The transfer that pulled Barça’s season off
The signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal was not planned by Barça for the transfer window opening into the winter season, but the Gabon international was waiting for the Blue Granada’s offer. But the forward wanted a taste of the Spanish league and all expectations were exceeded by his start to his Catalan career.
Stryker made a hat-trick in the 1st match of the regular season, allowing himself to become the most recognisable player at the start. In addition, he has been beneficial to the entire squad. The forward, whose career in London seemed to be on the decline, was able to rebuff the critics. Becoming the best striker in a matter of months for the club. He netted 13 times in all competitions.
He scored 5 goals in 6 starts for the team in La Liga. He made his debut as a newcomer to Barcelona in early March after a goal defeat at Osasuna. Depay’s achievement could be beaten by Aubameyang, who had managed 4 goals against rivals in the Premier League half a season before moving to Barcelona and had become unwanted by the Arsenal management.
Barça had other plans
No one had any idea that the player would settle so well in the team. The club’s coach questioned whether a player of a similar profile would actually fit into the Catalans’ scheme: at the Camp Nou it is customary to play without a speedy striker in a central position. Xavi has said that Aubameyang is the best player to show real class on the pitch.
The transfer of the centre-forward, according to the coach, was his main wish of the team back at the beginning of January. Morata from Juventus is also on the list of potential newcomers. Torres was acquired from the Citizens. But, unfortunately, he is more of a wing player and therefore the role of centre-forward is not for him.
Barça have been taking more concrete steps in the transfer market for a month. Many members of the management team listen to the coach, the sporting director as well as the head of the international department, and so their votes were crucial. With the appointment of Xavi as coach, Cruyff’s influence has been palpable as they share the notion that the team needs attacking players.
They specifically contracted players from the Premier League because the players have good physical attributes. After the purchase of Pierre-Emerick, Barcelona could not stop and made another raid on the English Premier League. Wolverhampton’s Adam Traore was loaned out in the final week of the transfer window.
Obmeyang was not part of the plans to buy, having been offered to Barcelona in the pre-signing period. The Blues-Grenadier management were delighted with the opportunity to add a player with experience and unique qualities to the club’s squad at an attractive cost. “Arsenal were considering breaking their partnership with the player, while the Gabon man himself thought he was facing a pay cut.
Neither side were confident of a successful deal, even on the last day of the transfer window. The forward delayed the move with all his might – flying out to Barcelona on his own initiative. The Catalan management were surprised to learn that the player was on his way to Spain.
French and Italian clubs were not opposed to taking the Gabonese into their squad. The club’s management allowed him to leave the team at the very end of term and a deal from Barça followed the next morning.
The rookie became an asset to the team very quickly
The last day of the transfer window could bring a lot of problems. Some of the new players took a long time to get used to the field, and no one would have guessed that many of them would never fit into Barça’s schemes. Even the famous Suárez had to spend more than 560 minutes on the pitch in 8 meetings before he started scoring against his opponents.
Pierre-Emerick’s first two appearances from the bench did not have the desired effect. Against Atlético Atlético, Aubameyang simply ran around the pitch on the front flank as the Blue-Grenadiers were not at full strength and sought to defend their own goal. Seven days later, he was able to go out for 35 minutes against Espanyol with 5 touches, and not once did he score a goal.
The Barça coach was not disappointed with Aubameyang as he enjoyed the striker’s work in training. In the next match, it was decided to release the young Gabonese early in the game, and on 23 minutes he did his somersault in a Blue-Grenadier shirt. Before half-time was called, he made his 2nd goal and the third goal was credited to him after Pedri made a long-range shot.
In 2020, the Al Sadd coach doubted the necessity of signing the Gabonese, a story Xavi often recalls to Aubameyang. But it must be said that the new Barça are very different from the club that used to be. Circumstances dictated updates that the coach had to adjust to. After a triple raid on the PL, they are playing straightforward and upright football.
After a conflict with his former mentor, the Gabonese moved to Spain completely different. Now the smile never leaves his face. Aubameyang makes no negative remarks towards his former employer.
Arsenal no longer motivated the Gabonese
The player has constantly had a strained relationship with his coach, but it finally soured in the final months of 2021. He was late to the Canaries’ camp saying that his ailing mother required his care. Such a disciplinary offence resulted in the punishment of taking away the captain’s armband and sending the striker off to train on his own.
Let’s start at the beginning, Obameyang is actually half Spaniard. The footballer himself spent his entire childhood in France, where his Gabonese father began his career in football. Pierre has an excellent command of the language and has quickly developed a rapport with teammates and coaches.
The media have not been so good: after the switch to the Catalans occurred, the striker was reminded of his love affair with Real Madrid. In February 2016, he told a journalist that he had promised a relative of his that he would one day play for Madrid. That season, the player managed 39 goals in 49 games for Borussia Dortmund.
In September 2017, the player went on to beg to sign for Real Madrid. Two months later, he was able to score for Borussia in the group stage of the Champions League, but unfortunately the transfer never materialised.
Aubameyang has the confidence and instincts that make him an indispensable forward, but at the moment it is too early to say he is important for Barça.
The Gabonian was the main player to save the season for the team. The Catalans have broken through in the Euroleague and will qualify for next season’s Champions League. Obameyang is not answering media questions about his future.
