2009 was definitely FC Barcelona’s year. So was 2015. So were a bunch of other years since 1991. But for all the good times in recent decades, 2021 was certainly a year for Culers to forget. Joan Laporta and Xavi both returned. The names Pedri, Gavi, and Nico Gonzalez went from maybes to always. But those things will be overshadowed in the history books by everything else that 2021 had to offer.
Messi left. A president resigned in disgrace, embarrassing the club in the process. A legend went from coach to scapegoat in a matter of months. Ansu Fati missed most of the year with injuries. The team did win the Copa del Rey, but that trophy was overshadowed by the overwhelmingly negative reaction about the Super League within the same week. Finally, another disappointment against Bayern Munich led to the first appearance in the Europa League in two decades.
Yet, for all the doom and gloom, the Camp Nou still stands. FC Barcelona, and the city of Barcelona, is still a club that talented players dream of playing for. The Blaugrana will bounce back, but how long will it take? Things could get worse in 2022, but how about we keep it positive with some ways that the club could be defined for the better.
Year of Financial Stability
As far as things getting worse in 2022, it’s hard to imagine that the finances of the club could be any more dire than they are right now. The good news is – the registration limit for the club will rise for the 2022-23 season, simply based on the wages and salary that are being expelled from the budget this season. Further contract extensions will help with the budget, and this means renewing the likes of Gavi, Nico Gonzalez, and Ronald Araujo to reasonable contracts that won’t endanger the club down the road. Sensible transfers with players that will perform to their price tag is the final piece of that puzzle. In addition, refilling the stadium with paying supporters as well as season ticket holders, securing another low interest loan, and keeping the Espai Barça project on the economic tracks will all be helpful as well. Finally, continued emphasis on setting up new streams of revenue should be a priority for those in the boardroom.
Year of Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati made 8 appearances in 2021, scoring 4 goals. All of these appearances came this season, once he returned from injury, before getting hurt again. Yet, the 19-year-old still received the number 10 shirt and signed a major contract extension, indicating the club’s faith in him. There are a lot of talented players at FC Barcelona, many with extremely bright futures, but Fati has the brightest future of all. If he can stay healthy, he’ll produce goals. There are still plenty of things for the youngster to work on, including his decision-making in the final third and defensive positioning, but Culers could see significant improvements in those categories if he’s able to stay on the field.
Year of the Young Midfielder
Pedri being named the best young player in the world in 2021 is hard to beat. Gavi has a decent chance of following him to the stage this season. Add Nico Gonzalez to the mix, and Barcelona’s midfield could be set for a decade. The irony is that 2022 should be defined by Frenkie de Jong, the club’s most expensive midfielder and the one of the four that is in theory in his prime. More ironic than that is that if any trophies are won this season, be it the Europa League or Copa del Rey, they will likely be won only with Sergio Busquets playing almost every minute. Yet, the enhanced importance of the younger trio could define the year for seasons to come. 2022 could be remembered as the first season where Pedri, Gavi, and Nico all became irreplaceable in the Barcelona midfield.
Year of Erling Haaland
As great as all of those institutional improvements would be, Joan Laporta shaking Erling Haaland’s hand and adding him to a star-studded generation would make the most news and be the image that Culers would celebrate the most. Haaland’s signing would represent the greatest hope to trophies moving forward, at least on paper. It’s hard to say that a whole year would be defined by one transfer halfway through, but it would (or should) signify that the club has rebounded financially and the team is ready to truly compete again.
Dan Hilton is an American journalist, broadcaster, and current Editor-in-Chief of BarcaBlog. Extensive work as a play-by-play broadcaster, producer behind the scenes, and quite average player in his younger years has given him a well-rounded and informative perspective on the sport. Alongside BarcaBlog founder Francesc, Dan started The Barcelona Podcast in 2017
