Barça starts 2025 with a bang and with doubts.

FC Barcelona has kicked off 2025 with a series of impressive results. The Blaugrana are unbeaten so far this year and have secured significant victories over Athletic, Real Madrid and Benfica. However, there are doubts about this team moving forward in different positions.

Barça may have ended 2024 in disappointing fashion, but 2025 have seen them excel as they to challenge for all three trophies this year after already capturing the Spanish Super Cup. Unbeaten in eight matches stretched between four different competitions, it seems that Barça may have found their grove back. Barça gave us an unforgettable commanding 5-2 win over Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa final and an exhilarating come from behind 4-5 victory in Portugal over Benfica in the Champions League. Barça finished second in their Champions League group and will enjoy a bye in the knockout stages.

The attacking duo of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal has been instrumental in Barcelona's recent success. Their synergy and creativity have consistently troubled opposition defenses, contributing crucial goals and assists. Midfielder Pedri is enjoying being the maestro orchestrating play with precision, dictating the tempo and linking defense with attack seamlessly, and it’s great to see the scrappy Gavi back in action. Even Frenkie de Jong has put in some decent performances recently which is a plus for the midfield. Defensively, Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, and Alejandro Balde have formed a formidable backline. Their performances have been pivotal in maintaining the team's defensive stability.

However, not all is well for the Blaugrana as there are lingering questions for Hansi Flick. Despite the positive outcomes, manager Hansi Flick still has a 7-point mountain to climb in the league standings. Furthermore, he has some difficult decisions to make regarding some of the players.

The first issue that Flick must deal with is the goalkeeper dilemma. The choice of the starting goalkeeper remains uncertain, as both Wojciech Szczęsny and Iñaki Peña have exhibited inconsistencies. Flick will have to get it right in who will command the goal the rest of the way.

Another area of concern is the defensive partnership in the center of the back four. After Iñigo Martínez went down with an injury, Flick was able to call up Ronald Araújo to fill in. However, who will Flick select when Martinez, Araújo and Christiansen are all fit to be the ideal partner for Pau Cubarsí in central defense. It is remarkable that the teenager Cubarsi is the sure bet while the other three have their flaws and injury history. Will Flick rotate partners or settle on one of the three to strengthen the backline.

The final concern is what Robert Lewandowski’s role will be during the second half of the season.  The veteran striker’s position in the starting lineup is under scrutiny and he usually disappears in the second half of the season. It doesn’t help that the Blaugrana seem to score more when he is not in the starting lineup. Flick will have to assess whether to continue with Lewandowski as a starter or perhaps utilize him as an impactful substitute, a super sup much akin to Henrik Larsson’s role in the past, and go with Ferran Torres up front or rely on a false 9 as a way to optimize the team's dangerous attack.

As Barcelona battles on all three fronts in the next few months, Flick’s decision about these areas will be essential for sustaining the Blaugrana’s momentum and achieving their objectives. The team's depth and talent provide a solid foundation, However, clarity in these areas will be pivotal for continued success.

Frenkie de Jong – The Barça Grinch

Frenkie de Jong arrived at FC Barcelona with much fanfare in 2019. His signing, after dazzling the footballing world with Ajax, was heralded as the next Barcelona midfield maestro. Yet, just a few years later, the narrative has shifted dramatically. From the next big thing, Frenkie has become a high-paid villain raising the ire of the fans. He has become the Barça Grinch.

• By Ibrahim Ayyub
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Back in 2019, Frenkie de Jong’s potential was undeniable. His performances in midfield for Ajax showcased a superb ability to dictate play, break lines with precision passes and also carry the ball with grace under pressure. Expectations were sky-high for de Jong at the club and international level. When FC Barcelona won his signature, his arrival was viewed as the successor to Barça legend Sergio Busquets where he could become a linchpin for the team’s return to its glory days. As a longtime Barça fan, I was exhilarated that Frenkie was going to play for my beloved Blaugrana.

