After years of inconsistency, Barcelona finally set out a master plan to become the best club team in the world and in 2009, that dream became a reality. The foundations that had been laid in 2004 and the influx of talent from the youth academy proved to be a perfect balance. With Pep Guardiola at the helm, the three best players in the world at his disposal - Barcelona conquered the footballing world for three incredible years. But times have changed. The fact that Barcelona didn't win anything last season is not the most worrying aspect when scrutinising the Spanish giants, nor is the transfer policy or the fact that Guardiola is irreplaceable or even the controversial signing of Neymar. Behind the scenes at Barça, the philosophy is changing and that's a problem. The football ideology which was followed without question under Guardiola has been modified and while it's not been completely abandoned, it most certainly has been deviated from. Barcelona do not stand as united as they have before and rumblings of unease continue to rock the club. The resignation of former president Sandro Rosell, the initial transfer ban from FIFA and then Lionel Messi and his father being hit with accusations of tax fraud were all incidents that cut the Catalonia club deeply. Currently, the ongoing debate between Catalonia and Spain threatens to spill over into yet another season, and if Catalonia get their independence, Barcelona will not be able to compete in the Spanish league as the rules stand. All is not well at the club and unless Barcelona can come together as one, it looks like fierce rivals Real Madrid could once again be the favourites for the season ahead.
Barry O' Halloran has been a whatculture writer for the last two years and having recently graduated, now plans on writing about games & movies until his hands fall off. Follow him on twitter!
