Dani Alves has promised Barcelona will win the League title this season and said it’s time for the club to bring in new blood.
The Brazil international was speaking on RAC 1 and his comments have been published by Marca. Alves touched on his future, the signing of Neymar and the coaching situation at Camp Nou.
Alves’ Barca contract runs until 2015 and he admitted he doesn’t know if he will remain at the club.
“It costs a lot to get to Barca and whoever is hurt by saying this, I’m part of the history of this club,” Alves said.
“We need energy. That’s what motivates me, even though I’m cheerful, happy. I always have been but the results aren’t as people expect.”
Alves added that when he arrived at Barca from Sevilla, the club was in a transition phase and two years went by before a trophy was claimed.
“Then you’re part of the historic club and it seems it has no value,” he lamented.
“I understand that football is a consistent performance but you can’t forget what lies behind. For me to stay here this summer there has to be a change in energy.”
Alves also rued Barca’s failure to add new faces but also asked for the club’s young players to be given time.
“We now have young players. People can’t think that every day we get a Xavi [Hernandez] or [Andres] Iniesta. They’re unique.
“The others are good but might never get where they are. Xavi and Iniesta started to be great at 25 or 26.”
Alves described prospective Barca Coach Luis Enrique as a ‘phenomenon’ as a player and ‘very good’ as a Coach but derided Barca for rushing into important decisions.
“I think this club is often hasty. We should go a little slower, not so fast with things, because the season is not over,” Alves argued.
Alves then turned to the title race, which sees Barca in second place prior to the penultimate round of fixtures.
They trail Atletico Madrid by three points and host Los Rojiblancos on the final day.
“If we don’t win the League then the season is a disaster,” Alves said.
“A lot of opportunities have been given to us and we haven’t taken them. I have 100% trust in this team and I guarantee you we will not fail.”
Alves concluded by giving his thoughts on the signing of Neymar, the controversial deal that claimed the resignation of Sandro Rosell as President.
“Strange things happen at Barca. When Neymar was to join Real Madrid, everyone was angry and sad,” Alves pointed out.
“I don’t know if Neymar has been blown away by all this, but I am. Madrid were going to pay €100m, Barca got him for €57m and people say ‘how awful.’
“Awful would have been paying €100m to come here.”