Action speaks louder than words. Well, Frenkie’s performances on the pitch have been inconsistent in the past few seasons. He has struggled to consistently leave his mark on the pitch, with the occasional moments of brilliance, has failed to resonate with fans who were counting on him to influence games. Ultimately, Frenkie hasn’t delivered enough for a player of his caliber.

The excuse of having played under different managers is valid but weak. The argument has been raised that he is playing out of position but he failed to impress to replace Busquets, during and after the legendary midfielder’s departure. The fact that two youth academy players, 17-year-old Marc Bernal and the now 21-year-old Marc Casado were ahead of him in the pecking order didn’t help matters. Under current manager Hansi Flick, Frenkie is not considered the starter even though he is the current captain of the team.

His return from injury kicked off with a superb cameo performance against Real Madrid alongside Marc Casado. However, that sprinkle of magic was soon forgotten following his dreadful performances that coincided with Barça’s poor performances that saw them concede their spot atop the league standings. As a second half substitute, who came on at the hour mark away to Real Betis, Frenkie conceded a penalty and was dreadful the remainder of the match. The final insult was Barça’s big clash against Atletico Madrid at home prior to the winter break. Frenkie did not start ahead of Marc Casado, and when Hansi Flick subbed off Casado in the 80^th minute in a 1-1; Frenkie remained on the bench while much maligned center back Eric Garcia got the nod. Barça ended up losing the match 1-2 and Frenkie never got on the pitch. In fact, he also didn’t feature in Barça’s prior game against Leganes who are fighting for survival.

Although Frenkie de Jong may still be deemed an important asset for the Oranje, the same can’t be said for his current club. At the moment, he is the Barça Grinch. Fans always look for a scapegoat or a whipping boy, to aim their hatred at, and right now, Frenkie is ahead of the pack of the least popular Barça player. Hopefully, Frenkie de Jong will return to the promise he once held. After all, if the Grinch was able to redeem himself, then maybe, just maybe, Frenkie’s best days with the Blaugrana are yet to come. If not, perhaps he can redeem himself by finding a new club in January.

Barça End 2023 With Inconsistency.

 

2023 is coming to an end and the one word that best describes FC Barcelona during this calendar year would be inconsistent. The highs and lows, on the field and off the field, by the Blaugrana was still rewarding enough to witness the club become league champions again. Will 2024 be any different?

Barça kicked off 2023 with a bang following their impressive success of capturing the Supercopa de España in Saudi Arabia. From that moment, the tide had shifted for Xavi and his players as they enjoyed a memorable second half of the season in La Liga en route to winning their 27^th league crown. Their elimination in the Copa del Rey by Real Madrid did sting but there were high hopes for the upcoming 2023-2024 season.

The summer was full of uncertainty regarding who was coming and leaving the club, players and sporting directors. Eventually, the club did well in the transfer window, but the club’s league form was shaky. After 18 matches, the Blaugrana find themselves in 4^th place, 7 points behind league leaders Real Madrid. However, the club did finally manage to overcome their past struggles of advancing from the Champions League group stages.

2023 can be best described as a yo-yo season or a roller coaster season for the Blaugrana; full of ups and downs. Injuries and some bad coaching decisions by Xavi have played a role in the club’s inconsistency, but interference from the board about who plays, and the manager’s future is not helping either. Certain players not delivering are also to blame for the inconsistency.

Here’s hoping Barça will usher in the new year with vast improvement on and off the pitch for the club. Vitor Roque will be a new face for the Blaugrana faithful, and hopefully they will be patient with the Brazilian starlet as he adjusts to a new club, a new league and a new continent. It all kicks off on January 4^th, 2024, when Barca travel to the Canary Islands to face Las Palmas. We shall see if this will be a start to a beautiful year.

Take care and have a safe New Year celebration and may 2024 brings us lots of happiness, victories and wonderful memories.