Analysis: Optimism is growing on the agreement of Nico Williams to Barcelona, but perhaps it should not
No one really disputes the fact Nico Williams it would be a very good signing for almost everyone in the world. The 22-year-old showed at Euro 2024 what he had suggested for the 2023-24 season as he flew on the line for Ernesto Valverde, who was a handful for any defence.
The Basque winger has been the subject of a rather public war between Barcelona and Athletic Club this summer. After returning to training earlier this week, the Athletic Club is confident that he will remain at the club, despite him not rejecting the Catalan giants. Sportthey also say that optimism is growing in Barcelona about the deal, and there is a “high chance” that he signs for them.
Williams' decision aside, the arrival of Dani Olmo changes, or at least should, change things from a Barcelona perspective. There is a theory that if Williams is signed, then some of their other stars that Barcelona does not care to pass, such as Raphinha and Ilkay Gundogan, maybe even Ferran Torres, will see the writing on the wall, and go up his things.
The evidence of recent years suggests that this is absolutely not the case. If by some miracle of financial engineering Barcelona could register Williams before the arrival of major sales, then it would leave them either with a large pile of resources in one area, or perhaps announcing Raphinha, and eating about 20 million euros that costs the club every season.
Kingsley Coman would only be an alternative to Nico Williams, not a priority. Barca appreciate his quality and the fact that he worked with Flick at Bayern, although there are doubts about his injury history. @ffpolo, @xavimunyozMD
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 9, 2024
If Williams had also arrived, and Hansi Flick remained with the fairly defined 4-2-3-1 formation that he used, the three roles behind Robert Lewandowski would be contested between a total of nine players: Ilkay Gundogan, Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, Raphinha and Olmo. It is true that Gundogan or Pedri could be used further back, but in any case, a lot of talent would be left on the bench.
Maybe the cost of the opportunity to sign Williams is worth it, but it is the gap so big between Williams so big with Pedri, Lopez or even Raphinha that it is worth stretching the finances that a little wider, to the tune of 62 millions of euros, first. considering his salary? It is certainly inconsistent with the rest of the side. Williams could potentially raise the roof at Barcelona a couple of years down the line, but he won't do so dramatically in the next year or two, compared to Olmo, or if he was used centrally, Raphinha.
Meanwhile Barcelona seems to hope that Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casado or Marc Bernal can be a differential at the base of the midfield. That Alejandro Balde reminds us of his first season rather than his second. That 35-year-old Robert Lewandowski does the same. The case of the midfield seems the most striking. If Barcelona can rely on the youngsters from the academy to fill their need in midfield, it would mark a change of era for the club, but it is a significant pressure to put Casado, who the club thought to sell in May, and Bernal , who never played a game. First League match.
Barcelona does not necessarily have the star power all over the field to make the comparison sound, but perhaps this makes it even more relevant, that the criticism that has always been thrown at Real Madrid during its Galactico era is still signing star players above key. we need to balance the side. Before Euro 2024, Williams was not considered an absolute necessity, but in the end all the signs suggest that he could be a great player for Barcelona. If they could change Raphinha, Ansu Fati, Torres and maybe even Pedri or Lopez, it would also make sense. If they don't, there seems a reasonable chance that it won't help them win enough football games to justify their signing.
