Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has said the club can achieve "big things" this season despite cutting costs after the departure of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann.
Koeman said it was a blow to lose Messi but insisted the team could improve in other areas without him, scoring a hat-trick for the Netherlands on Tuesday to mark a new era at the Camp Nou. The new signers are calling Memphis Depay.
The Dutchman, speaking to Catalan newspapers Dario Sport and Mundo Deportivo, also confirmed that talks have been held on a contract extension, with his deal expiring in 2022.
"There are always things to improve, but I'll tell you one thing: if we have everyone available, we can do big things," Koemann said of Barca's prospects this season after the transfer window closed. Said about
"We have a great team. We still have to be realistic, it will be difficult, but I am optimistic and ambitious."
In addition to Memphis, Barca also added Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Luuc de Jong to the squad this summer without any outlay in terms of transfer fees.
Koman said that de Jong adds a "different profile" to the attack, but it is Memphis, who came free from Lyon, that is generating the most excitement at Camp Nou.
The Netherlands international has scored twice in his first three games for Barca, who have nine to seven points in LaLiga and despite the latter terming his performance as "sloppy", his country's 6-1 win over Turkey this week. He purged three in the win.
"Memphis could mark an era at Barca," Koeman said. "He has something that's needed to be successful here: personality and character. There's something different about him and he's really inspired by the challenge of being here."
President Joan Laporta revealed earlier this week that the Memphis No. 9 shirt is now the best-seller at the club after Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain in August.
Timed to absorb the loss of the six-time World Player of the Year, Koeman is now concentrating on areas where Barca are a better side than having lost to him in his absence.
"It was a huge blow," Koch said. "We had planned the season with him. We lost a lot and it took a few days for things to settle down, but we have to turn the page and build the team.
"Losing Messi doesn't force us to play with different tactics, but without the ball there are things where the team can improve. We will not have the personal quality of Leo, but in suppressing and structuring the team, the team now is better. "
With Messi, Barca's salary bill amounted to 110% of the club's revenue, but after his exit, this summer, among many others, has now reduced to 80%, the 70% demanded by LaLiga's spending limit. close to Rs.15,000, although the gross debt is still €1.35 billion.
Koeman, who was appointed Barca boss in 2020, also revealed that the club met with his agent two weeks ago and proposed a one-year contract extension, although further talks have not yet gained momentum.
"Of course I want to renovate," he said. "Despite the complexities that exist at the club at the moment, I would love to coach Barca for many years. But thanks to our decisions, Barca have young players with a huge future and I hope that, in the next three, four, five years From now on, I can remain their manager."