Is Barca on the decline?

Is it over?

One of the aftermaths of the loss to Chelsea was the story that Barca were on the decline.  Guardiola's decision to not renew his contract is seen by some as confirmation of the same.  In my opinion, this idea is absurd.  Let's go through some of the most common themes pervading through the internet:

1.  Barca's squad is getting old.
This one is just demonstrably false.  Here's a link to the respective age of Barca's first team squad -
http://www.footbo.com/Teams/Barcelona/Squad

As you can see, other than Xavi, Abidal, Keita and the goalkeepers, all of Barca's first team squad is in their mid to early twenties.  So, let's count this as debunked.

2.  Barca do not have quality substitutes.
There is some truth to this.  But, it's not because Barca's squad lacks quality; it's because their first team squad is absolutely phenomenal! Let's not forget, Messi, Iniesta and Xavi are three of the top 5 players in the world! Obviously replacing them is never going to be easy.  It's like arguing that United suck because no one can step in for Rooney, or that Arsenal are terrible because no one can replace RVP.  Yeah - it's true - but that's because they are incredibly good players.  It's just a pointless criticism.

3.  Guardiola's resignation proves that he does not see a future for the squad.
Again- demonstrably false.  Ever since Pep took over, he has only signed rolling one-year contracts.  He has been hinting at his desire to take a step away from football since early last year.  Yes, even when Barca had won every single thing they could win.  If he did not see a future for the squad, he would not have signed young players such as Sanchez and Affelay.

4.  No one can replace Xavi, Messi and Iniesta
This is somewhat tied to #2, but I consider it a slightly different point; in that Barca actually do have excellent substitutions for all of the above.  In Fabregas, I believe Barca have a ready-made replacement for Xavi.  And, yes, he has not had the most stellar of seasons; but that is because he has been playing on the right hand side in order to accommodate Xavi.  Once Xavi retires, Cesc will undoubtedly replace him and go on to become the best central midfielder in the world.  Messi is the best player in the world.  Period.  But, Barca actually does have players that can complement him/give him a rest - likes of Villa, Affelay, Sanchez, Pedro and the young Tello.  These are all excellent players in their own right, and can be rotated in for either Messi or Iniesta.

5.  They've lost the desire to win.
Yup - the team that is 2nd in the spanish league and reached the semi-finals of the champions league - no desire.  Stupid.

6.  Messi has grown too big for his boots.
Yes, Messi has a slight dark side to him.  but, for someone who literally has the world at his feet, Messi continues to be a model professional off the field; he's rather Scholes like.  He shies away from the media and focuses on football.  He constantly praises his teammates and famously declared that Xavi, and not Messi, should win the world player of the year.

7.  They do not have a Plan B
I mentioned this in my analysis of the Chelsea-Barca game.  But, although true, this is not applicable to a comment on Barca's decline, because this has been true for years now - Barca only play one way.  They will never be able to boot the ball upfield and score.  It's just that, sometimes, the brilliant plan A gives out. And i would argue that that is okay.

So - for all of you prematurely predicting Barca's demise - please go back into your parents' basements.

The end.  Thank your for reading.

Next up - preview of the united-City game.