http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=521670&cc=5901

Changes are going to be made. Barca isn’t performing to usual standards (which is being number 1). Oh holy shit, Barca’s trailing Real Madrid in points. Speculation abound Frank Rijkaard is leaving and will be replaced with Jose Mourinho. Ronaldinho on the way out? Barca is underperforming. Heads will roll.

Such is the price elite teams pay when they catch the world’s eye, the press. When the world’s watching you, expectations are surrealistically high. When things are good, it’s because everyone else sucks. When things are bad, it’s because you suck. But oh well, that’s the fiber of professional football now, so we roll with it.

A Football Club is as much about football as it is about business. A club is a business. A club’s business is football. Therefore, football is business. And in business, winning is a must. Winning equals profitability. Profitability means better competition in the off-season to acquire big superstar names. So lets get back to business.

Barca underperforming is bad for business. Although I doubt finishing 2nd is La Liga affects Barca’s fiscus, nonetheless, Barca’s household objective is to place first in everything. I mean everything. This also includes their handball and roller hockey teams. But if a club doesn’t even need the financial stimulus of having advertisements printed on their jerseys, it’s safe to say that the financial condition of the club is in good standing. But with any business that’s in “trouble”, changes need to be made to reassure the audience.

So, sporting director Txiki Beguiristain (former right-winger during the dream team years) announced that changes are going to be made. There will be a comprehensive review of each player and will decide on their future at the Catalan club. I doubt he’ll confer with me personally about my opinion about each individual, but nonetheless I will give my own 2 cents about each player and I hope him or anyone else from the Barca office reads this so I can take up a job being with the club I love.

Goalkeepers:
Victor Valdez – vice-captain and trusty goalkeeper, I think he’s a mainstay between the posts. Barca hadn’t seen a reliable goalie since Zubizaretta grew old and although sometimes this guy is unsure, I think he can get the job done for another couple of seasons. Standing at only 6 feet, he’s a little undersized but has shown some great reflexive skills at times. I think this guy’s is good for another 3 – 5 years as primary choice, but isn’t a bad back-up goalie should a big name arrive.

Defenders:
Carles Puyol – captain and defensive pillar. He stays, no discussion.

Lilian Thuram – getting old and probably wont be gaining a step. World cup experience invaluable but losing function in today’s high speed game. Wouldn’t mind seeing him off the first team roster and take up a defensive coaching job at Barca.

Rafa Marquez – Mexico’s ponytailed pride. Still can be one of the best central defenders of the world but seems shaky at times. After all, the central defence of Barca needs to be a rock since they attack so much from every angle, that the 2 centre backs need to be highly reliable. Like all Mexicans, he works hard, which might earn him safety and security in his job.

Eric Abidal – one of France’s toughest defenders of years before, is always hampered by injuries. He only showed up 15 times in the line-up, hardly justifying his 15 million euro transferfee. In my eyes, he needs to earn his keep before even thinking about transferring out.

Sam Oleguer – the bearded bastard. Versatile and has a beard. He runs on both flanks and has a beard. Doesn’t complain when he’s on the bench because he has a beard. I say keep him because he’s got a beard.

Gianluca Zambrotta – the italian playboy extravaganza. This sleek and stylish casanova can pack up his bags and ride his Ferrari into the sunset for all I care. He’s hardly the hard-working right-back we knew from Juve so put a bow on him and wave goodbye.

Sylvinho – finally getting the starting role after Gio v.Bronckhorst left the Nou Camp to go back home to Rotterdam. Sylvinho is very talented and has an attacking nose, one that is required to be a wing-back at Barca. Since he’s not a big-name Brazilian, Barca should keep him on the payroll because they can afford him. But they certainly wouldn’t miss him should an offer sail along.

Gabriel Milito – kinda reminds me of Gabriel Heinze. Lots of great things written about them, all hype, and no delivery. Supposed to be hard-working but works hard in all the wrong ways. I can’t say that he’s reliable. Shouldn’t have gotten him but since he’s there in a flash decision to buy an emergency defender, he might as well earn his transferfee somehow.

Midfielders
Xavi & Iniesta – don’t even think about it. We need these midgets.

