Barcelona finished the 2023/24 La Liga campaign a whopping ten points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid, watching on as Los Blancos lifted a record 36th league title.
After steamrolling to the trophy in Xavi Hernandez’s first full season in charge, Barca struggled to mount a serious title defence last term.
Madrid’s dominant trio of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo spearheaded them to La Liga triumph, claiming domestic scalps against Barcelona along the way.
The Catalans took the shocking decision to cut ties with Xavi despite the Spaniard earning plaudits for his work at his boyhood club.
Xavi blooded several youngsters from the infamous La Masia academy and kept the club competitive despite their debilitating financial situation.
However, Barca president Joan Laporta was reportedly unhappy with him for claiming that the team cannot compete for titles due to the state of their finances.
Laporta wanted the manager to be more upbeat about their chances, while the former midfielder was keen on tempering expectations.
Laporta decided to turn the page, hiring former Germany and Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick to replace Xavi.
Flick arrives with a glistening CV, including a sextuple while in charge of Bayern between 2019 and 2021. He was also an assistant coach when Die Mannschaft won the 2014 World Cup.
But Flick’s task is monumental. The 59-year-old must wrest back the La Liga crown from a Madrid team further bolstered by the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, arguably the world’s best player.
Can Barcelona rise above their financial woes and dethrone a seemingly unstoppable Madrid machine?
The 2024/25 La Liga season kicks off soon, with Barcelona looking to topple Madrid.
Culers eager to watch their side reclaim the title can buy Barcelona tickets at seatsnet.com to cheer on the boys from the best seats in the house.
Quality signings are the only way to keep up with Madrid
Barcelona’s only hope of snatching back the crown from this Galactico Madrid team is matching them stride for stride in the transfer market.
La Liga president and bane of Barca’s existence, Javier Tebas, offered the Catalans hope that they have done just about enough to be able to spend ahead of the new season after last summer’s austerity window.
Barcelona were forced to operate under the terms of La Liga’s 1:4 rule, meaning they were allowed to spend €1 for every €4 saved or brought in.
However, Tebas believes the Catalans are returning to normalcy after reducing their wage bill by around €250 million.
“If they resolve some important pending matters, Barca will be able to achieve a 1:1 situation,” the league president said.
Who do Barcelona need to sign?
Barcelona need quality additions to close the gap with Madrid in 2024/25. They must sign a new left winger, a holding midfielder, and possibly a right-back to match their counterparts.
The left wing is a priority for Laporta and sporting director Deco.
While Raphinha and Joao Cancelo did a commendable job on the flank last season, the club is crying out for a specialist to allow the pair to return to their natural positions.
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams has emerged as Barcelona’s top target for the position following a brief dalliance with Liverpool star Luis Diaz.
Barca settled on Williams after his show-stopping performances at the 2024 European Championship, where he formed a terrific relationship with La Masia starlet Lamine Yamal.
Williams and Yamal spearheaded Spain to a record fourth Euro title, dazzling on the wings, and Barca would love to see the pair replicate those showings in Blaugrana colours.
The Bilbao man is coming off a stunning campaign in which he notched eight goals and 19 assists in 37 appearances as the Basque side finished fifth on the La Liga log and clinched the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona need his directness and unpredictability on the left. The 22-year-old and Yamal can carry the club for years.
Williams is also interested in the move to the Spotify Camp Nou, but there are stumbling blocks that can create an impasse.
Firstly, Williams’ €55 million release clause might prove too steep for the five-time Champions League winners. Barcelona’s dilapidating finances mean they will struggle to cough up that sum.
Bilbao are not famous for doing clubs interested in their players any favours. Their players have release clauses in their contracts, and they insist on it when suitors step forward.
Barcelona must formulate a structure that satisfies all parties involved, which might be difficult considering Premier League clubs are waiting in the wings with open chequebooks.
Chelsea have a hole burning in their pocket and are waiting to pounce on Williams, while Arsenal have also shown interest in the Pamplona-born forward. The London pair can complicate matters for Barcelona.
Williams’ wages would also be an issue for Barca. He is reportedly on around €200,000 a week in Bilbao, and any new club will need to improve on that figure.
Barcelona have been grappling to reduce their wages over the past two years, and signing another star on big bucks might not be possible.
However, Williams brings dynamism, flair, and boundless creativity. He can be a mainstay on the left flank, forming a terrifying partnership with Yamal at club level for years.
Barcelona must also continue their search for an heir to the Sergio Busquets throne in midfield. Oriol Romeu came in last summer but lacked the quality to nail down a starting spot.
Romeu can break up attacks and screen the defence, but he lacks that panache the club needs to operate at the top level. His awareness of his surroundings is poor, and he doesn’t care for the ball as well as Busquets did.
Barcelona should be rummaging through the market for another defensive midfielder but have not chosen a target. Bayern star Joshua Kimmich has been linked but would likely be too expensive.
Real Sociedad midfield pair Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are also on their shortlist, but Barca have not made any concrete moves towards signing either.
Barcelona also need a dependable right-back. The club must sign a top-notch right-back that complements Raphinha and Yamal.
Flick reportedly wants Bayer Leverkusen man Jeremie Frimpong, who has a €40 million release clause and contributed 26 goals and assists last season as the Germans won an unprecedented double.
However, after his successful loan spell last season, the club might be tempted to sign Manchester City’s Cancelo permanently.
Plugging the leaks and hoping for cracks
Barcelona’s path to glory is not through replicating Madrid’s Galactico spending spree.
Instead, they must strategically address weaknesses in the squad while hoping their rivals struggle to gel.
Flick’s astute tactical mind is crucial in this mission. He must meticulously analyse his squad, identify the most glaring deficiencies, and target players who will make a telling impact.
By plugging these holes in their squad, Barcelona might have a fighting chance to reclaim the La Liga crown.
