Does Bojan have a future at Barcelona?

Former Barcelona captain Luis Enrique has signed a 2 year deal to take the reins at the Nou Camp and will look to ring the changes following a barren season without honours under Gerardo Martino.

Following the retirement of Carlos Puyol, out of contract Victor Valdes and a host of squad players allowed to leave, the 44 year old will look to tap into the rich talent pool at the clubs academy La Masia.

When officially presented to the media for the first time as FC Barcelona manager, 'Lucho' said:

“I love to support young players but I demand that they show hunger and ambition. The door is open to all B players, and all the players in the youth teams.”

Enrique spent 3 years as head coach of Barcelona B and welcomes back three graduates of the Catalan's world renowned academy after successful loan spells, Rafinha Alcantara from Celta Vigo, Gerard Deulofeu from Everton and Bojan Krkic from Ajax.

In the curious case of Bojan Krkic, a player with such promise early on in his Barcelona career, has spent the last three seasons out on loan, firstly none other than Enrique brought the striker to Italian side Roma in his maiden managerial role, a stint at AC Milan followed and lastly at Dutch champions Ajax where he helped Frank De Boer's young side claim a fourth consecutive Eredivisie title.

The player has a year left on his Barcelona contract and may be given a lifeline by the new boss after previous regimes left the promising talent in loan market purgatory.

Bojan was handed his Barcelona debut in 2007 by Dutch manager Frank Rijkaard shortly after his 17th birthday, finishing his first season with 10 goals, the youngster broke Raul's record of most goals scored in a debut season.

The following season he scored a combined 5 goals in the Copa del Rey to help the Catalan's lift the trophy for the first time in 11 years. Bojan struggled to find the net consistently in 2009-10 but hit form towards the end of the campaign, notching up 7 of his 8 goals in the final 12 games.

Despite the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the summer of 2010, the young striker found his chances in the first team limited, falling behind Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro in the pecking order.

At the end of the 2010-11 season Bojan had accumulated over 100 appearances for the club, but expressed the need to go out on loan in order to gain more first team football after struggling to nail down a first team place.

Roma agreed to sign him for an initial £11 million with an option to sign the youngster long term for £25 million, Barcelona also installed a buy back price of £13 million. After his first season in Italy, he was allowed to move to AC Milan on a season long loan, which didn't impact on the pre-agreed buy back clause.

The season concluded with both Roma and Milan passing up the opportunity to sign Bojan permanently, thus returning to Barcelona in the hope of resurrecting his Catalan based career.

It proved a false dawn as he was loaned out to Ajax for the 2012-13 campaign. Amassing 24 appearances, starting 17 and contributing 4 goals on route to Amsterdam's 33rd league crown.

He returns to the Nou Camp with his future up in the air, at still only 23 he has bags of potential and is thought to be held in high regard by those at Barcelona. He may be a prime candidate to help the Barcelona rebuilding project but after his promising career has stuttered whilst out on loan so too his reputation, the Catalan's may wish to cash in, with Liverpool among the teams rumoured to be interested in the player.

The Spaniard of Serbian descent commented on his future: “We'll see what happens, I've really enjoyed this season and I have to assess the pros and cons. Back to Barca is obviously an option, I have a year on my contract with the club.

“We'll see, I must evaluate the best for me and my progression.”

As the all conquering Barca side of the last decade looks fractious and set to disperse, the club is allegedly willing to listen to offers for the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Dani Alves, however this is no guarantee those players mentioned will leave.

The appointment of Enrique is not the only restructuring at Barcelona, with former first team assistant under Tito Villanova, Jordi Roura being named director of youth football, while physical fitness manager Aureli Altimira will take up a new role as youth system coordinator.

Bojan highlighted that wherever he plays in future, he would take with him "The philosophy, style of play and passion for the game" that he has experienced in Amsterdam.

Milan v Chievo

AC Milan followed up a midweek win against Fiorentina with a Kaka inspired 3-0 victory to take all 3 points in the San Siro against Chievo.

From the outset both sides were buoyed by midweek results, with Chievo claiming victory against relegation rivals Bologna.

However it was Milan who started the stronger at high tempo with a succession of short snappy passes.

The ‘flying donkeys’ barely got out of the traps before super Mario Balotelli got the Rossoneri off to a perfect start by netting inside 4 minutes from close range.

Adel Taarabt threatened soon after with a shot from just outside the area, parried by Michael Agazzi, his direct running proving a problem for Chievo.

After a fast paced start where Milan exercised home dominance, Chievo whose away record this season has been woeful, edged back into the game with a spell of better ball retention.

Nevertheless, Milan looked capable of unlocking the door to the visitor’s defence each time they ventured forward.

On 27 minutes, Kaka rolled back the years on his 300^th appearance for AC Milan with a goal, after some great team build up, the Brazilian chested the ball down from an exquisite pass by Keisuke Honda and slotted past the keeper from 5 yards.