Deco & Edmilson – the best years were seen. Thank you and goodbye.

Yaya Toure – a must keep. Controls the midfield and can link with the attack. Has the Patrick Viera-type size and oversight. Size and strength with a deft touch on the ball. Consistency has yet to be established. Toure could grow with the team and win championships.

Attackers
Ronaldinho – undoubtedly, when Ronnie is in vorm, he can’t be stopped. He possesses so much skill and talent that he can single-handedly change the outcome of the game. What he lacks in pace, he compensates with extreme ball-handling skills and shot-technique. He has become more of a passer than a finisher. His greatest attribute is his unselfishness. Now….
Things have changed. Ronnie’s won it all already. Got World Cup, Champs League, and numerous domestic titles under his belt. Named Fifa World Player of the year. He’s got statues that people worship him on. Nike takes good care of his lifestyle. His wife is hot.
When someone reaches the pinnacle of his career, it’s easy to forget what it was like when someone was noone. All the hard work in training and in the offseason is now replaced by lethargy and partying. After all, no10 is king. When you’re king, it’s below you to run 10 miles every day before practice.
This is Ronaldinho’s problem. He’s gotten too big. He’s changed. He’s simply not hungry anymore. We all know what he’s capable of. But for him, there’s nothing he feels he should be capable for. There’s no other titles for him to win. There are no other major trophy’s to contend for. He’s reached the top. What else is left?
It is sad to say, I rather have him sold to a team with big pockets so Barca can cash in on this situation. To contend for major trophy’s, Barca needs hungry contenders. Guys with things to prove. Guys willing to give life and limb for success. Not guys who have seen the top and are unwilling to climb down and do it all over again. Barca will lose a great player should they let him go. But it would make the most business sense to let him go, to revitalize the team, and to start all over again.

Samuel Eto’o – one of the most feared strikers in the game. Seems like he doesn’t have brakes and his only speed is turbo-fast. Has a lethal touch, although I think lately his touch has been hampered by injuries, since he’s small and fragile compared to the defenders he faces. Nonetheless, he’s of a class of his own, and he needs to be in the line-up week in and week out.

Thierry Henry – think he’s in the twilight of his career? Think again. It’s a new role for him. Instead of being the head-liner for so many years at Arsenal, now he’s nestled in among a team of superstars. This makes him less selfish and more of a teamplayer. He’s not just a great goalscorer. He’s got an innate passing ability and just his presence alone makes others around him better. He should stay on the squad just for his charisma alone. Slowly he can fade into a role player. What better place to retire than the beautiful city of Barcelona?

Eidur Gudjohnsson – see ya later.

Bojan Krkic & Gio dos Santos – exciting youngsters who play like seasoned professionals. These guys have major talent in their hands and Barca would be outright foolish to not keep these guys. The future is in the youth, and Barca’s got the cream of the crop in these two.

Leo Messi – it would be a tough choice to vote for the “best player of the world” when you have guys like Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi. How could you vote one over the other? Messi has greatness not seen since Maradona. Comparisons are quickly drawn between the two. But we all know there is a huge difference. Maradona is and was all about himself. Messi is the humble kid. Any defender fears Messi running at them. Most wingers will pass the ball as soon as they get it. Top caliber players like Messi (and C.Ronaldo) runs the ball right at them, unafraid of failure and supremely confident in their overpowering ability. Not many players have this confidence in their abilities. That’s why these guys are special.

So, there you have it. My two cents and a half. What I was basically getting to is getting rid of the old and retaining the new. Fresh challenges call for fresh faces. And it takes a consistent manager to persist in the challenges, like a Frank Rijkaard.

I’d given it some thought as to who i’d like to see join Barca in the future. What Barca desperately needs the most is defenders of unmatched quality. Top-solid guys who can shut down the best of attackers. Guys that have speed and skill and can thwart any team’s offense on their own. But while on this topic, I’m also listing some others who would also make a perfect complement to the team. Here’s a shortlist of the guys I’d like to see in the majestic blue-and-red outfit.

Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Alex (Chelsea)
Kolo Toure (Arsenal)
Nakamura (Celtic)
Fabregas (Arsenal)
C.Ronaldo (Man Utd)

I wish my dreams would come true…..