Deco outlines Barcelona’s objectives: “Fight for all titles, control of the world market for young players”

Joan Laporta’s extempore speech at the Barcelona General Assembly earlier today shook the world. Yet, he was not the only dignitary to provide an update on the club’s situation at the awaited event.

As part of the proceedings, Rafa Yuste, the vice president of the club, presented Deco as the new Sporting Director to the assembly of delegates. The Brazilian went on to provide an update on the sporting sector of the club and the operations over the past months.

Deco began his speech by providing an outline of the sports organisational chart, right from Joan Laporta at the top to the managers at the grassroots levels.

On the organisational chart

“We need perfect coordination, knowing all the players well. Bojan will do a job that is fundamental for the club, which is the follow-up of the loaned players. We can’t loan the players and forget about them,” he then said on the importance of the system.

“Alexanko continues to lead grassroots football and Paulo Araujo and Franc Carbó are still in their positions,” he added.

Deco then highlighted the importance of having former players involved in the administration and management.

“I see an organizational chart with many people from the club, involved; I see football people like Xavi and Rafa [Marquez], people who also know the greatness of this club.”

On the summer operations

Moving on to the topic of recent operations at the club involving player movements, the new sporting director first enlisted the players who left the club on a permanent basis.

“Resignations of Umtiti, Piqué, and Alba, plus Busquets, who ended his contract. They are legends and losing these players is not easy.”

“Then the loan exits of Dest, Lenglet, Ansu, Eric, Pablo Torre, Julián Araujo, Estanis, Valle and Chadi. Estanis and Chadi still count, but we gave them up because they didn’t have a place on the team right now,” he added, enlisting the players who left on loan.

Deco went on to wind up the list of players who moved out of Catalonia, saying: “Transferred, Abde and Nico, but with the option of repurchase; and the unexpected departure of Dembéle. Also departures of Kessie, Trincao, Collado.”

Having comprehensively covered the list of players to have left, the administrator swiftly proceeded to name players who had arrived or signed new contracts with the club.

“Ter Stegan, Peña, Lamine, Balde, and Fermín; the incorporations of Iñigo and Gündogan free and Joao Félix and Cancelo, ceded. The only player we have signed by transfer has been Oriol Romeu.” 

“The players show that they still want to succeed at Barça,” he added.

On the economic situation

Towards the end of the summer transfer window, there were reports of the club having insufficient space on the FFP to register new signings. Deco explained the same and named the primary reason behind the setback.

“We had difficulties because of the issue of ‘fair play’ and the unexpected departure of Dembélé, but the young Fermín and Lamine have given us peace of mind in the squad.”

Adding to Laporta’s already elaborate speech on Barça’s economic situation and the positive developments over the past few months, Deco said,

“In this market, there is a saving of €161 million of the salary mass; the total sports cost goes to €416 million, 54% on recurring income, the lowest in recent years without giving up titles.”

“The objectives of the management are the control of viability and costs, a salary policy with meritocracy, balance, and adaptation to the market, and salaries by titles,” he added.

Finally, the sporting director was asked what the team’s goals were for the coming season, to which he did not hold back.

“Fight for all the titles; maintain the Barça style; an unwavering commitment to La Masia; control of the world market for young players,” he concluded, citing Vitor Roque as an example for the last objective.

Source: Mundo Deportivo