Why Did Barcelona Sell Alexis Sanchez?

By Michael Ferguson

Barcelona is one of the most successful football clubs in the world, but they have made some questionable decisions in the past. One such decision was the sale of Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal in 2014.

Sanchez had been a key player for Barcelona and was expected to be a part of their future plans, so why did they sell him? Let’s take a closer look.

Who is Alexis Sanchez?

Alexis Alejandro Sánchez Sánchez, commonly known as Alexis Sanchez, is a Chilean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Milan and the Chile national team. He began his career in Chile and then moved to Udinese in Italy before joining Barcelona in 2011.

Sanchez’s time at Barcelona

Sanchez joined Barcelona in 2011 for €26 million. He quickly became an important player for the club, scoring 19 goals and providing 10 assists in his debut season. Over the next two seasons, he continued to impress, scoring crucial goals and helping Barcelona win several titles.

Why did Barcelona sell Sanchez?

Despite his success on the pitch, there were several factors that led to Barcelona selling Sanchez:

1. Financial reasons

Barcelona was facing financial difficulties at the time and needed to raise funds to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. Selling Sanchez was one way for them to generate some much-needed income.

2. Tactical reasons

Barcelona had changed their style of play under new manager Luis Enrique, and it was felt that Sanchez didn’t fit into their new system. They wanted a more direct approach with quicker players who could stretch defenses, whereas Sanchez was more of a technical player who liked to drift inside.

3. Personal reasons

There were also reports of personality clashes between Sanchez and some of his teammates, particularly Lionel Messi. Sanchez was reportedly unhappy with his role in the team and felt that he wasn’t getting enough game time.

Sanchez’s career after leaving Barcelona

After leaving Barcelona, Sanchez joined Arsenal in a deal worth £35 million. He became a fan favorite at the London club, scoring 80 goals in 166 appearances and winning two FA Cups.

In January 2018, he joined Manchester United in a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan. However, his time at United was largely disappointing, and he was loaned out to Inter Milan in August 2019.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it may have been surprising at the time, there were several reasons why Barcelona decided to sell Alexis Sanchez. Financial pressures, tactical considerations, and personal issues all played a part in the decision. However, Sanchez has gone on to have a successful career elsewhere and remains one of the most talented footballers of his generation.