Barcelona director Deco talks Raphinha, Rodri, Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus, Lewandowski, Mourinho

Barcelona director Deco talks Raphinha, Rodri, Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus, Lewandowski, Mourinho Speaking to the media at the Portugal Football Summit, FC Barcelona sporting director Deco addressed several important topics related to the club. The former Portugal international was the architect of what turned out to be a very successful summer transfer window for the Blaugrana . And Deco discussed in detail about Barça’s planning and strategies that led to them signing the players that they brought in. On Rodri and Joao Cancelo It goes without saying that Rodri was the marquee summer signing for Barcelona, with the club beating Real Madrid to his acquisition. Talking about the World Cup winner’s transfer, Deco highlighted how Barça are one of the most appealing clubs for top players, saying: “First of all, I think we’ve recovered that desire among players to come to Barcelona. That’s very important for us. “In the last three years… we’ve won, and I think all the players who see Barcelona playing football and want to enjoy it will want to join the club.” Continuing, he added: “When players see what we’re doing, I think it’s easier to convince them to come to us. In Rodri’s case, it was different because he was everything at City. They helped Rodri leave because it was his wish.” Former Man City teammates reunited at Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Barça made another experienced signing in the form of Joao Cancelo, who was signed permanently after a successful second loan spell at the club. Hailing his fellow Portuguese, Deco said: “Joao has the quality to play in any position, he is one of the best full-backs in the world, technically, he is one of the most brilliant of recent years. “I think Barcelona is a perfect fit for what he is, at heart, Barcelona is about technical quality.” On Raphinha’s new role Barcelona’s top priority for the summer, though, was the signing of a new striker, with Julian Alvarez having been identified as their main target. But the transfer did not materialise due to Atletico Madrid’s refusal to sell, which led Barça to improvise, as they opted to sign Gabriel Jesus as a low-cost backup, while moving Raphinha to the No. 9 position. Discussing the club captain’s new position and role, Deco explained: “Last season we discussed this with Hansi; one of his ideas was to try and field a number nine. “We didn’t know exactly what would happen, because it’s different even for the player; he used to play as an attacking midfielder or winger. When we decided to make a tactical change for Anthony (Gordon), we knew that both he and Karim needed to play. “ Continuing, he added: “The idea was to find him another position, perhaps as a number 10 or a number 9. We’re happy because we’ve discovered a new side of Raphinha. But the most important thing is that he’s happy too. “Playing this role is different; sometimes he doesn’t get the ball constantly—unlike when you play as a winger, where you have the ball most of the time—so the dynamic changes. He has to be ready to attack behind the defenders.” Deco delighted by Raphinha’s brilliant start. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) Expressing his surprise at how brilliant Raphinha has been at the start of the season, he noted: “We didn’t expect him to perform so well—or at least not at this level—but his quality is exceptional, enormous; that’s why I think he can play there.” On signing Gabriel Jesus During the chat, Deco also made it clear that Raphinha’s move was not linked with the failure to sign Julian Alvarez , while also hailing the impact of Robert Lewandowski at the club.. “Julian’s situation has nothing to do with Raphinha’s. This season, a player who, in my opinion, is a different kind of number nine, the best number nine, Robert Lewandowski, left,” he said. “Robert gave everything for Barça, we won titles, but it was time for a change, and he needed that too.” “The idea was always to bring in a mobile number nine, capable of linking up with teammates, and Julián was one of those players. It wasn’t possible, we made an offer. The club always said they wouldn’t sell him, and we had to look for other solutions.” This situation eventually led to the club activating the option of Gabriel Jesus, as Deco explained: “Gabriel Jesus wasn’t in our plans, as we didn’t know his situation because there was a lot of talk about him renewing, and the moment we decided that Julian was impossible, we started looking for solutions, and Gabriel was perfect for us.” Praising the Brazilian striker, he further added: “Gabriel Jesus, I think he’s a top player. He wasn’t playing many games at Arsenal. “Sometimes, when you make a change, you get new motivation, a new club, new teammates, so this is something important for Gabriel, and we’re happy to have him. And I think they were two moves from different situations.” On Mourinho, Real Madrid and refereeing controversy During the chat, Deco also touched upon Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid, who have begun a new era under Jose Mourinho. Welcoming his compatriot to La Liga, the Barça director said: “It’s good to have him in the Spanish League, as an opponent he’s more complicated, but I’m happy. “I’m happy for him, because I think he’s one of the best coaches in history, he’s at Real Madrid, with the best clubs in the world, it’s good, it’s a great challenge for everyone.” Mourinho is back at Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) The former Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder also addressed Mourinho and Real Madrid’s controversial comments complaining against the refereeing following their recent loss to Atletico Madrid, saying that the Catalans are only focused on themselves. “It doesn’t worry us. I think we have to look at ourselves. Obviously, there will always be controversial refereeing decisions, there will always be favorable decisions, sometimes for one team and sometimes for the other, and sometimes I don’t think it’s proportional. “I think it’s something that referees lose; it can happen at any time. There’s VAR, which came to correct many things, but at the same time, sometimes it doesn’t.” Continuing, he added: “In short, controversial refereeing decisions will continue to exist; it’s a historical thing in Spain, in Italy, and everywhere. In short, we’re not going to be the ones to end up changing this. “I think transparency, that things are clear, is always important, but I don’t get involved in that. We at Barcelona look at ourselves. We’re always going to do what’s within our reach, try to improve every day. I can’t comment on what happens on the other side.” Source: AS