and should sell villa, pedro, keita, affellay, and i really think we should sell sanchez

Besides that, we certainly need a new DC because Puyol isn't getting any younger and Mascherano (although he's doing a fantastic job) is probably too small for set pieces. I would put all my money on Thiago Silva. He's the best option along with Kompany, but I don't see him leave as he's City captain and they'll keep on buying big players until they win the Premier League.

I've read a lot of rumours concerning David Luiz but I really hope they are false. Luiz is the biggest joke in the Premier League. Maybe he did ok with Benfica in Portugal, but whenever I watch 'Match of the Day' Alan Hansen and the other analysts are nearly laughing with him. His positioning is awful so he would be a total liability at the back.

When Villa and Afellay recover we'll have at least one back up for every position in midfield and attack so why buy another player for those positions?

But for Muniesa, Bartra and JDS, are they joining the first team to get playing time (like Cuenca) or to serve some sort of extended apprenticeship under the first team coach (like Fontas)? This makes a huge difference with respect to the recruitment plans.

For example, if it is intended that Muniesa will play, then recruitment of a capable defender to play on the left is not so important. Jordi Alba might then be a good acquisition to use as a dynamic attacking option at left back, or on the left of midfield in a 3-4-3 formation. But if Muniesa isn't really a playing option, Alba cannot be seen as a serious replacement for Abidal – and given the uncertainty of Abidal's future, I'm sure our plans must ensure that Abidal's role can be covered appropriately.

Similarly, our plans for a central defender will depend on how serious the team is about making use of Fontas and Bartra. With Pique, Puyol and Mascherano, we have three exceptional center backs. Puyol might be aging, and so depth in this position is important. But if we buy Thiago Silva or Matts Hummels as everyone suggests, then it practically guarantees no playing time for Bartra or Fontas. I'm pretty sure money could be found for a world class central defender. But the real cost of doing so might be measured in the stunted development of the homegrown central defensive options.

I don't see much point in acquiring Botia. He's competent, but not world class. The only advantage he has over Fontas and Bartra is experience. On the other hand, Barca was prepared to let him go, whereas Fontas, Bartra and Muniesa have been deliberately retained by the club.

Javi Martinez is an interesting option, as he provides depth as a central defender and depth as a defensive midfielder. In both roles, he can be used without completely squeezing out the recently promoted Barca-products (Fontas, Bartra or JDS). In fact, I think he probably ends up being the most sensible signing from Barca's perspective. But in many ways I really hope he doesn't come. He won't be a first choice starter in either position (which is potentially bad for his development). And he's acheived so much with Bilbao, I would hope he would prefer to stay with them rather than go to another La Liga team (even if it is Barca).

Given the promotion of Montoya (who will get playing time) and Muniesa (who might get playing time) and the likely recruitment of a left back, as well as the return of Affelay to play either in midfield or on the wing, I think Adriano becomes surplus to requirements. He will leave. But I think Affelay will stay for another season, to see whether he can integrate successfully into the Barca system. I agree he was less than spectacular last year, but he looked much more relaxed and comfortable in pre-season play before his injury, and I think we want to see if he really comes good.

Forwards? I don't think we'll buy one. I suspect the deal is done to buy Neymar in 2014. But 48m for RVP who will rarely start (because he doesn't fit easily into the system) is just silly.

These are my predictions, then:

First: Barca's efforts to market the team will see them committed to buy Neymar and to sell Villa in 2014. They will also continue to make disruptive pre-season plans. In protest, Pep will decline to sign on for another season. But being a class act, he will never admit to the real disagreement. Pep will be replaced by Bielsa (whom he has already been busy anointing as the ideal successor, and best coach in the world). Bielsa will bring Javi Martinez with him, simultaneously giving Barca depth in central defense and at defensive midfield. Jordi Alba will be signed, and Bielsa will commit to making use of Muniesa on the left at times, and to making use of a 3-4-3 formation at times. Affelay is retained, but Keita and Adriano move on. Tello will be deemed too one-dimensional to promote, especially once Alba is signed, but too talented to give up, so he will be loaned to someone – hopefully Roma.

We will see the following kinds of line-ups:

4-3-3
Valdez (Pinto)
Alves(Montoya) – Pique(Puyol) – Mascherano(Martinez) – Muniesa (Alba)
Busquets (Martinez)
Xavi (Thiago) – Iniesta (Cesc)
Alexis (Cuenca) – Messi (Villa)- Pedro (Affelay)

or

3-4-3
Valdez (Pinto)
Mascherano (Bartra) – Pique (Fontas) – Puyol (Muniesa)
Busquets (Martinez)
Alves – Xavi – Iniesta (or Fabregas – Thiago – Alba)
Alexis (Cuenca) – Messi (Villa) – Pedro (Affelay)

or even

3-5-2
Valdez
Mascherano – Pique – Puyol
Busquets
Alves – Xavi – Iniesta – Alba
Messi – Villa

We don't need to buy striker or midfielder anymore since we have soooo many skillful players on that position..

He will definitely buy a defender, he knows we dont need new midfielders or attackers, barca has always had problems with defenders and dmf (until busi and masch came along). I was expecting fontas to step up and learn, but its a shame he's injured for long, also afellay (cant wait till he darts across the field for another amazing cross). Also if keita leaves, then i believe pep will buy romeu back after two years because he would've matured greatly by then physically and mentally playing with players of high caliber and playing in one of the top leagues. Our defense needs more work, i see that montoya is featuring more frequently, which i like, if fontas wasnt injured he would've featured quite a few times as well as pique has been off-form of late. But with bartra being promoted, we have another great player in the making. But we need players that can perform at a high level NOW, so we should invest soon in a player nearing his prime since puyol and abidal will retire in the next few seasons. We need a player like jordi alba, and keep adriano, he has proven himself as a versatility man in the past few seasons.

Our midfield is fine as well with thiago, sergi roberto, JDS, xavi (good 3-4 years left + more if he stays fit), iniesta, fab (only 24), busi, i hear samper and kaptoum are both VERY mature players with composure, both of them are very young. Babunski and samper has been called up to train with first team at the age of 15-16 with grimaldo. I can go on and on about talents, but the point is pep and the new barcelona coaching staff all believe in the effectiveness and importance of youth players being incorporated seamlessly to make an impact and adapt quicker on the first team.