How do Barcelona solve a problem like misfiring Lewandowski?

The incontrovertible fact that João Félix has all of a sudden discovered kind, perspective and targets at Barcelona is dangerous information for Robert Lewandowski. Why? Because it signifies that the highlight should now inexorably flip in the direction of the defending LaLiga champions’ highest-paid, most-experienced however worst-performing participant.

Barcelona are, on the face of it, not in any type of disastrous scenario. They’re 4 factors off the highest in LaLiga and have lastly certified once more for the Champions League knockout rounds after two horrendous seasons by which they first exited the competitors through the group stage after which the Europa League in undignified, and financially unrewarding, circumstances.

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But Barca have been enjoying apathetically, their LaLiga stats are considerably worse than this time final yr and all of the whereas, Lewandowski is misfiring. The champions have scored fewer targets, conceded extra and have fewer factors than at this stage final season.

Lewandowski is symbolic of the decline. We are in December, with a stack of vital Copa and Supercopa dates across the nook and the Poland worldwide hasn’t scored since September in both the league or Champions League. A yr in the past he’d already hit the online 13 instances domestically and 5 instances in Europe. This time period, the numbers are seven and one.

But the problem that plagues Barcelona is not one thing that may be defined by easy statistics. If you had been watching Lewandowski for the primary time, then frankly you’d surprise how on earth somebody so clumsy, gradual and maladroit may play for Spain’s champions. If you had been a scout at a Barcelona recreation fishing for expertise, then you definitely’d mark him as follows: “Lumbering, atrocious first touch, attitude-deficient, do not sign!”

The 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening emphasised most of those traits. Repeatedly arrange with nice scoring possibilities, he bungled each one in all them. Worse, his unenthusiastic, flat and clumsy involvements usually value Barcelona the initiative, caught them offside or just gifted away good possession as a result of his contact was leaden, his cross was brief or his anticipation was boring.

There’s not a trace of malice in my evaluation. Lewandowski has been a fashionable phenomenon and final season, his purpose complete, regardless of not enjoying nicely for many of the second half of the season, was indisputably a central cause for Barcelona successful their first title in 4 years. But if one is employed on this function, then typically it turns into one’s disagreeable responsibility to chop via the fluff and to be unafraid of stating blunt information. Far past his purpose or help complete, Lewandowski is enjoying like a man whose enthusiasm for the place he’s and why he got here right here has dwindled to the purpose that it is apparent on the pitch.

I assume you can have a look at it from his viewpoint. He’s nonetheless famously resentful that he did not win the Ballon d’Or the yr the award was deserted due to the pandemic (2020). He moved to Barcelona with the clear technique that proving himself to be the lacking hyperlink in how a as soon as mighty, however now ailing membership may fabulously resurrect itself due to his greatness would, as soon as seen by the awe-inspired voters, propel him to the Ballon d’Or he so craves.

As a technique, it wasn’t ridiculous. Only two Ballon d’Or wins since 2009 have come from exterior LaLiga — Messi for PSG and for Inter Miami CF. Madrid neither needed nor wanted Lewandowski, he’d despaired of getting the trade adulation he was so determined for by staying within the Bundesliga — which left Barca.

My level about how he really carried out final season, regardless of scoring 23 in 34 LaLiga matches, was borne out by the truth that he did not actually hassle the scorers when it got here to Ballon d’Or voting — he was ranked fifth by judges from nations like Uganda, United Arab Emirates and Equatorial Guinea. Beyond that, he was largely ignored by these from each single “major” soccer nation across the globe.

It’s solely an opinion somewhat than arduous truth, however I feel that is had a fairly devastating affect on this proud, formidable man. His concept about being the resurrection man at Camp Nou arguably went straight out the window due to their Champions League elimination and the technique was useless within the water.

Life at Barcelona is, in any other case, a privileged bubble. The climate’s good, he received two trophies final season and since he was the flagship signing when the membership was rebuilding final summer season (€45m), his wage (as constantly reported by the Catalan media) was €20m in season one, €26m at the moment and can ascend to €32m if he is nonetheless at Barcelona subsequent season. Nice work if you will get it.

A seductive cocktail {of professional} disappointment, dolce-vita private contentment and untouchable standing on this squad has led to the 35-year-old performing and dealing as if the remainder of the group owes him the ball being delivered onto his toes a couple of metres out from an open purpose.

Lewandowski’s degree of integration into the work ethic, the duty he takes for holding the ball up and re-distributing it brilliantly, for creating large possibilities for himself and teammates — all of those are notably poor proper now. And have been for a while. The commentator’s phrase “a heavy first touch” is turning into one reserved for him and him alone.

It’s not arduous to understand supervisor Xavi’s dilemma. He invested a lot in persuading the Pole to decide on Barcelona when he was leaving Bayern Munich and whereas Lewandowski’s enjoying degree deserves him being dropped with the intention to talk a “time to shape up” message, it is both a very daring or very safe coach who begins a civil struggle of that scale.

When Barcelona’s coach talks about his misfiring, underperforming striker he says bizarre, indirect issues about how Lewandowski by no means stops coaching. Well, why ought to he? Phrases which, frankly, solely serve to make the impartial thinker say to himself: “Well, why aren’t Lewandowski’s performances sharper, more interesting or beginning to threaten that they’ll yield good football?”

Barcelona’s monetary scenario is not enhancing massively. It’ll assist to undergo to the Champions League knockout rounds and could be greeted with joyous cartwheels if, for instance, the group may attain the semifinals or higher. It could be massively remunerative however stays a comparatively unlikely prospect. Particularly with Lewandowski stinking the home out.

Nevertheless, Gavi being absent for the remainder of the season signifies that 80% of his wage might be liberated within the title of economic honest play and if the membership can flog off a few extra crown jewels, then they stand a robust likelihood of integrating their 18-year-old Brazilian striker Vitor Roque in January, who will likely be at first on mortgage from Athletico Paranaense then made everlasting in July.

Should they handle this, it will be intriguing to see what results the teenager’s arrival may have. Lewandowski’s strike associate? His substitute up entrance? A supply of envy for the customarily moody Pole or a stimulus to him really doing what he is already so well-paid to do?

Unquestionably the most effective answer for Barcelona and Xavi could be one of many Saudi groups deciding that Lewandowski ought to have his wage doubled — one thing they might do with out blinking — and be transferred out subsequent summer season. Meanwhile, it is excessive time that he dug deep, discovered some further skilled delight and commenced doing even the fundamentals elements of being a central striker nicely once more.