The elimination by Morocco in the round of 16 after 0-0 in 120 minutes and penalties, caused the eruption of dissatisfaction throughout Spain. One of the few who looks at that defeat with “calm” eyes is former Barcelona player, and today one of the directors of Blaugrana, Jordi Cruyff.Of course, like everyone, there is no dilemma that “it is always better for a footballer to return home happy, with a sense of success, more self-confidence”, but there is also a more difficult way to go through all that.”It has been shown many times that the better you start the World Cup, the more complicated it becomes later, because of expectations. If instead at the start, you win 7-0 in the third game, then against Morocco you are already going for another big result. It is interesting that the teams that leave the farthest, sometimes they grow after a difficult start. The convincing triumph put more pressure than was necessary,” explains Cruyff in an extensive interview with Catalan Sport.In Qatar too, emphasis is placed on the issue of whether players win matches and teams win tournaments.”We all think about this at the World Cup. It’s true that there are few players capable of making that difference. There are few who you expect to do something (big) when they get the ball. You can count such players on the fingers of one hand. Teams who don’t have such footballers, they depend more on the group as a whole.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6871887##Does Barca have such players, who make a difference?”Barça team has individual quality, players who have proven themselves with goals, but also in the lines behind. We are well balanced, out of 14 games in La Liga they have not conceded a goal in 11, which is a sign of good organization, efficiency. We are also at the top in terms of goals scored, so the team is balanced in that sense.”The midfield is the same as in the national team. However, both teams remained without finals in international competitions, i.e. the Champions League and the World Cup.”Firstly, the trio that plays for Spain is not always the same trio that plays in Barça, which had more players. But it’s a question of balance. Many times the midfielder depends on who is in front and who is behind him.”Does the current Barca model need to evolve?”In today’s football, the ball spends less time in the midfield and more in transition. Twenty years ago, if you won the battle in the middle of the field, you won the game, you won the war. Today, that battle is not so decisive. In the end, strength in defense and attacking are what make you win or lose. That’s the dynamic. As for Barca, we analyzed it. If you look at the signings, their typology and what lines we tried to strengthen, we took steps to compete better in that kind of football .”##EDITORS_CHOICE##What is the situation with De Jong?”There are less and less static, positional ‘sixes’ and more and more moving ‘sixes.’ My father loved those who held that part of the field. These days, they are harder to find, which means there is a trend. Frankie has that characteristic and you can’t tell him not to do it, preventing him from showing one of his best qualities.”Jordi Cruyff: “Signings in January? Laporta was very clear. We are in a complicated situation, almost impossible. It doesn’t make sense to talk about signing players now… But there is still a month to go before the transfer window starts, we’ll see.” pic.twitter.com/Zo7J3a7Lha— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 7, 2022 Barcelona wanted to sell him this summer…”Today it is not talked about. In football, there are moments that are sometimes not defined exclusively by football issues… Financial fair play… Not everyone understands what it is, every week there are changes, and there are situations and decisions that are not only football related…”Did the financial situation force the club to put De Jong on the transfer list?”There was that possibility, because good players always want good teams, that’s how it works. The reality is that he’s here and he’s playing an important role.”There were hints that there was pressure in the club (to sell)…”It doesn’t matter whether it is alluded to or not. The players have their feelings, the clubs have theirs. Then they talk and come to a common theme. The reality is that Frankie has stayed, he is a loved player, people expect a lot from him, because he is very talented and a little different. These are market moments and not only with him, but with everyone, there is FFP, the consequences of not following it are huge. There are calculations that have nothing to do with the pitch. FFP forces you to make (some) decisions.”Will there be a sale soon due to FFP?”I don’t know. This is a question for another department (of the club). FFP in Spain is difficult, more difficult than in any European country. But the rules are there, we have to try to be within what has to be done. And you have to look for solutions from within, and there are many.”Such as?”Balancing the overall mass of earnings.”