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Grozny – about large-scale selection, transfers of Conte and Xavi in the offseason

A well-known Ukrainian coach Vyacheslav Grozny in an exclusive interview evaluated the transitions in European soccer during the summer transfer window.

– Vyacheslav, recently the transfer window in Europe has closed. What have you found out for yourself? What transitions you would note?
– I always keep an eye on transfers. I would call it “Analysis and nuances of European clubs` summer transfer policy”. Before we talk about numbers, names, clubs, and specifics in such a serious process as a transfer selection policy, I would like to share the nuances of transfers in a few aspects.

At first glance, for most soccer fans everything is quite known, clear, transparent and understandable. But in practice, this is not the case, because there are so many elements that must be taken into account: 1) the financial capabilities of the clubs, and therefore coaching plans must necessarily take this into account; 2) the desire of the head coach and the potential player to cooperate together, taking into account the team’s playing style; 3) the country and club ambitions; 4) the player’s ambitions and opportunities for quick adaptation (language, culture, game nuances and so on); 5) financial aspects of agencies representing the player; 6) the skill of highly professional and quality negotiations. There is a very good saying among soccer people: “Money and transfers love silence!!!”. This shows the ability to gather all the necessary information about a player in detail and keep it a secret from their possible competitors.

– Do people from the world of soccer really stick to this motto, so that they can successfully work on the transfer market?
– Well, of course! I will give you a well-known example: a year ago Kylian Mbappe was already sent by everyone, including the media, to Real Madrid. But he continues to defend the colors of the famous PSG, as for a long time the Parisians included the whole range of organizational issues to keep him with them. A similar situation a year ago arose regarding the potential transfer of Harry Kane from Tottenham to Man City. Back then, the Citizens, according to them in the public eye, agreed everything long ago. But the deal fell through at the last minute and Guardiola was left last season without the ram-type center-forward he was seriously counting on. At the time, another top forward, Lukaku, moved from Inter to Chelsea. Lewandowski wanted to move to Man City, but Bayern wouldn’t let him go because new head coach Nagelsmann of Munich wanted to win the Champions League in his first year at the helm. And Borussia Dortmund, on a tight schedule, did not have time to acquire a classy striker to replace Holand. Dortmund were satisfied with everything financially and Erling wanted a transfer, but they could not find anyone to replace the Norwegian. Therefore, Holand’s switch was postponed for a year later.

By the way, this summer Thomas Tuchel has already announced the transfer of French and Sevilla central defender Jules Kunde to Chelsea. In turn, Barcelona, without saying anything, normally held negotiations and signed this talented footballer, familiar with La Liga. And there are a lot of examples like that. Both you and I can cite many of them, so you should not oversimplify the aspects of transfers and transitions. Everything is very complicated and ambiguous. In addition, there are different types of selection, which I want to tell soccer fans about. There is point selection, operational selection, planned selection and large-scale selection!

– Can you give some examples of large-scale selection?
– Yes, of course! It will be interesting! I will try to reveal some of the nuances of transfers. In November 2021, “Tottenham” was headed by Italian Antonio Conte, who had worked very successfully at Juventus, Inter and Chelsea. Undoubtedly, one of the components to achieve results in communication with the management of Tottenham was the condition of retaining all the leading players of Spurs and a large-scale transfer selection, which was eventually done.

Therefore, this season Tottenham has similar numbers to Man City and the Londoners will really fight for the highest places. I will try to decipher what was said. Conte has managed to assemble practically two squads of diverse players of the highest level. We know very well the experienced and reliable goalkeeper of the French national team Lioris. But to strengthen the defense, Conte managed to persuade Atalanta to sell Argentinian defender Cristian Romero to Spurs for EUR 50m. He also managed to lure French international Lenglé from Barcelona. In addition, Juventus also picked up two players from Juventus in winter: Uruguayan full-back Bentancourt (almost €20m) and Swedish forward Kuluszewski (on loan). Mali national team midfielder Bissouma was also taken from Brighton for €30 million. Also, a very famous and experienced Croatian national team player Ivan Perisic came to the team as a free agent. Everton’s Brazilian international Rischarlison was added to the famous attacking duo of Kane and Son for a fantastic 58 million euros. I’m specifically focusing on high-level newcomers. In my opinion, Spurs are capable of beating any opponent right now, and that’s quite normal.

– Is there anyone else, besides Spurs, who has done a large-scale selection?
– The situation at Barcelona is similar. Xavi, like Conte, also took charge of a new team in November 2021, namely his native Barcelona. And, of course, all issues were negotiated with the management to create a Barcelona capable of winning all matches and tournaments, as it was under Guardiola. But for that they needed exactly a massive selection, which involves first a stage-by-stage selection until the end of the 21/22 season.

