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Barcelona: Éric Abidal’s only mistake in the summer may prove to be decisive

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Spain's striker Paco Alcacer (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the international friendly football match between Wales and Spain at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on October 11, 2018. (Photo by GEOFF CADDICK / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images)
Spain's striker Paco Alcacer (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the international friendly football match between Wales and Spain at The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on October 11, 2018. (Photo by GEOFF CADDICK / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Éric Abidal’s performance could be blemished by his only mistake

After Éric Abidal took over from Robert Fernández, he was never expected to do as well as he did. The ex-Culé had no previous experience in his new role, and Barcelona took a risk by appointing the Frenchman as technical secretary, especially before such a crucial transfer window.

But the risk paid hefty dividends. Abidal signed three new young players in Clément Lenglet, Arthur and Malcom, all of whom are future stars. He also signed Chilean superstar Arturo Vidal as replacement for Paulinho, who was offloaded for a €10 million back to China.

Barcelona’s new technical secretary managed to move on Gerard Deulofeu, Lucas Digne, Aleix Vidal, Yerry Mina and Marlon, also sending out André Gomes and Paco Alcácer on loan. None of the players who left the club were anywhere near the first-team, while the new signings did well.

After the conclusion of the transfer window, the sales negotiated by Éric Abidal raked in €82 million, and also cleared a massive chunk of the wage bill. The business conducted by Barcelona in the summer was hailed, and the transfer window was termed as one of the club’s best.

But it seems like Éric Abidal made one huge mistake in the transfer window, blame for which has to shared with Ernesto Valverde and the rest of the management. It was the Frenchman’s decision to let go of Paco Alcácer, who is in red hot form for both club and country.

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The 25-year old Spanish centre forward left the club to join Borussia Dortmund on loan, with the Bundesliga club having the option to make the move permanent at the end of the season for a fee of €23 million, giving Barcelona a loss of €7 million.

Since joining Dortmund, Alcácer has scored 7 goals in 4 appearances for his new club, making just 1 start and playing a meagre 171 minutes in total. He has also scored 3 goals in 2 appearances for the Spanish national team, scoring a brace against Wales and a consolation goal against England.

After scoring at the Sánchez Pizjuán against England in the UEFA Nations League after coming on as a substitute, Paco Alcácer has scored with his last 10 efforts on target. Undoubtedly, Alcácer is the most in-form marksman in Europe at the moment.

Not only is Barcelona letting go of that player for a loss, the club is also selling a player who could have easily succeeded the ageing Luis Suárez in the Barça first-team. Obviously, the club can sign a high-profile target like Krzysztof Piątek for a big fee, but Alcácer would have been better.

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It is not the first time that the management has looked past an internal solution by not giving enough playing time to fringe players, and has ended up regretting it. Now, with Suárez starting to decline yet again after an impressive start to the season, Éric Abidal will regret his decision.