I would never in a million years have thought that Samuel Eto’o could be booed by Camp Nou. Last summer I argued that I wouldn’t sell Eto’o for €100 million, basically because I believe there is no other forward in the world who could replace him. Eto’o is vital to Barça’s system, not just for the goals he scores but for the way he works as the first line of defence by chasing down defenders and goalkeepers. However, after Sunday’s game with Mallorca and the reaction of the crowd and the response from Eto’o, I am beginning to wonder if it might be better to let him go now.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Samuel Eto’o and I love the way he works for the team. I can not understand how people can boo a player who has done so much for the club. The press has to take part of the blame for stirring up the fans with suggestions that Eto’o and Deco deliberately got booked in order to miss the game against Madrid. The public can understandably get annoyed at players they see as overpaid who often react like spoilt children when they are criticised. However, as fans of a club I don’t see what we have to gain by going to a game and booing a player throughout the match. All we achieve is to make the player unhappy, and who knows, it may be the trigger that leads to a player deciding to move elsewhere. There might be some players that I would like to see leave but Eto’o is not one of them.
So why do I have my doubts now? Well, I have also argued recently for the need for unity at the club and unfortunately Eto’o does not seem to have too many friends at the club. I think it is a great shame but I have a horrible feeling that Eto’o could become a bit of a scapegoat next season if things don’t go perfectly. With a new coach coming in hopefully the team will all pull together, but Eto’o has shown in the past that he can be a bit of a loose cannon. This weekend’s criticisms have obviously hurt him and it is clear to anyone that he is a very proud man, unfortunately he is also somewhat immature and this mix of pride and immaturity can be very dangerous.
Last summer I argued that Ronaldinho and Deco should both stay despite them both having an irregular season in 2006/2007, I hoped they would recover their form but I was wrong. We would surely have made more money last summer by selling them and we would have avoided their unsettling influence this season. Could Eto’o also be on this downward spiral?
In the end I hope he stays and responds in a positive manner to silence his critics. If he were to leave a replacement would be difficult to find. Didier Drogba is still performing well but he is 30 years old and could turn out to be as disappointing as Thierry Henry. David Villa looks set to join Madrid. Benzema looks to be the best option but how much would he cost if we could persuade him to come? Of the other options that have been mentioned in the press I’m not sure if any are good enough. Tottenham are supposed to be interested in Eto’o and a deal involving Dimitar Berbatov might work out, but I can’t see Eto’o wanting to sign for a club that is not in the Champions League next season.
Anyway, I’ll leave it to you guys now to vote in the new poll in the sidebar.
26 responses so far ↓
Frede // May 13, 2008 at 13:51
This is pretty interesting. I love Eto’o. He is by far the best - and most consistant - striker we have seen in our club for years. But EVERYTHING HAS ITS PRICE, and if - as I read today - Inter will spend 50mio euros on him, it would be very hard to refuse. With that kinda money we could be able to buy Benzema, whom i would love to see in our beloved Barca this summer.
The critisism of Eto’o is pointless. Yes, he might have a thing with his behavour and mentality, but he has given us so much (especially goals) ever since he got here. And to have a striker like that is -almost- priceless.
blaugranaboy // May 13, 2008 at 15:42
i have also been thinking a lot about the rumors surrounding him. basically i think guardiola and management need to speak to him and see where his mind is. if he is committed to the team and feels he wants to be in barca, keep him without a doubt. but if he feels unsettled and doesnt feel he will ever feel better, no point in that. we have all already seen what happens when players give up on their club and teammates.
if he goes, in think berbatov would be great. he has the majestic skill and intelligence and the size in the middle we havent had. benezma is too early and too expensive to buy. get someone tried and tested. berba is pure class.
Joe Henry // May 13, 2008 at 15:52
So Eto’o , Henry, Ronnie, Deco & Yaya are leaving. Curse you Frank for destroying the world best team, I’m not angry at the moment for not winning any thing. I’m angry because we should have won every thing. Yet we are soon to be forth and with no championship and a huge lose to Madrid with the world best team in the world. If you ask me don’t sell any one !
Hilal // May 13, 2008 at 16:00
Joe Henry why would you put Yaya in that list? He has been one of the best players we had this season, he better not leave!!
Nick, reports in England claim that Alves is preparing to make a switch to Barcelona soon. Have you heard anything about this in Spain, I am very skeptical of some of the reports here, especially this time of year! Would love it to be true though
Joe Henry // May 13, 2008 at 16:39
Arsenal wants Him Hilal. I sure hope he doesn’t go but it’s a probability
blaugranaboy // May 13, 2008 at 16:52
people need to relax. and stop giving frank abuse, he is gone, its over. yaya isnt going anywhere. alves is def going to barca. i have no doubt, read today it will probably be done in the next 10 days. he wants to do it before going on holiday back to brazil. and frankly deco and henry are welcome to go. deco especially. he hasnt been good for 3 years, at times he looks the part but mostly his passes can be lazy and lets not get into his TERRIBLE scoring ability. henry isnt going unfortunately.
