Could we see Messi in the EPL next season?
ALL is not well at Barcelona. Last week Athletic Bilbao knocked them out of the King’s Cup; they have a new manager, Quique Setien, who’s chief qualification for the role appears to be a long-standing admiration for Johan Cruyff; and most significantly, Lionel Messi is not a happy man.
Messi is upset about comments made by Barcelona’s sporting director Eric Abidal, who accused many players of not working hard under previous coach Ernesto Valverde.
In an angry response, the Argentine superstar said: “I think that when players are talked about, names should be given because, if not, we are all being dirtied and it feeds comments that are made and are not true.” I think he makes a fair point.
Whatever Abidal’s full job description may be, surely his most important responsibility is to keep Messi happy. And that’s not granting undue influence to a single player (even
though we are talking about the greatest player of all time – it’s not even a debate as far as I’m concerned).
As a club Barcelona appear to be drifting a bit; the flair, fluidity and fearlessness that characterised their play for so long has been gradually subdued and diminished.
Messi is carrying them more than ever and the load he bears is getting heavier.
It’s very hard to imagine Barcelona without their inspirational number 10. A transfer remains implausible at this stage but it no longer seems impossible.
He faces a dilemma now: how does he see his future and how does he judge Barcelona’s? Does he see them being a truly dominant force in Europe over the remainder of his career? That’s a question that may be creeping to the front of his mind.
Francesco Totti stayed loyal to Roma to become a one-club legend and Messi is currently on course to do the same.
He will be reluctant to give up that legacy but don’t doubt his trophy-winning ambition or desire to shine on a stage that’s adequately set-up for his talent to fully flourish.
The manager who has directed him best is Pep Guardiola. Asked about the prospect of a reunion with Leo, Guardiola said: “He is a player for Barcelona and he will stay there, that is my wish.”
A suitably diplomatic response if almost certainly a slightly less than honest one.
If a footballing genie showed up in Guardiola’s office to grant three wishes, I have a feeling that signing Messi would be one of them.
The Pep factor makes Manchester City the probable favourites if Messi were to consider exiting Barcelona.
It remains a long shot but it would be the greatest thing to happen to the Premier League in its history.
Messi has taken the beautiful game and added deeper, more mesmerising layers of beauty to it. He does it with quite astonishing consistency as well.
Some have suggested that the physical demands of the Premier League would possibly prove too much for him but I doubt it; his small frame has always included a large and courageous heart.
Lifestyle is a more likely impediment. I used to live in Manchester and it’s a great city. But it’s also wet, very wet. I also don’t recall spotting any palm trees.
Barcelona is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and luxuriates in a gorgeous Mediterranean climate.
Neither the city nor the football club is an easy place to leave.
Discussing the prospect of a Messi move to City, Danny Mills said: “Actually, where would you play him at City? You’d have to change everything. He’d play instead of who?”
Anyone Danny; absolutely anyone.
Craig Wilkie, Football Writer, Football Coach, Football Fan.
The views expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Star.