FC Barcelona's SuMMer Transfer Targets

FC Barcelona are the in-form team at the moment in Europe. But there are already huge speculation of whether Guardiola would be strengthening his side with new additions in the summer. The insider reports as claimed by Barca dailies suggest that they would be looking to add two more members in the squad. Barcelona based newspapers, Sport and MundoDeprtivo are working round the clock all the available footballers to Nou Camp. Surprisingly even Madrid based media agencies are also interested in it. Here I am trying to make a list of players who has been linked with Barca and their chances of joining the team.

1) Karim Benzema - Ok, now this guy is the hottest property in the footballing circles at this moment. Real Madrid, Barcelona , Manchester United all are behind this Lyon striker. He has publicly stated his wish to move to a bigger club from Lyon, but still it is not clear which one he will pick. But one thing is for sure is that Barcelona are seriously interested in him. Despite the news that Abidal has advised Benzema against joining Barcelona, the club is expected to move for the French international this summer. But with Manchester United and Real Madrid reportedly interested, it is to be seen whether we will be interested in engaging in a price war for a position in which they already have in form Eto and Bojan. The possibility of him moving in is pretty moderate, this again will depend on the interest of other clubs.

2) Cesc Fabregas - Ok, since the time he has left Barca for Arsenal; every Barcelona fan has secretly wished to see him back again. He himself has stated his wish to play at a Barcelona based club in the future. The rumours surrounding him are so intense that Cesc has reportedly avoided coming to Nou Camp for watching matches, as he fears it will lead to unnecessary speculations. Cesc Farbegas could be a handy addition but where is the question. If Henry continues to play at this level; then Iniesta and Xavi would be our permanent midfielder. Then where will you fit Fabregas. If Fabregas arrives, Iniesta will be moved to the front where he is pretty effective. That means Henry will have less playing time, that too with Pedro and Bojan knocking on the door. The chances of him moving back to home appears moderate at this moment.

3) Frank Ribery - Now of all the rumours I like this one the best. At 25 years it is sure that he has some incredible amount of playing time left. But what interests me the most is the variety he will be adding to Barcelona side. He is a naturally gifted winger, with huge burst of pace. He also can play upfront in a 4-3-3 formation which incidently Barca uses. We have seen the effect of Alves on the right. Alves who is a kind of Right winger cum Right back; it may be time for us to have a pure winger on the other side also. Ribery has shown an affection to the club and I have to say that his chances of joining Barca is pretty high. This may be a player we badly need.

4) Philip Lahm - Ok, the interest in him surfaces due to the impact of Dani Alves on the right. Suddenly everyone want a mirror image on the left also. In truth he is not that attack minded as Alves, but he is the closest to Alves available on the left. He is a great palyer and at the age of 25 has probably ten more years left in him. BUt here is the problem in signing him, first of all Abidal has started looking good these days, secondly we had the chance to sign him when he was available for free but we preffered Abidal over him. Everyone wants to sign him as a replacement to Sylvinho. I do want to sign him for that, but with Abidal playing well will Guardiola go for such a step. This could potentially unsettle the dressing room. Hence the chance of him joining Barca I will put as moderate.

5) Kaka - Now fantasies has a huge place in football. Otherwise can you imagine a 100 million price tag for a single player. AC Milan might have screwed up totally with the way they handled the transfer saga. I believe next season Kaka might be at Madrid, but there were reports that FC Barcelona is interested in spoiling Madrid's Kaka dream. The idea of Kaka joining Barcelona sounds good; he could complement Messi on the left well. But I don's see this happening not in the summer nor in the future. So the chance of Kaka moving is absolutely nil.

6) Yoann Gourcuff - Another French player to be linked recently with FC Barcelona. He is a attacking midfielder who is currently on loan to Bordeaux. This is kind of impossible as I expect Kaka to move from Milan next season and the mIlan would have to concentrate on him and Pato more. There are not indications from FC Barcelona also about Gourcuff interest. So for the time being let's put this transfer possibility as nil.

7) David Villa & David Silva - Villa's agent has been recently stating that he will be interested in seeing messi and Villa playing together. FC Barcelona has ridiculed all the rumours related to Villa recently. But onsidering Valencia's financial crisis, there is a chance of Villa moving away from Valencia. Hence there is a good chance of we getting Villa. But the problem here is that we are more interested in Silva than Villa; Villa could struggle here as there is already competition from Eto. Silva could be a handy addition as he can drive the midfield. So the chance of Silva joining Barca is high whereas Villa looks a bit tough.

