After transforming midfielders into makeshift defenders all season long, it is high time for Barcelona to sign a traditional defender who is extremely good at what he does, a defender like Thiago Silva.
Over the years, Barcelona have made a habit of slotting Javier Mascherano in the centre back role. So much has the diminutive Argentine played in that role that he is now considered as a defender by trade rather than a combative midfielder that he was during his Liverpool days. Other players who have recently been put in the centre of defence include Sergio Busquets, Alex Song and former player Eric Abidal.
Making a makeshift defence is something that most clubs do during a season in which the managers are ravaged by injuries and suspensions to players. The case of Barcelona however, is somewhat of an alien nature. During their almost six-year dominance of world football, the residents of Camp Nou relied heavily on Gerard Pique and club legend Carles Puyol.
Though Pique still has many years left on his legs, Puyol is no more able to turn back the clock and is often a regular presence on the treatment table.
This was a trend that was quite apparent during last season as Tito Vilanova mulled at his defensive options. It is time for the club to bring in a natural central defender, one who can aptly partner Pique in defence and makes sure that there are no weak links in the central axis.
In the past few weeks, newspapers all around Europe have heavily talked up Thiago Silva’s move to the Catalan club. Reports claim that the Brazilian international has already agreed personal terms with the Spanish giants and now the only thing needs to be done is convincing Paris Saint-Germain into letting go of their captain.
Brought from AC Milan last summer for 44 million euros, Silva has been the cornerstone of all the good things Les Parisiens achieved last season. At the age of 28, Silva is in the form of his life and there is no denying the fact that he is one of the best defenders in the world at the moment.
Though he has had injury problems in the past, on the flip side, there is a strong case of the player’s performances these past few months. The Brazilian was in fine form during the two-legged encounter against Barcelona in the last four of the Champions League last season and his excellent performances earned him the adulation of European football.
However, that performance was not a one off by any means as the talented defender once again proved his credentials, this time by being nothing less than sensational during Brazil’s 3-0 win over Spain in the final of the Confederations Cup last month. When it comes to performing on the big stage, Silva is definitely the kind of defender Barcelona need.
In a week where Madrid based Marca has been pretty keen to magnify Barcelona’s expensive flops, many people fear that the same fate could await Silva if he joins the club. Moreover, with the club already having spent around 57 million euros for recruiting Neymar, there are still a lot of question marks surrounding the dream arrival of Silva.
Last season, Bayern Munich thoroughly exploited Barca’s defensive frailties by shipping seven goals past Victor Valdes. Before that, this issue was largely unaddressed. Now that it has popped up, many teams will not be running with their tails between their legs when they play Barca knowing that they have a chance as long as they have a weak link in the defence and that is why a no-nonsense, traditional and dominating defender, one like Silva, should be the club’s top priority this summer.
The Catalans have further strengthened on what is already a devastating attacking force by acquiring the services of Neymar. Thiago Silva might be the final piece of the jigsaw for Tito Vilanova’s side and will enhance their chances of capturing the European crown next season.
Making a makeshift defence is something that most clubs do during a season in which the managers are ravaged by injuries and suspensions to players. The case of Barcelona however, is somewhat of an alien nature. During their almost six-year dominance of world football, the residents of Camp Nou relied heavily on Gerard Pique and club legend Carles Puyol.
Though Pique still has many years left on his legs, Puyol is no more able to turn back the clock and is often a regular presence on the treatment table.
This was a trend that was quite apparent during last season as Tito Vilanova mulled at his defensive options. It is time for the club to bring in a natural central defender, one who can aptly partner Pique in defence and makes sure that there are no weak links in the central axis.
In the past few weeks, newspapers all around Europe have heavily talked up Thiago Silva’s move to the Catalan club. Reports claim that the Brazilian international has already agreed personal terms with the Spanish giants and now the only thing needs to be done is convincing Paris Saint-Germain into letting go of their captain.
Brought from AC Milan last summer for 44 million euros, Silva has been the cornerstone of all the good things Les Parisiens achieved last season. At the age of 28, Silva is in the form of his life and there is no denying the fact that he is one of the best defenders in the world at the moment.
Though he has had injury problems in the past, on the flip side, there is a strong case of the player’s performances these past few months. The Brazilian was in fine form during the two-legged encounter against Barcelona in the last four of the Champions League last season and his excellent performances earned him the adulation of European football.
However, that performance was not a one off by any means as the talented defender once again proved his credentials, this time by being nothing less than sensational during Brazil’s 3-0 win over Spain in the final of the Confederations Cup last month. When it comes to performing on the big stage, Silva is definitely the kind of defender Barcelona need.
In a week where Madrid based Marca has been pretty keen to magnify Barcelona’s expensive flops, many people fear that the same fate could await Silva if he joins the club. Moreover, with the club already having spent around 57 million euros for recruiting Neymar, there are still a lot of question marks surrounding the dream arrival of Silva.
Last season, Bayern Munich thoroughly exploited Barca’s defensive frailties by shipping seven goals past Victor Valdes. Before that, this issue was largely unaddressed. Now that it has popped up, many teams will not be running with their tails between their legs when they play Barca knowing that they have a chance as long as they have a weak link in the defence and that is why a no-nonsense, traditional and dominating defender, one like Silva, should be the club’s top priority this summer.
The Catalans have further strengthened on what is already a devastating attacking force by acquiring the services of Neymar. Thiago Silva might be the final piece of the jigsaw for Tito Vilanova’s side and will enhance their chances of capturing the European crown next season.
