Barcelona - Don't be so cruel to Iniesta!

(Baonghean.vn) - The relationship between 'Saint Andres' and Barcelona's Board of Directors is in a state of "not being happy, not being sweet" during the negotiation process of a new contract. If things still fall into a deadlock, it is likely that the 33-year-old midfielder will leave Camp Nou to play for another team in the summer of 2017.

According to Don Balon, the dispute over money has prevented both sides from finding a common voice. Barcelona's board of directors wants to reduce Iniesta's salary, but Iniesta himself does not accept that. The move by the Camp Nou's top brass shows that the player born in 1984 is no longer "untouchable" like Messi, Neymar, Busquets... Therefore, President Bartomeu and his associates do not need to persuade Iniesta at all costs to stay.

Iniesta is facing the possibility of leaving Barcelona after many years of association. Photo: Internet

The actions of the Barcelona Board of Directors do not surprise anyone. Over the years, many of the team's "loyal servants" have had to leave Camp Nou "without fanfare" due to the "heavy hand" of the Barcelona club's leaders. Ronaldinho, Xavi, Alves... have all experienced that feeling. Therefore, with what is happening at the Catalan team, it is likely that Iniesta will have to find a new destination.

Of course, a famous player like Iniesta has no shortage of big, rich teams ready to roll out the red carpet to welcome him. Juventus, Man City and Inter Milan have all publicly expressed their desire to recruit the Italian midfielder. By agreeing to join one of these three teams, Iniesta does not have to worry about the treatment. Besides, the ambitions of Juventus, Man City and Inter Milan for next season are worth Iniesta's heart. Leaving Barcelona does not seem to be a step backward in Iniesta's career.

But for the “Catalan giants”, it is different. Camp Nou has lost one of the most talented midfielders in the history of the team. At the age of 33, with a playing style that does not require too much physical strength, Iniesta is extremely useful for Barcelona’s midfield. It is wrong to base on the performance of “Saint Andres” last season to conclude that the player wearing the number 8 shirt has become useless due to age.

The most important target is Verratti, who is still in a deadlock. Photo: Internet

Don't forget, under coach Luis Enrique, Barcelona's midfield has been regrettably neglected. Or to be more precise, the strategist nicknamed Lucho did not know how to promote the strength of the players playing in the midfield area. Besides, coach Luis Enrique has relied too much on the MNS trio (Messi - Neymar - Suarez) and underestimated the role of Iniesta - Busquets - Rakitic... Therefore, Iniesta's poor performance is not entirely his fault.

In the current situation, Camp Nou has not brought in any midfielders of high caliber, letting Iniesta leave will leave a gap in the midfield that is difficult for anyone to fill overnight. Even if Barcelona successfully recruits Verratti or Coutinho... the ability of those new players to integrate is still a big question mark. In addition to his professional ability, Iniesta's voice in the dressing room is worth considering for the leaders of Camp Nou.

If Barcelona’s board of directors do not find a way to keep Iniesta, they will continue to make the same mistake they did with defender Alves last season. Alves’ brilliant performance in Juventus’s shirt and Barcelona’s weakness in the right-back position are clear lessons to remind them of Iniesta’s case./.

Thanh Hung