Firm Step Towards Copa Del Rey Final; FC Barcelona-2, Real Mallorca-0

FC Barcelona took a strong step towards their first Cup final of this season with a 2-0 victory over Real Mallorca at Camp Nou. The performance may not be a scincilating one like our previous performance; but the goals from Henry and Marquez were enough to see off a struggling Real Mallorca side in this first leg. The second leg will be held on March 4. Two seasons ago we won the first leg against Getafe 5-2, with that wonder goal from Messi; but in the return leg we lost 4-0 and was eventually knocked out. So the semi-final is not yet over and FC Barcelona players should be reminded of that. They did seemed a bit complacent in the match but could be excused as these weeks are too much packed. I expected GUardiola to rest Henry and Alves for this match, as I mentioned in the preview - FC Barcelona vs Mallorca Preview but he had different plans. He chose to rest Messi instead of Henry. Alves, Marquez, Pique and Sylvinho formed the defense ahead of Pinto. GUdjohnsen, Iniesta and Toure formed the midfield. Henry, Bojan and Hleb formed the front trio.

As expected Mallorca went in for a very defensive 4-5-1 formation and it was tough for Barca to braek them down. FC Barcelona did not create much in the first half. But Bojan was making his presence felt in the game. In the 8th minute Bojan set off a Messi like run skipping past two defenders, but his low shot was wonderfully saved by Mallorca goal keeper, Lux with his legs. Then he tested Lux again with another low shot but this time the goal keeper got his hands to it. But the best oppurtunity of the half fell to Iniesta who played the ball to Henry; Henry's clever backheel found Iniesta but Iniesta shot the ball wide of the goal. In the 35th minute Bojan received the ball on the right and send in an excellent cross to the head of Hnery in the middle, who made no mistake. In the second half Iniesta started imposing himself and the quality of the game started to improve. Guardiola took off Henry and brought in Messi. Messi and Iniesta combined well to almost produce a magical moment, but the Argentinian's shot was saved by Lux. Messi had another shot saved by Lux this time with his feet. Bojan mean time has faded away and was becoming less effective at the centre. Then in the 75th minute Marquez sealed off the match with a sublime free kick into the right corner.

The team looked more than complacent in the match. With Caceres destined to play on sunday, why didn't Guardiola chose him puzzles me. Iniesta did show positive signs of getting back to his best and that is so important for the team. For sunday's match I expect both Xavi and Iniesta to start in the midfield. Toure was below his standard throughout the match. Bojan played well in the first half and faded away when moved to the centre of a 4-3-3 formation. He looks more comfortable in the second striker role. Hleb had another dissappointing outing.

FC Barcelona vs Real Mallorca Preview

For the last two season, FC Barcelona's journey towards the Copa Del rey were halted at the semi-final stage, first by Getafe and then by Valencia last season. This time around FC Barcelona would be looking to better their dubious record of the last two season and take a firm step towards the final. In order to do that Barca has to take atleast a two goal advantage from the Home leg of semifinal clash against Mallorca tonight. Real Mallorca had struggled this season and lies in the bottom end of the league table. But that doesn't give us any comfort as we have struggled this season against teams which lies at the bottom of the table. More over we did struggle a bit when this two sides met wach other ealrier this season - Late goals from Iniesta and Toure sees off Mallorca. There were big confusion whether Marquez and Pique will be available for tonight's match, after their expulsion in last Sunday's match. Since both of them were sent off after receiving two yellow cards, they have to serve the ban in the next League match - which is against Sporting Gijon on Sunday. But Xavi has been ruled off from the tie with Gastroentitis. Barca will not be with their two infulential Captains - Xavi and Puyol for tonight's match.

Guardiola has not yet picked his squad. But Henry and Eto both would be expected to be rested. Pinto should be chose once again ahead of Jorquerra to guard the goal. I would like to see Alves being rested as I believe too much playing time will harm him. Victor Sanchez, Caceres, Marquez and Sylvinho should form the defense. If Alves is rested for tonight's match he would get a two match rest as he would be suspended for the Gijon encounter after receiving the fifth yellow of this season. The midfield should be made up of Iniesta, Gudjonsen and Toure. It is essential for Iniesta to start at the left rather than replacing Xavi on the right. Iniesta looks more comfortable and dangerous from the left. Messi, Bojan and Hleb should form the front three. I wopuld love to see Hleb having a good game and Bojan building on his last outing against Espanyol. I expect FC Barcelona to win this encounter comfortably with a score line of 3-0. Mallorca would be without their goalkeeper Dudu Aouate and defender David Navarro for tonight's encounter.