Tactical masterclass or just another old wage-eater
Image Source: The Guardian
The streets of Barcelona were flooded with joy on 12 November 2021 upon the return of club legend and Brazilian international Dani Alves(right) to Football Club Barcelona! The 38-year-old Olympic Gold medalist blessed the grass of the Camp Nou just days after the appointment of Xavi Hernandez as their head coach. The signing shocked the football world as the Brazilian Right-Back found himself comfortably playing hours at the South American giant São Paulo; however, Barcelona needed a talisman with unparalleled experience to steer a ship with a young yet talented crew. Alves spent the first six seasons of his career in the Spanish coastal city before having a few stints in Turin and Paris. Barcelona hopes to garner his fluid style of play and take advantage of his record 43 trophies to successfully instill the club to a fraction of its former glory compared to its erratic season following the departure of Lionel Messi. This buy could prove to be different, the man may not be at his former glory, his stamina and fitness at such a weary age may not adhere with the rigorous play and training. Barcelona is at an apex of debt and finances, and a player of his caliber may demand weekly wages without returning the favor. His play could become inconsistent, welcoming a streak of unwelcome outcomes while younger players in the same position are left on the bench. Dani Alves surely did come for free although, the cost of running him may get costly along with that, it may lead to the same old Ronaldinho fiasco of 2007, parties and never showing up to training. These are mere possibilities and may not happen and in the world of football, as facts speak - unpredictable is the reality.
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