not that easy.
most of Barca's boys have played together through the ranks. They grew up watching Guardiola play under Cruyff. For over two decades, Barca have played more or less the exact same system, the same style, and very similar tactics. The youth team play exactly the same. Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta and co played also played the same style of football together for Spain. They know each other as well as any team on the planet. They look at each other and think, I won the World Cup, the European Cup, Three League Titles, and the Champions League with these guys.
Apart from Hart and Richards, our longest serving players are the likes of Kompany and Zabaleta, who have been here just over 2 years. Less than a year ago, we were playing 'direct' football.
All the money in the world can't buy the shared experience of winning things, and the understanding that comes from playing a particular brand of football with the same people for five, in some cases ten years.
I'm not accusing you of it, but I detest the 'Best squad in the world' attitude. It's bollocks. The strength of a squad is having the right mix for your needs, not the biggest collection of players at the biggest prices. Half a dozen of them are totally unsuited to this sort of football. Look at the keepball sessions vs Fulham and Stoke. Can you ever see Bridge, SWP or Lescott doing that. And there is the small matter of the ultimate quality... one or two perfect players in key positions can make more of a difference than 'good in every position'. There is only one Xavi, only one Messi. You can't just buy whatever is the best on offer that year and think it will be as good. You have to wait for quality, for the exact match for your requirements. Most of the time it will never become available, so you have to develop what you have, shape a few very good players until they are perfect for your team.
I think that's what we're doing now. Kompany and De Jong are really growing into crucial players now. It's no coincidence that they've been here the longest. We're still establishing our style of play. Then we need to win something.... then, maybe then, we might turn in a sparkling Fulham type performance as regularly as the likes of Barca.
