Cruyff Jr.: Anthony was once a Barcelona option, but it is difficult to get back if the Eredivisie player fails

July 21, "Daily Sports" interviewed former Barcelona sports director Cruyff Jr., who talked about the signings during Barcelona's reconstruction period, saying that Anthony was an option, but the risk of signing a Dutch Eredivisie player was too high.

There are players who have helped the team achieve a leap in the competitive level?

Cruyff Jr.: "When you sign a striker, you must make sure that this player can ignite the enthusiasm of the fans and give the team confidence. Among them, the chairman's opinion is particularly important. Taking Lewandowski as an example, what we are looking for is players who can have influence both on and off the court. It should be noted that Lewandowski joins from his real dream. He did everything he could to facilitate the deal and showed the firm belief of 'I must join Barcelona'. When he sees players of this level so proactive, he will naturally push forward with all his might. This is also Barcelona's natural advantage: as long as he speaks the name of 'Barcelona', there is no need for extra persuasion."

When there is no money?

Cruyff Jr.: "99% of players' eyes shine when they hear 'Barcelona'. Many players even voluntarily join the franchise due to economic losses. Lewandowski's attitude is particularly clear. This is undoubtedly a successful signing. The team urgently needs such a core force."

Are there any other cases?

Cruyff Jr.: "Rafinia, he is our long-term focus. At that time, I did think about options such as Anthony of Ajax, but the risk must be minimized due to the fiscal fairness bill. If the players verified by the Premier League are not suitable for Barcelona, they still have value for sale, but once the Eredivisie players introduced with a lot of money fails, it will be difficult to recover the cost."

Cruyff Jr.: "Rafini Asia is highly sought after in the Premier League market, and many clubs are interested in buying. Judging from the data, he always maintains a stable output of goals and assists. The balance he gives the team is difficult to quantify: after losing the ball, he is the first person to counterattack, which is a professional model. Last season, he delivered a perfect answer: eye-catching data, diligence attitude, championship mentality... It is indeed a high-quality signing. Of course, football is full of unknowns, and we believe that he will succeed based on judgment."