The difference

by Santi Nolla
for El Mundo Deportivo



Barça is having difficulties to sign players this summer, but the really difficult thing is to sell. Until today, FC Barcelona nor Real Madrid has been able to transfer players they don't really count on for next season. Madrid has sold Saviola to Benfica for 5 million euros in a rather curious operation, given the fact that the Argentinian was once the most expensive transfer in the history of Barcelona (around 35 million euros).

The big clubs are buyers, not sellers. It's difficult to sell, especially because of the high wages of the players of both clubs. The deal between the clubs is the easiest part, what scares off most of the buying clubs is the salary they will have to pay the player. Buying the Florentino way, on the other hand, is a piece of cake. There's no negotiation needed. The money asked is put down on the table, the star is given a solid wage package and that's it. The market has suffered from these excesses.

It's not only a matter of money. It's also about the way of operating. Florentino is the one who signs players, he makes a group of media star players, he hands a squad to the coach and the latter just has to pick eleven players, knowing nonetheless that he cannot endanger the assets of the club, as he surely has been told. At Barça, the coach is more the centre of everything. He makes his transfer wish list and depending on the market, the transfers are agreed upon by the club and the coach.

To make ourselves more clear: Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo are offered to Pellegrini, while Guardiola asks for Ribéry and Villa. Florentino only knows one model, that might work, like it did for a while during his first period as Madrid president, although you always have to take into account the strength of the opponent. Back then, Barcelona had to overcome an election process during which Figo left and there was the transfer of Overmars for a record fee. Nowadays, Barça has a treble in their showcase and an established team on the pitch. Every model can work but the necessities of the two teams are different now. That's the real difference.

Madrid has signed Cristiano and Barça goes, among others, after Cesc. The Catalan player would strengthen the model of a club that believes in the youth academy as the main weapon of the future. It's true he was at the club before. Piqué was too. There are players who have to leave to be able to grow. And there are others you need to sell to be able to invest. It's time to buy, and to sell.