FC Barcelona Want To Clear Out Their Underperforming Squad, Even If It Means Terminating Contracts

FC Barcelona want to clear out their underperforming squad, even if that means terminating the contracts of some stars prematurely, according to reports.

Hammered 8-2 on Friday, during a Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern Munich that was their darkest night in history on the continent, the Blaugrana were outperformed in every facet of the game by their Bavarian foes with defender Gerard Pique the first to make calls for a restructuring.

“I’m in pain. We all are. We can’t compete like that. It’s very, very tough to take. Nothing more is worth saying. The club needs changes. Not just the players, I don’t want to point out anyone,” it was admitted to Spanish broadcaster Movistar.

“But football is a sport where change is constantly required. We must change the dynamic we are on because I believe we have just hit rock bottom. We have to look around, we have to trust that people will do the right things for the club,” Pique continued, before offering his own departure if that’s what it takes to get the Catalans back on track.

In the aftermath of the humiliating loss, reports from several outlets have pointed towards a total clear out by top brass at the conclusion of a first trophyless season since 2007/2008.

SPORT attest that Barça “have put most of their squad up for sale after the Bayern horror show”, while AS correspondent Javier Miguel writes on Sunday morning that no less than seven players will not continue to ply their trade at the Camp Nou.

Namely, they are Arthur, who has already agreed to join Juventus, Junior Firpo, Ivan Rakitic, Martin Braithwaite, Samuel Umtiti, Arturo Vidal and Ousmane Dembele.

And while SPORT and rival local publication Mundo Deportivo routinely agree on little, both newspapers are firm in their belief that only Lionel Messi, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Frenkie de Jong are safe from being moved on, which means 2019 marquee signing Antoine Griezmann could also be sold for the right price to the likes of PSG.

SPORT add Clement Lenglet to the shortlist, while MD also contribute academy pearls Ansu Fati and Riqui Puig, but it is clear that the general consensus tips Barça for a major refubishment as a new cycle begins with the firing of coach Quique Setien.

On Sunday morning, Gabriel Sans of the latter outlet speaks of how some heavyweights such as Luis Suarez, with a year or two left on their current deals, could even have their contracts terminated.

Perhaps one day, as strange a thing as this appears to say now, this weekend’s dismantling may be looked upon as a blessing in disguise should success follow.

The last time such a major overhaul was enforced, at the end of the 00s, the Pep Guardiola era was ushered in and the tiki-taka dynasty which takes us to the present day through Luis Enrique’s treble was enjoyed by Culers worldwide.

Perhaps lightning might strike twice, or, on the other hand, misery continues and Barça further dismantle as a fading superclub force.