Afellay says goodbye to the season: Do you have to sign the club?

Which became the twelfth player Pep Guardiola since his arrival last winter market, Ibrahim Afellay, has received the worst news that a player can take. The Dutch midfielder was injured during the afternoon session yesterday and will be at least six months out. The reason the anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered in his left knee, which forced him to undergo surgery and increases the already inhabited nursing Barcelona.

It is still, of course, a good year for Pep Guardiola as to setbacks. The durable low Carles Puyol, who finally begins to get into the team, have joined a plague of injuries that have reduced the coach's plans. Relapses are planned on the muscle itself Afellay before this Thursday on Adriano, Pique-unpublished-, Alexis Sanchez and Andres Iniesta. The latter two have to be two months away from the pitch.

The absence of signing Barcelona Afellay allow an alternate take his card. I read in some media that there is interest in Rossi (Villarreal) and Robben (Bayern Munich). They are obviously two great players, but do not think the coaching staff has thought to strengthen the staff, at least for now. One, because, as acknowledged in the presentation Zubizarreta Cesc, there is no more money to buy players. Two, because Guardiola, although low, has more options.

Furthermore, the two names I mentioned as possible replacements seem to me impossible. Rossi is a player like Pep, but he would ask Villarreal (it did this summer), would exceed any expense for what was supposed to be a patch. And Robben, adding more of the same fragility precisely at the time of injury. A devil's left hand, yes, but conditional on a vulnerability on the pitch that certainly does not need Guardiola.

In addition, and necessary, in the Barcelona B also expect several players eager to have participated this summer in the preseason or suggest ways, but unless urgent, and knowing the versatility of the current squad, it is difficult for players like Sergio Roberto, Isaac Cuenca, Kiko Femenía, Cristian Tello or even leapfrog Gerard Deulofeu at this point and what is at stake. Which is also candy is about to Jonathan Soriano, the 'veteran' subsidiary striker this summer also injured when Pep was relying more on their services.

That said, I do not need that Barcelona have to resort to market to replace Afellay. Except as bargain-Ibi-was himself about a year ago, it would be best to wait until the river gets back on track, the injury to heal and build the thousand and one avant-garde alternatives offered by Barça. That, while others lurk not as fit as Messi, Cesc, Thiago, Xavi ... That touch wood.

Photo | Freddy Monteiro