Still, Ronald Koeman confirmed that he was happy with his team and that he accepts the economic reality that the Blaugrana is facing at this time.
Barca have signed only Sergino Dest
As steps for Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay both faltered on deadline day, Barcelona were left in the face of the reality that they signed only one new player in Sergino Dest in all their work in the summer. Still, Ronald Koeman confirmed that he was happy with his team and that he accepts the economic reality that the Blaugrana is facing at this time. In the aftermath of the 8-2 defeat of Bayern Munich in the Champions League, it was clear that the club needed a culture reboot. Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Nelson Semedo, Arturo Vidal, and Arthur Melo were sent out of the club, while very little was done in terms of team change. Ansu Fati is getting better and better all the time. Still, Dest’s arrival had to be supplemented by the return of players like Pedri, Philippe Coutinho, and Francisco Trincao from a loan.
The club have started their season with 2 wins and 1 draw
“I am satisfied with the line-up that we have,” Koeman explained in an interview. We tried to improve it in some areas, and we were successful in some areas and not so in others. It is also part of the club’s financial situation; we have to accept it and learn to work with it”. Los Cules’ start to the season was generally positive, with victories over Villarreal and Celta Vigo, impressing supporters, but a draw with Sevilla brought home some awkward truths for the Dutch coach. “We had three games, against Villarreal and Celta, we were perfect, against Sevilla, the top team that will fight for top positions, the physical wear on us was understandable,” he added. “Playing against Sevilla was not what we wanted.”
“We have to improve, but we also have to admit that we’ve only been working with this new system for five weeks, like any coach you always crave for more time”. Ansu Fati has been the star of Barcelona’s LaLiga campaign so far, establishing himself as one of the team sheet’s first names, but Koeman is eager to see the Spaniard continue to improve. “We are talking about a player who is only 17 years old, he played three matches in a row at the highest level, which means he is outstanding,” he confirmed. “He’s a talent, but he has to learn a lot more, but I think he wants to do that. We are here to help him. I think there is no other player at this age who is in the senior team.”