Barca clutch keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Published:It has been a busy few days at Barcelona football club. Following their draw final day of the season draw against Atletico Madrid which ended their hopes of winning La Liga, manager Tata Martino was swiftly replaced with former fans favourite, Luis Enrique. As a result, they are second favourites at 11/8 to win the 2014/15 Spanish top flight.
Key for the hierarchy at the Catalan club, was quickly restoring confidence among the fans as well as the playing staff. Having recently tied star player Lionel Messi down to a new contract extension, centre half Gerard Pique quickly followed with a new four-year deal.
It hasn’t stopped there. Recognising the need for steady progress, sporting technical director, Andoni Zubizarreta has already put plans into place for summer recruitment, following the lifting of a transfer embargo.
Talented German goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen has been signed from Borussia Monchengladbach, as a replacement for the long-serving Victor Valdes who has left the club.
The 22-year-old is expected to mount a challenge for the number one spot in the German national team, a position currently held by Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer – six years Ter Stegen’s senior.
Barca’s newest signing had mixed feelings about his move, though on the whole was excited by the new challenge: “I have been in this club (Monchengladbach) for 18 years. I know that after the summer break life will go on, both for me and Borussia; but it’s a weird feeling, because I’m going to miss Borussia.”
It has also been revealed that Jose Manuel Pinto has left the club, after standing in for the injured Valdes for the last month, so a more experienced keeper could be on the radar to offer cover for the new German.
Enrique is obviously seen as the man that can reinvigorate what has looked like a tired Barca side this campaign. Midfielder Xavi Hernandez is not the player athletically, that he once was, and a new long-term replacement will need to be identified.
For now, it seems the club have established strong foundations to build on. They are in safe hands.
