Photo by: FOTOMUNTATGE FCB
This summer we saw Spanish team FC Barcelona gain and lose some players during the transfer window. They lost captain Carles Puyol to retirement, Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea, Victor Valdez to free agency, Pinto to retirement and even the exit of head coach Tata Martino after their loss against Atletico Madrid for La Liga Title. Barca almost lost Xavi Hernandez, one of their star players, to New York City FC but kept his services for another season or two. La Blaugrana saw many of their star players go, but they also gained players that will hopefully help FC Barcelona win more trophies. This summer we saw Los Cules sign not one, but two goalkeepers to replace Valdez and Pinto. German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Chilean goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo joined Barca, Luis Suarez joined from Liverpool, while Ivan Rakitic replaced Cesc Fabregas and Jeremy Mathieu became one of the new defenders for Barca. We also saw new head coach Luis Enrique, who played for Barca back in the 1990s, join Barca, but the big talk right now is Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen.
Thomas Vermaelen agreed to a 5-year deal with FC Barca, having the captain defender leave Arsenal and start a new era of his career. At the age of 28, Vermaelen signed with Barca for a transfer of 15 million pounds ($25 million). Vermaelen joined Arsenal back in 2009 from Ajax for 10 million pounds and made 150 appearances for the gunners, and scoring 13 goals. He was one of Arsene Wenger’s picks when it came to games but last year he was troubled by a series of injuries and lost his place at centre-back to Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. With that being said, the Belgium made only 21 appearances in all competitions last term and his former coach admitted this week that the player needed to move on.
Manchester United were also interested in his services but ended their interest after refusing Arsenal’s demand to receive a player as a part of the deal. Wenger would also rather have Vermaelen join Barca instead and helped out Barcelona gain his services.
“Thomas Vermaelen is a natural leader who has captained both Ajax and Arsenal,” said Barcelona’s statement. “He plays at centre-back, and as well as having an impressive physique he is excellent with the ball at his feet and reads the game well.”
With that being said, we should expect great things from Thomas Vermaelen along with Jeremy Mathieu, who also joined Barca this summer from Valencia. Hopefully this helps Barca’s defense who struggled last summer to keep strong teams from attacking. Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano should be ready for big competition for the main spot as centre-backs.
Thomas will finish his signing on Sunday and will be presented as the Catalan club’s player at a news conference following the contract signing.
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