the Barca Captain will be missing this Summer's Euro 2012 due to a knee injury. Our Captain Caveman will most probably have to undergo surgery when his national team colleagues will be trying to defend their title in Ukraine and Poland. The absence of Puyol from the squad will be a huge blow to Del Bosque's teams chance of successfully defending their title. Already leading betting agency has increased Germany's odds following Puyol's injury report. Betfair's Euro 2012 Betting odd have Spain still in number one position with a 3.82/1 odd but Germany at 4.33/1 represent looks like a real force especially after Puyol's injury. If David Villa is not declared fit and misses from the squad, Spain will have a huge deficit in experience and skill in two of the most important areas. If the injury was to a midfielder, Del Bosque wouldn't have cared much; but defense and attack(especially with Torres form) is a bit stretched at the moment. Even though Puyol's injury is a disappointment, Barcelona fans won't mind much. They would like to see their Captain coming back from injury after getting enough time to recover next season than make his situation worse in Poland and Ukraine.
As a matter of fact, I would have also loved to see Xavi being rested from the squad. He has been struggling with his injury in recent matches and would definitely love a small break. Del Bosque would have to re-shuffle his pack to accomadate for Puyol's absence. The straight forward option is to move Ramos into the middle and have Arbeloa as the Right back. Since this is the way Real Madrid lines up, people will consider this as safe. but it's more tricky than it looks. Ramos partnering Pique, who is definitely having not a great season has every chance of turning into a disaster in some crucial matches. The other option is to have Alberto Botia in the middle of defense, but considering his experience that also will be risky. We most probably will see the Alba, Pique, Ramos and Arbeloa defense lining up, but Javi Martinez offers a very interesting option for the Spanish Coach. Martinez have been playing as a centre back in recent matches for Atletic Bilbao. But like all the midfielders who are converted into emergency centre back's he has a penchant of rushing into challenges and exposing the defense, can't blame him for that. None the less he offers Del Bosque another option to depend on.
Meanwhile the transfer rumour mills have all started their work since the end of season is so near. Goal.com reports of a MundoDeportivo story which links Barca to Javi Martinez. The report says that Barca is preferring him over Thiago Silva, eventhough his 30 million buyout is a big road block. This is one rumour which excites me. Javi Martinez is a real good buy as he could provide cover for the defense but also could be a crucial option as a holding midfielder. We at this moment have no cover for Busquets and if Keita move out as rumoured this summer, we will be left with no proper cover. The combination of Mascherano, Martinez and Busquets will give us a hell off an option in both defensive midfielder cum centre-back roles, also should help us to implement the three man defense with more perfection. Also a double pivot of Busquets and Martinez is not a bad option and Del Bosque also should try the same this Euro 2012. Then there are the usual rumours of linking Drogba, Llorente etc to the club, but if Martinez deal go through then we may not have much money for any other transfer other than Jordi Alba, which looks liek a must.
All About FC Barcelona
AllAboutFCBarcelona.com is a Blog dedicated to the Most prestigous Club in the world, FC Barcelona by an ardent fan. Here I discuss about the Latest happening surrounding our Club and present my Views about the same.
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