BARCA 4 LYF // May 13, 2008 at 17:27
Eto’o is the best striker in the world he has no replacement he’s better than Torres and Toni put together!!!
BARCA 4 LYF // May 13, 2008 at 17:47
BlaugranaBoy Henry is doing good now 4 goals in his last 3 games he has scored more than Eto’o now!!!
morzzan // May 13, 2008 at 17:53
The season is over, and what the upper echelon of Barca need to do is start damage control. As Blaugranaboy said, they need to speak to the players and see where their heart is, if its staying at barca or otherwise. I dont see Eto’o departing just yet, I really don’t. Yes, fans jeered him, but I donot see him leaving. The barcelona attack will be toothless without him and just lazy henry up front. I just hope he stays, otherwise, if the club continues its downward spiral and things don’t go all the right way, we might see a mass exodus of the good players from the club by next January.
We are already seeing a massive change in the team line up this summer, with R10, Deco, Now Eto’o, that would just be too many changes. Yes, changes are necessary, but this change is changing the entire backbone of the team. Laporta will need better reinforcements if he wants Barcelona back on track within the next two seasons.
Siim // May 13, 2008 at 18:15
Sell Eto’o, get big money from Tottenham or Inter and buy Kun Agüero. Though, impossible.
If Eto’o stays, I wouldn’t mind.
voonte // May 13, 2008 at 18:18
The way parts of the crowd booed Deco and Eto’o was really embarrassing. I could understand if it was for just a short while, but it was going on the whole game. Seeing Eto’o score that evening was the most amazing moment in quite a while.
About the yellow cards, actually the cards was a small issue. The big issue is that people read news like it’s facts. It’s NOT facts!
By the way is it just me, or did the yellow cards on Deco and Eto’o feel justifiable? Eto’o was fouled and fell to the ground, a few minutes before Deco’s yellow, then I believe it was Marchena who shot Eto’o in the head, while he was lying down. Shortly after that Deco got booked when he fouled Marchena.
Treet // May 13, 2008 at 18:43
I love Eto’o he is the best striker in the world when he is on his game. Eto’o has been great for Barca…but my thing is if Eto’o continues playing like he did against Man U…he should go….for me it all depends on his attitude and desire to play for the club…if he’s not giving his all Barca should let him go because he would only do more harm than help
FCB - Canada // May 13, 2008 at 19:44
Barca should sell him and get what they can for him now and then put Henry center. Like Siim says I would love to see Kun Agüero come in but that’s not going to happen. Also everyone is saying R10 is going but the price tag around him is too high that I don’t think he’s going just yet. Also I hope they don’t get rid of Xavi.
ulizinho // May 13, 2008 at 19:47
Come on, do we still have some players left or are we striving to avoid relegation in 2008/09 with the Barca B team under Barca B coach Pep in primera division next season? What is the use of all these speculations, who needs all this except some Catalan papers to fill the pages every day. As far as I know Sammy Eto’o has said not a single word yet about leaving. What the f… is this all about?
Barca Fan_Miki // May 13, 2008 at 21:29
Let hem go get big money and bay some good players like Ibrahimovic, Benzema , Huntelar, Agguero or some else.I personaly think that Eto’s days in Barcelona are over.
Titi186 // May 13, 2008 at 23:35
Take it from me, Henry WILL be at Barcelona next year and Thierry Henry WILL show Barcelona why they paid as much money for hime as they did. He is showing improvements in his game all the time and him and Messi seem to be clicking more at last so can everyone next season PLEASE give him a clean slate and he will produce.
Will Eto’o be ther I suspect so simply because Tottenham (with a swap for Berbatov) are the most likely buyers yet I cant imagine Eto’o playing in the UEFA Cup. However as many pointed out, we all know Ronnie and probably Deco are going but the team has learned to play without them so it wont be a shock yet the team still relies on Eto’o for his work-rate in the 4-3-3 system so he would be missed.
As a final comment though, if a players heart is not in the club anymore then its time to go. End of. No one is irrereplacable including Ronaldinho of Barca, Henry of Arsenal, Figo of Barcelona, Ronaldo of Madrid. Schevchenko of Milan… The club lives on. Its life.
A word on transfers - Barca, as Wenger described Arsenal lately, need a EVOlution not a REVolution. Two Centre Backs (to replace Thurham and Milito), a full back (probably Lahm or Alves), and a CREATIVE midfeilder and some team discipline and Barca will be the best again!!
Forca Barca!!
————Valdes————-
—Alves–Puyol–(C.B)–Abidal–
——————-Toure————–
————Iniesta———-
————–(A.M.)—————–
–Messi——————–Henry——
————–Eto’o?-(or new)———–
Liam // May 14, 2008 at 0:31
Skill , work rate and talent wise the only striker that is at Etoos level is David Villa, at least in my eyes, both score tons, press defenders and play their hearts during the whole match.
