So Antoine Griezmann finally completed his dream move to Barcelona from Atletico Madrid after the Spanish champions paid his release clause of a protracted and controversial fee of around £110million – a clause which came to fore on July 1 – much to Atletico’s dismay, who claim that the French forward agreed a deal with Barcelona two months ago. President Josep Bartomeu has since rejected Atletico’s claims.
A year on since his comical La Decision video stating his desire to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano, Griezmann announced his desire to seek pastures new in May despite having signed a five-year contract extension last year. There had been much speculation regarding the fact that many of the Barcelona camp would not be happy with the idea of Griezmann joining the club. However, on the evidence of a few Preseason training sessions, Griezmann seems to be settling in nicely:
Placing all the controversy and the uncertainty of the deal to one side for a moment, the signing of Antoine Griezmann is a pretty smart piece of business. Certainly in the modern world, Griezmann’s rejection last summer meant Barcelona wouldn’t dare approach him again, but right now the club had to put their pride aside. Signing a player who has arguably been one of the three best players in La Liga over the past few years was a must, and certainly after the failures in Europe last season.
On a personal level, this may be the right move for the Frenchman. When he signed on that dotted line last season for his former club, it was like stepping into a much better and brighter future for Simeone’s side. It was supposed to be the year Atletico Madrid put in a major assualt on the La Liga title and built on their Europa League success the previous year. It just wasn’t to be despite their late push domestically – proving all to late – and a disappointing second leg capitulation at the hands of Juventus after they led 2-0 from the first. It was maybe at that point, Griezmann knew his fruitful time in Madrid was coming to an end. What’s surprising though, is that Antoine Griezmann has never lifted the La Liga trophy, and he’s only one three major trophies during his time there. For a player of his pedigree, and a player who is harbouring ambitions of becoming a Ballon D’or winner, those honours just aren’t enough. A move to Barcelona may just be what Griezmann needs, his final chance to win La Liga and even the chance to help the Blaugrana finally lift the Champions League trophy – one that has eluded Messi and co since their 2015 victory over Juventus.
Whether the signing of Griezmann is a sign of desperation as a result of their failures in Europe, it may well seem to be a very smart addition. But it still leaves a lot of questions for Ernesto Valverde heading into the new season. Now that they have their man, will they still go in for Neymar? The Brazilian has made his intentions clear that he wants leave the Parc des Princes this summer. According to Sky Sources, Barcelona have made their first move to sign him back offering a fee of around £90million + any of the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitic, Ousmane Dembele or Philippe Coutinho as part of any potential deal.
If the deal does go ahead then Barcelona could find themselves with a formidable front line next season which could consist of Antoine Griezmann, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
However, there could be long-term problems surrounding the kind of direction the club may be heading towards. Signing players such as Frenkie De Jong as early as January, represented a shift in strategy for the club, a strategy truly focused and driven towards the future of the club and a direction that clearly leads back to its ‘Total Football’ roots.
The signing of Neymar, as well as Antoine Griezmann, as appealing and attractive as it is, may not be the way to go. Firstly, the massive egos within the dressing room may just become too overwhelming for Valverde, a manager who has dealt with it successfully so far but the addition of Neymar who’s commitment and dedication has been questioned numerously over the years will not look good for the powers that be. Secondly, how would the fans feel? The way in which the player left the club two years ago still leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of some of the Barcelona faithful, will they be so forgiving in taking him back? Thirdly, Neymar’s addition may just bring plans to improving and re-structuring their La Masia academy to a halt, gone are the days of Barcelona successfully ingraining youth products into the first team like they once did with the likes of Pique, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro – who is now at Chelsea – and of course Lionel Messi. Though, Carlos Alena is the only latest player to be given a run of games in the first team over the past couple of years. There are a few bright prospects within the academy right now, but their path into the first team may become even more difficult with the club using their failures in Europe as a means of signing stars for the here and now rather than bedding in a few prospects within the academy and the recapturing of Neymar could be a further representation of that idea.
