You need good scouting for that,a good analytics department, and most importantly their work to filter in our transfer policy
Do we have that? NO
We don't know exactly what's going on inside the club in our sporting department but I don't think scouting or analitics are the biggest problem. We always reportedly have good informations about certain players who become good or great in other clubs (although clearly what's reported in media always has to be taken with a grain of salt) but rarely move for these players and sign someone else instead who usually turns out not so good. So it's more about people who make final decisions. Cruyff and even more so Xavi right now and multiple SDs that have changed in last few years before them although I do believe Ramon Planes was quite good but he wasn't here long enough - and probably didn't have the last say in most decisions anyway - and in times of financial struggles and biggest transition we've had in last 20 years. Now I'm not saying he's perfect or anything but at least that man had around two decades of experience as an actual SD, granted mostly in smaller La Liga clubs and some time at Tottenham as well but at least he wasn't learning how to do his job here like Abidal for example.
In normal circumstances Barca should never be used as a learning curve for rookie coaches or SDs. But we're doing exactly that and not for the first time. It's beyond my understanding why we gave unproven coach Xavi also so much power as our de facto SD. Sure, Alemany is the one negotiating with clubs and agents from a financial standpoint but all new signings were handpicked by Xavi. And he got almost everyone he wanted except for Azpi (he'd probably be better than Bellerin but clearly not a difference maker either, in fact it's probably better we've signed Hector as he'll most likely only be here for one year).
I was sceptical about paying as much as we did for Lewy at his age but he's clearly our best player right now and we'd again be a midtable team without his goals. Can't do everything on his own against better teams though. Still debatable if it wouldn't be better longterm if we'd keep Auba and/or LDJ for another year and rather invest into RB and DM and also potentially bring a cheap younger striker to groom him into the team. But OTOH this would probably send a message we're in a rebuild which Laporta and Xavi didn't want to do despite most of realistic fans knowing our situation.
Love the Kounde signing and as long as he stays healthy I think he'll end up as one of the best signings in last decade. Would be ok getting Raphinha for 25m if Leeds would be relegated but thought we shouldn't go into a bidding war with EPL clubs for him. Don't think he's a bad player and hopefully will start to do better when he fully adapts but we've basically spend 120m on two RWs in last 9 months to be benched by a guy who we wanted to push out of the club in January. Didn't mind signing AC and Kessie as free agents either. Both can become useful squad players and are in the age range where we don't have many players. Most of our players were either over the hill veterans or inexperienced kids so signing two guys who should be in prime years makes sense in theory.
So I think Xavi at least had some plan in his head but he just can't execute it. Clearly injuries in defense and having to play Pique against Inter didn't help. Same with this being a strange year with WC in November. In usual season we'd now be only half way through group stage and I think having Kounde for example available against Inter would make a world of difference. As would taking our chances in Munich and get at least a point if not a win then things could turn out different.
But all that said Xavi is clearly the most responsible for what's happening. Don't blame him for CL exit last year but now this is basically a team he wanted and he can't get enough out of them. And that's mostly because he puts way too much trust into players who have already proven they are not up to the task. First one is obviously the ancient one and second is Dembele imo (which I'm sure you'll disagree with but agree to disagree then).
As I've already said in the past I'd prefer maybe a bit less talented guy (Dembele has talent in his legs but no brain to use it properly) who wouldn't be as explosive but can still get past his defenders and make right decisions most of the times. And also be more consistent. Now that injuries finally seems to be behind him the only consistent thing with Dembouz is his inconsistency. He can be unplayable when he's on his game but that usually happens in La Liga against defenders he can beat purely with his pace. Whenever we face a team that's organized and defend as a unit and he'd need to use his head he's mostly useless. Clearly not a guy you want to build your attack around or give him as much freedom as he usually gets from Xavi.
