Temi: La Liga, Barcelona, Eric Abidal
Team execs believe that the former footballer is the best man to keep players at bay while also having a role with the board.

The man that has to deal with the players' desires but also respond to what the club can give them is crucial, and Barcelona's execs have taken another step to erase potential mistakes on that matter by appointing former Blaugrana ace Eric Abidal.

Abidal will replace Robert Fernandez as the link between the players and the board. Fernandez's contract expires by the end of the month, and given some problems the team has faced to extend contracts to some of their key players (such as Neymar last season), the club decided to appoint Abidal as the new technical secretary.

Abidal played for Los Blaugranas from 2007 to 2013. He earned popular acclaim after he survived the battle against cancer in 2011, which prompted Carles Puyol to give him the honor of lifting the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League title.

The French footballer is praised by most of Barcelona's footballers and enjoys an excellent relationship with Lionel Messi, which may have been key to give him his new job at Camp Nou Stadium.