Whatever might be the outcome of the Luis Suarez debacle, one thing is certain. He is very unlikely to want to stay in England and indeed he is less than wanted there now anyway.One can also presume that his asset value may have declined in recent days as the US owners of Liverpool and his sponsors run for cover making him a target for non-English clubs.
So that leaves the question , what next for Suarez? On the assumption that he will not next catch a plane to the Iguazu falls and throw himself from a great height, nor simply give up on a profession that is his lifeblood, the most obvious temptation must be there to seek a transfer to a country and a club that might value him as a player while drawing a veil over his less than saintly attributes as a member of a civilised society.
For FC Barcelona, which, more than any other club, has always prided itself in being just that –‘more than a club’ , that is to say, representative of a broader, universal ethos of civilised values- it might be wise to think carefully before jumping in and offering him a lifeline out of perdition.
On the other hand, it is arguable that FC Barcelona might think it could bring off an interesting public relations coup by having Suarez make an apology and promise never to behave disgracefully again in return for offering this hugely gifted player the chance of redeeming himself and helping the club back to glory.
But then does Barca really need a galactico team made up of Messi, Neymar, and Suarez. What effect would this have-post this World Cup- on the necessary recovery of a team ethos and identity shattered with Guardiola’s exit and with the demise of the likes of Xavi and Pujol, not to mention the questionable matters of Neymar’s transfer fee, and the continuing sponsorship of Qatar? Barca’s new coach Luis Enrique I think would be wise to leave Suarez to Real Madrid- if they want him.