This been said, if Barca gets good money I wouldnt mind selling him, specially cuz of his outbursts. If they could get Valencias 7 it would be awesome, if not, Benzema should be the one landing in Barcelona. If none of them come, Diego Milito looks good enough for me and considering Zaragoza might get relegated it could be a cheap transfer.
Rafael // May 14, 2008 at 7:55
I don’t think Eto’o, Ronaldinho or Deco should leave.
They have a new manager who will hopefully motivate them again..
blaugranaboy // May 14, 2008 at 8:07
titi man i love ur optimism in henry but it raelly comes form u being an arsenal supporter. and frankly it worries me that u made a barca team without xavi, thats shameful. no players is as valuable to him in my opinion. consistently a worldclass player for over 7 years, the one constant in the forever changing barca squad. otherwise im sick of henry, talking about him, watching him play, just everything about him. who cares he scored 4 in the last 3, HORRAY, does that excuse his pitiful season full of moaning and immaturity. but as he is staying id rather he does better. he needs to understand that he isnt henry of arsenal anymore, thats OVER. he needs to find the motivation to start from scratch. and frankly his left sided role worked perfectly fine against valencia when his energy levels seemed to rise above 5%. basically he is staying so i hope he proves his worth. but if i see the same laziness next season i hope pep has the courage to immediately tell him to find another club.
Hilal // May 14, 2008 at 11:01
Damn i keep hearing that Yaya is going to Arsenal…..very worrying!!! He is probably the one player besides Messi that we cannot afford to sell. Henry and Eto’o can both be replaced……Yaya is a very unique and gifted player in terms of physique and skill and I think it would be very hard to replace him. I hope these are just rumors….the fact that his brother plays there doesnt help our cause either!!
Maise // May 14, 2008 at 11:24
I hope Eto’o stays. He is a great player, maybe if Pep can talk to him we can welcome back the eto’o of the old, does anyone else think hes become slow??
Titi186 // May 14, 2008 at 14:23
@ blaugranaboy
Regarding Xavi, I just feel that in a 4-3-3 you need three top, top class players and from expereince of watchin Xavi over the last 3yrs I have seen that there are many better players out there Im sorry.
Yaya in the DM position is irreplacable Im sorry. I havent the slightest clue why Barca see him has expendable and it will only be Arsenals gain if Barca do let him go. As for the the CM birth I think Iniesta is better all round as he links up with the other players better and is so much more creative. As for the AM, Xavi cant play there because he is not attacking enough for me so if Barca can find a better player such as Cesc, Kaka then there you can dispense of Xavi from the starting XI.
As for Henry, I watched for nearly 10 yrs. I know his moods swings aren’t as put with in Catalunya as North London. But he is adapting and linking up better with the team and I have noticed his play and attitude is better all round and I beleive with Ronnie gone and all the focus on him and Messi (esp. if Eto’o goes) then he will perform. My point was that with a proper coach and the pressure I beleive he will deliver. And for your final point I agree that if he doesnt perform then the coach can ask him to leave but at least give him another season to prove himself as be honest I could make a case for EVERYONE in Barcelona this year to leave (apart from Messi and Yaya and Puyol) so blame it on a new signing is ridiculous.
Come on Barca!!
Barca Fan_Miki // May 14, 2008 at 15:06
I think he is write http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=695869
blaugranaboy // May 14, 2008 at 17:46
wow, im shocked really. xavi is such an underappreciated player. he NEVER loses the ball, his retention, touch, vision is sick and unrivaled in the world. reaons why united tried to snatch him 2 yrs back and chelsea are making an attempt again this year. iniesta being better is crap. he is fantastic and one of spaisn best, but thats only because he modeled his game on xavi, often on tv commentators mix them up. xavi is way more consistent. his forward runs arent as dazzling but he makes far more passes and assists. whatever, i dont feel i have to argue this for one second more. xavi along with messi and puyol are the most important players there. losing any of those three would hurt me most.
and ur formation interpretation is wrong. u dont line the three in hte mid 1-1-1. they play along side each other with yaya pushing back more often. the other two both link with attack and move up and down. u dont play defensive, center, and attacking.
like i said about henry, sick of him. i watched him at arsenal as much as u did. not denying his greatness there. but he has been a pathetic excuse for a player this year. i can accept adjusting to a new system but he didnt even care or try. i have never accepted him as a barca player and unless he comes back like a demon next year i never will.
Joe Henry // May 14, 2008 at 19:12
I rather Eto’o goes and Ronnie stays !
Hilal // May 14, 2008 at 19:23
Xavi is pure class, the heart and soul of Barcelona. His form this season has been on and off but so has the entire team so you cannot blame him. Iniesta has had his off moments as well, especially near the end of the season. Anybody who thinks we should get rid of Xavi does not know enough about football to be making an educated comment.
As for Henry, as much as his attitude may be a bit much, his class is undeniable. He was always stroppy, even during his glory days at Arsenal. Keep him, use him properly and he will do just fine. Selling Eto’o would be madness and unless he REALLY wants to leave i wouldnt sell him.
FOR LOVE OF GOD KEEP YAYA!!!!
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