Focusing on the problem at hand though, just how Valverde plans to implement Griezmann into his plan may be key to Barcelona’s success next season, especially in Europe. The club would not want another Galactico signing failure, they really can’t afford another one. After the struggles of both Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, the club will be praying that Griezmann does turn out to be a success even in his first season, this is a league he has played in his whole career so the Frenchman will have no excuses if he doesn’t get off to the quickest of starts. However, Valverde will need to quickly solve the issue of trying to accommodate both Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi in his rigid system. Both players hold the ability to have an impact in the middle – whether as a false-nine or a second striker role. If not worked on properly, Valverde may find that Barcelona’s star studded attack may just become congested and lacking in fluidity.
Not only will Valverde be tasked in complementing both Griezmann and Lionel Messi but what does the future hold for Luis Suarez? Will we continue seeing him the first 11 or as Antoine Griezmann come in to become Barcelona’s first choice striker. The Uruguayan is clearly in rapid decline but there is no doubting the kind of sheer commitment and contribution Luis Suarez has brought to the cause. Becoming the perfect foil for Lionel Messi and also continuing his renowned abilities of becoming such a phenomenal force in front of goal. The problem is, for Suarez, is that he will not be as mobile and efficient as he once was either it be pressing from the front and also drifting out wide to create space, and Griezmann is the perfect man to do that, as well as becoming a real goal-scoring force up-front.
Though, there is a way of incorporating all three with Luis Suarez maintaining his position as the main attacking force with Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann doing all the creative and final third work behind him. Suarez could become the perfect poacher rather than the complete forward he has been throughout his time at the Camp Nou:
If Barcelona manage to keep Philippe Coutinho providing him with another opportunity to right his wrongs at the Nou Camp then that may just spell the end of Suarez’ reign as Barcelona’s trusted number 9. That role may be handed to Antoine Griezmann with Lionel Messi and Coutinho either side of the French superstar:
You’d like to think that this may be Valverde’s go to line up, as it adds creativity, speed, control and a fine balance in both defence and attack. There is no doubting Antoine Griezmann’s immense versatility. The Frenchman could even line up as a false nine as shown above, constantly interchanging with Lionel Messi – a potential nightmare for opposing defenders – or even lining up on the left of a rigid 4-4-2 set up. A trusted formation that Valverde used regularly last season. Though that does mean that he would have to sacrifice one of his technically gifted options in midfield in Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong or Arthur.
Finally Barcelona hold two brilliant technically crafted midfielders capable of dragging the club back to its ‘Tiki-Taka’ traditions. Frenkie De Jong and Arthur are incredibly fine players and will offer a much needed control in possession and a wonderfully balanced link between defence and attack. A counter-attacking system has been Valverde’s tried and trusted system throughout his time at the club – against most fans wishes. Barcelona is a club that has blessed the footballing world with its ‘Total Football’ philosophy hell-bent of its passing, pressing, movement, operating in half-spaces, marauding full-backs and a striker more than capable in playing as a withdrawn striker, something both Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi can do in abundance.
Antoine Griezmann makes sense for just about any top team in the world. On the face of it, we’re talking about a player of immense qualities not just in the attacking third but also when helping in defence. His work-rate, defensive contributions, pressing and the incredible hunger to hustle and harry opponents even when they are drawing towards his own goal is something to be admired in the Frenchman. What Barcelona will be getting is a player that will give 100% in whatever he has been tasked to do. When in need of holding a narrow lead, Griezmann will fight until the very end to achieve those vital three points. It’s all well and good grabbing superstars but will those superstars not only fight for their own gain but will they fight for the shirt and Antoine Griezmann will do just that. With Real Madrid strengthening and rapidly improving their squad it was imperative Barcelona signed a player capable of helping them maintain their two-year dominance domestically and there was no better player helping them achieve those ambitions than in Griezmann.
Certainly, the signing of Antoine Griezmann may not answer all of Barcelona’s issues both within the squad and the club as a whole. The futures of Malcolm, Ousmane Dembele and even Philippe Coutinho still need to be decided before the season starts but two of those will be moved on to create space. It’s more than likely that both Ousmane Dembele and Malcolm will be moved on, two players who on their day could have mightily impressed the Barcelona faithful but it wasn’t to be. Whether Dembele is used as part of the deal to fund Neymar we will have to wait and see.
What’s most important though, is that Barcelona after a year of controversy and uncertainty finally have their man. A player well versed in helping the club finally achieve and unprecedented Champions League trophy. There’s still a lot of refinement to be done within the Barcelona camp.
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