FC Barcelona are now under new management both on the field and off the field. The Catalan giants, as a result, are now letting go of some virtues that they were previously content with in the hopes of creating a more competitive, yet simultaneously sustainable, team for the future.
The new Sporting Director Deco remains in constant contact with Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez as they identify names of players that can be potential targets or people of interest. Their relationship has gotten closer and they have also included the Barca scouts as part of a more unified unit.
However, according to Spanish outlet SPORT, there is a message from Deco that wishes to stop a certain practice. Signing players beyond the age of thirty, unless it is an operation quite profitable for La Blaugrana, will be a practice no longer pursued by Barcelona due to the unsustainable nature of such players.
Having already signed three players in the summer that meet that 30-year-old criteria, namely Ilkay Gundogan, Inigo Martinez, and Oriol Romeu, Barcelona will now reportedly reassess their options in November as well.
For Deco, such players do not present a future viability. Since they are destined to lose value rather than gain it while also losing sporting ability, the Brazilian would prefer to bring in new blood instead and only focus on veteran signings if they come as free transfers instead.
However, Deco does still acknowledge that these players present good sporting value in the short run. They also bring with them leadership skills and much-needed experience that can then help the youngsters in the team develop with some reliable seniors in the squad.
Despite this, Deco is more invested in the youth of tomorrow. Operations like the ones concerning Vitor Roque, Raphinha or even potentially Gabriel Moscardo clearly showcase the Sporting Director’s philosophy for FC Barcelona moving forward and his rather keen inclination towards the Brazilian market too, interestingly.