🎙️🚨🚨| Jordi Cruyff: “The time to sell Frenkie de Jong has passed. He is here and he’s a key player for us. Frenkie is really loved at Barça”. [@sport] #fcblive pic.twitter.com/pbL0mBUPxr— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) December 7, 2022 That’s what Tebas (president of La Liga) is looking for.”Every week, or month, something new appears. It is true that the rules are getting stricter, it is also true that Spanish football is feeling the consequences of it. I am not talking only about Barca. We have to see what is best for Spanish football. Competition with other countries is very fierce…”Will there be new signings?”The president announced that it is very complicated. That is the reality. I am also proud to say that we have 17 players in the World Cup, which means that the team is super competitive. There is always a desire to improve, but in the last transfer window we were able to do what we could. In addition to strict financial fair play, we strengthened the areas that we thought were vital to be able to compete in La Liga and not the Champions League. It shows that we are going in the right direction. Other things will be done when they can. If it can’t be done now, that’s fine, we’ll work with what’s available.”And if the players leave?”It depends on the FFP. Sometimes the departure of one player won’t be enough and you have to think a lot about whether it’s worth it or not.”But that one has to?”We are ready for that.”At least Gavi will be able to be registered for the senior team…”We’ll see. There are still many things that must be done.”What about Balde?”We are delighted with him, and so is he with Barca. He has made a lot of progress. In six months, he fulfilled all possible dreams of a footballer – club and country. It is obvious that we want him long-term.”Jordi Cruyff: “Financial fairplay is not just about football, it’s about the whole club, all the sections of the club together. It’s not about doing the maths to sell one player and sign another. I wish it was like that, but it’s not. It’s a matter for financial experts.” pic.twitter.com/JRJKPhxWq5— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 7, 2022 A contract renewal offer is already being prepared…”We are in talks for a long time – because sometimes contract renewal is not done in a day.”Ansu Fati was at the World Cup, but he did not make a single start (he entered the game twice from the bench). Did Barca ever think about selling him?”No… A few things have to be taken into account. First, I know from personal experience, after a long-term injury at that age, it’s not easy to come back. It’s a long process, to regain confidence in yourself, the team in you … Barca wants him to be at his level as soon as possible and will do everything to help him.”Dembele extended his contract (only) for two seasons. Is there a danger that the summer transfer window soap opera will repeat itself?”It’s interesting. Every week there were rumors that he signed with another club. He always said he wanted to stay. And he stayed. A player has the power to decide. This summer he decided to stay.”Has Busquets informed the club of his decision (is he staying or leaving)?”Busquets is an example on and off the field. He has been at the club for many years and when it comes to a player of his profile, the management is different. We are in constant contact. Obviously, it is another thing if you want to communicate with abroad. That part is not up to us.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6870982##Are you satisfied with the current lineup?”If you take into account that 17 of our players are at the World Cup, then it means that the squad is competitive. Also, analyzing the last years and the changes in current football, we made an important step forward. Of course, everything can be improved and there are always decisions that can to be enacted differently. But, in general, I am satisfied.”Barça is not in the second phase of the Champions League.”We’ve had bad luck with some decisions or internal bad luck (injuries), but the team in La Liga is showing that it can compete and we’re looking forward. That’s also super important… I think people don’t realize that sometimes… And there’s and the age of our footballers. How many minutes do young people play in the top teams in the best leagues? Our footballers play the most minutes. There is the present, but above all there is the future. Because the players grow and progress.”How much does this project need the Champions League consistency?”Let’s see what can be done. Of course we can always evolve and there is room for improvement, because football never stands still, because whoever is static – they are pretty much going backwards. We have to think about always demanding more of ourselves and we are perfecting.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6870963##Have you created a ‘map’ to return to the European elite?”Not directly, because it depends on many factors. Sometimes you have to choose priorities, knowing that you will not meet all the objectives of the sports management. But, the team maintains competitive in La Liga and, if you play well, you know that you have taken an important step to go again in the Champions League.”Is it possible for Messi to return to Barcelona?”When we talk about Messi, there are many questions, such as FFP. Dreams are free, but footballers are not. And it’s not just about Messi, but in general, the whole market is like that. When I think of Messi, it brings me back to my family and my father. When two massive figures make each other great, it is important that the story ends with a final hug. How? When? I don’t know, but I can say, from my own experience, watching my father, that that last hug was important both for him and for Barca. He didn’t always show feelings about this kind of thing, and he had a rebellious character. And he reconciled with Barca… Wow! And I think that when it comes to Messi, it’s important that one day he has that last hug, because both (Messi and Barca) deserve it and both have to make an effort to make it happen,” Cruyff concluded.