In November, the experienced Dani Alves comes to Barcelona and wants to help the team. He loves Barcelona! Alves approached Xavi saying that he doesn’t want money and that he just wants to help young talent and other guys. And that deserves respect. Then in January Ferran Torres was bought from Man City for a huge amount. I for one, as a head coach, would never have given permission to pay 55 million euros for that transfer. In my opinion, he doesn’t play for that much money. But for some reason Barcelona paid that amount. I do not know why, it’s not my question. Also that season the jet Adama Traore, who is a pupil of the Blaugranas, joined the Catalan club on loan. At the same time, Gabonese forward Aubameyang joined Barcelona from Arsenal. Before that, the Netherlands national team players Depay and Frankie De Jong joined Barcelona. In addition, the Catalans were joined by young Fatih, Gavi, Pedri, Dembele and the experienced Busquets. As a result, Barcelona finished second in La Liga. By the way, in March the Catalans beat Real Madrid 4-0 by all accounts! I still remember that great match! But I was upset when Barcelona lost in Europa League to Eintracht, because I expected that Xavi’s charges would win the European Cup. But that’s how it is in soccer sometimes.

– Do you think the Catalans can improve this season and win some prestigious title? What did Xavi do in the transfer window to do this?
– “Barcelona”, following the winner of the Champions League, “Real”, was the second in that season, but the Catalan team has championship ambitions. Therefore, they began the second stage of their transfer and selection policy, namely, spot acquisitions on a number of key positions. The team has a kind of backbone – a goalkeeper, central defenders, holding midfielder, dispatcher and a central striker. “Barcelona needed an experienced and scoring center-forward. As a result, Xavi was bet on Pole Lewandowski, who had disagreements with Nagelsmann at Bayern. Robert wanted to go to Barcelona, although he had many offers. And from his game we can already see that Lewandowski is as if he was born in Barcelona. It is clear that this is his team in which the Pole feels very comfortable. It is clear that when such a top striker comes into a team, a number of players have difficulties getting into the starting lineup. Aubameyang worked ahead of the curve by holding talks with the Aristocrats. Pierre-Emerick is already at Chelsea from which Lukaku (Inter) and Werner (Leipzig) have moved to other clubs. Aubameyang and Sterling will try to replace this pair of strikers. I hope they can do it!

Depay was in talks with Juventus and a number of clubs, but most likely the agents and middlemen made such conditions that none of the clubs went along. Therefore, Depay will remain at Barcelona until the winter, but he will have almost no playing practice. The arrival of the talented Brazilian Rafinha from Leeds (58 million euros) created some tension for Dembele, Ferran Torres, Desta and a number of other players. But Xavi and the management of the Blues and Granatas acted wisely. The loan of Adama Traore, who returned to Wolverhampton, was not extended. Also, Xavi personally spoke to the very talented Dembele and persuaded him to stay with the team. He went along, contrary to the agents, and also agreed to lower personal contract terms. Ousmane stayed at Barcelona and he now appears in every match in the basis. Xavi then met with Ferran Torres and explained to him that in this situation, playing and training with players like Lewandowski and Rafinha, he could progress. In the end, Torres also went along and stayed with the team. Upon learning of the transfer of Belerin and Kunde to Barcelona, it was deemed reasonable to change the clubs of Umtiti (Lecce), Minges (Celta) and Desta (AC Milan). Also, following the transfer of Lewandowski, Portuguese winger Trincao moved to Sporting on loan. This is me specifically to tell readers what processes take place in the teams. If a player of a very high level is bought, it means that someone else will not get the game practice. Someone will decide to stay, knowing that he won’t play much, but he will grow and progress. I’m not just saying that!

– And how did the transition of the Italian champion with AC Milan, Kessier, to Barcelona affect the “blue Granatas”? For example, the same Frankie De Jong will have a guaranteed place in the lineup?
– The emergence of Franck Kessier, who has already played more than 50 games for the Ivorian national team in his 25 years at Barcelona, immediately caused Nico Gonzalez to leave for Valencia and Ricky Puig for Los Angeles Galaxy. Also, Philippe Coutinho waved goodbye and moved to Aston Villa for 20 million euros. And Luke De Jong, after learning about the transfer of top forward Lewandowski, moved to PSV. For his part, Frankie De Jong made financial concessions and stayed at Barcelona. And whether he will play, let’s analyze! Xavi has at least six players who qualify for the position. Busquets, Pedri, Gavi (one three) and De Jong, Kessier, Pjanic (the other three). Maybe De Jong will get into the starting lineup. Maybe in certain matches he will play. It is no coincidence that Xavi started to use him sometimes as a central defender. But that will rarely happen because Barcelona already have Kunde, Christensen and others who can play in that position.

– From this we can conclude that we can again see a Barcelona that is capable of facing the most serious challenges?
– First, let’s see what we have in terms of forwards! Lewandowski, Dembele, Rafinha (one three) and Fati, Depay, Torres (the other three). There are six strikers! There are also six central zone players! In defense, the Catalans have Bellerin and Sergi Roberto (right), Alba, Alonso and Balde (left), Kunde, Christensen, Eric Garcia, Pique, Araujo. Tell me, please, what more do you need? Barcelona have a great lineup! That is why Frankie De Jong understands that it is very difficult to compete. Almost all the positions in the Catalan team have been strengthened. Xavi has made a great selection! By taking into the central vertical of Kunde, Christensen, Kessier and Lewandowski, and strengthening the flanks Bellerin, Marcos Alonso, Dembele and Rafinha, Xavi put together the so-called Rubik’s Cube! (Laughs) So there is a new Barcelona, which is hungry to win and which, with the combination of experience and youth is ready to win all the tournaments. I cited the examples of Tottenham and Barcelona! This is exactly the kind of serious, large-scale selection. But most clubs are dominated by targeted and pinpoint selection.