Kaka continued his renaissance moments later with some trademark midfield work, despatching a through ball into the path of Balotelli who squared in the box for Honda to make it 3-0, only for the Japanese captain to blaze over the bar.

Before the game, Milan manager Clarence Seedorf talked about a need to show consistency and continuity in order to put a run of results together if they’re to salvage something from this torrid season.

The 18 times Serie A winners had clearly listened to the Dutchman, who picked up where they left off after the break.

A set piece from Kaka on 54 minutes found the head of Honda, who brought a reflex save out of Agazzi, however, the ball came back to Kaka who had time to compose himself, rifling a right foot curling shot beyond the Chievo goalkeeper.

From that point on Milan were comfortable, and continued to keep a stranglehold on the game.

Man of the moment Kaka would not complete his hat trick after being substituted for fellow countryman Robinho on 73 minutes but that by no means tainted a memorable performance and the fans let him know with a standing ovation.

Rumour has it Kaka may be leaving the Rossoneri at the end of the season, with a move to the MLS potentially on the cards.

On this performance, Seedorf and Chief Executive Adriano Galliani may look to offer the talismanic midfielder an improved contract to stay at the San Siro for at least another season.

The referee threatened to take the shine off the result by giving Chievo a penalty in added time, following Zaccardo’s challenge on Thereau. Replays showed it was nothing more than a 50/50 tackle.

Thereau hit the bar with his effort from 12 yards and the clean sheet along with the 3 points were Milan’s.

Club in Transition or Crisis?

Parma defeat at San Siro, first time in 17 years

A football club in ‘crisis’ of whom wear red and black is being banded around a lot lately, however it’s not the borough of Manchester I’m referring to, but the province of Milan.

The Rossoneri slumped to a fourth straight defeat earlier today at home to Parma, the first time in 17 years ‘the crusaders’ have claimed victory at the San Siro.

Fans protested on mass before the game at how the club is being run, Chief Executive Adriano Galliani has come in for major criticism over recent signings, while Mario Balotelli has been among the targets of protest.

Post game a number of ‘Ultra’ fans engaged in a private meeting to voice their concerns with Galliani, Seedorf and players such as Balotelli and Kaka.

“It was a very peaceful meeting,” Seedorf told Sky Sport Italia. “After two years of suffering, they wanted to express their feelings.

“There is great respect for the Milan shirt on the part of everyone. Sometimes it helps just to listen and give the fans a voice, so they know we hear them.”

But I’m far from being a glass half empty kind of guy, so lets be realistic.

The previous three defeats came against Serie A leaders Juventus, Udinese who have lost only once in there last six games and away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Think we are all aware of Atletico’s capabilities both in La Liga and Europe this season.

So it’s been a tough run in to say the least for Clarence Seedorf and his band of not so merry men of Milan.

However, there’s a far bigger issue at work here than just last four games.

Therefore, I find the criticism from some sections of the Italian press as misguided, vindictive and naïve.

Don’t get me wrong - I understand their frustrations, it’s been a campaign to forget and far from what one would constitute a ‘Milan’ type performance over the course of a season. But this isn’t necessarily a Milan type squad.

Milan didn’t do themselves any favours against Parma, true, if your goalkeeper is sent off within the first five minutes you’ll naturally be on the back foot, it’s a game changing circumstance.

The referee had no choice of course, Abbiati was left floundering, and his positioning made bringing down Ezequiel Schelotto unavoidable.

Former Milanese striker Antonio Cassano netted the resulting spotkick.

Thereafter, Milan’s defensive frailties this season became immediately magnified and despite Balotelli striking the woodwork, the Rossoneri found themselves 0-2 down six minutes into the 2nd half. A hint of déjà vu and the game looked over.

Not so, Milan to their credit showed some real fighting spirit, substitute Adil Rami, arguably the clubs best player this season, pulled one back five minutes later.

The vilified Balotelli levelled from the penalty spot on 76 minutes.

Cancelling out the 2-goal deficit with 10 men, no one can pick holes in the teams desire and determination. They want to play for Seedorf, that’s very apparent.

Nevertheless, within 90 seconds of Balotelli’s leveller from 12 yards, striker Amauri went up the other end making it 2-3 to Parma, a killer blow.

With the wind out of Milan’s sails; former Inter academy product Jonathon Biabiany ended any hopes of a successful Milan fight back with a fortuitous diving header in the 90th minute.

Parma move up to fifth in Serie A, while Milan, languish uncharacteristically in eleventh.

Milan are a team low on confidence, that’s clear to see, but the off field protests and front office upheaval coupled with staff and player ins and outs haven’t exactly had a positive impact on this season.

The squad lacks identity and cohesion; values I feel can only flourish in the close season.

Seedorf needs time to mould the squad into how he wants them to play, to implement his philosophy, these things don’t happen overnight.