Why This Signing Was A Huge Mistake By Barcelona

Why This Signing Was A Huge Mistake By Barcelona
11:30, 25 May 2018

Yerry Mina arrived at Barcelona in January to a huge fanfare and thousands of Colombian supporters at the Camp Nou.

An amiable demeanour endeared him immediately to his new teammates and paymasters, whilst his dancing was a hit with the fans.

As the first Colombian to ever put on the Blaugrana, the money men at the club would’ve known that a new captive audience was therefore available to them, and with their patronage would come a new revenue stream.

Though he could’ve been purchased this summer for as little as €9m, the club didn’t want to run the risk of him having a great World Cup and then be taken from under their noses.

An actual spend of close to €12m to get him early still represents a drop in the ocean for players at the highest level in today’s market mind.

At least Barcelona thought that was what they were getting, because in truth, Mina has looked out of place and out of his depth from the get go.

One has to accept that at 23, and not having played in a top European league before, that the defender would have some adapting to do, but his complete lack of nous on the pitch has been exposed in every game he’s played.

Take the Levante match from a couple of weeks ago - the only league game that Barca lost in the whole season.

At least three of the goals conceded were directly down to Mina because he didn’t hold his position and as such, left gaping holes for the opponents to take advantage of.

He offers height and physical presence yes, but at Barcelona, a skill set that includes calm authority, rather than headless chicken, is a pre-requisite.

The things he could do at Deportivo Pasto, Santa Fe and Palmeiras, he can’t get away with in La Liga.

With Ernesto Valverde almost steadfastly refusing to play him, questions were asked of the coach but, clearly, he’d seen Mina’s limitations long before the general public.

Mina himself has admitted that he’s found life difficult but that he is ready and willing to learn.

However, with rumours that Barcelona are looking at buying Sevilla’s Clement Lenglet for €30m, it appears the Colombians days could be numbered.

Fortunately, it’s an inexpensive mistake, but a mistake nevertheless.

With other signings over the past couple of years not quite working out either, sporting director, Robert Fernandez, could well follow Mina out of the exit door.

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