Robert Fernandez's failings: Why did Barça not sign Monchi?

At the beginning of the season Luis Enrique made a remark which is now being used against him: "I have the best squad." The reality is that the supposed better squad has not improved the team. 

Barcelona invested 122 million euros on six players but until now the performances have been inferior to what was expected. Of the six signings -- Denis Suárez, Umtiti, Digne, André Gomes, Cillessen and Alcácer -- only one has won a place in the starting lineup, with Umtiti taking Mascherano's place in defence.

It's difficult to understand paying Valencia 65 million euros for two players who don't fit the team's style. For the role Paco Alcacer's doing, as backup to Luis Suarez, there was already Munir. Barça paid 30 million for the striker. As for Andre Gomes, no-one doubts his quality, but he's slow and his style has not adapted to Barça's. 

With this reality, there are questions in the background about the responsibility and the results from the sporting director and his team. It's a role where experience is key; guess work is dangerous and expensive. It's incomprehensible that a club like Barça have not moved for an experienced sporting director, one with prestige and proven success. 

For example, Monchi, the man who's helped Sevilla improve year on year, winning three Europa Leagues in a row and this season closing the gap on Real Madrid and Barcelona. 

His merit lies in signing unknown players (at the top level, at least) and converting them into great players: Alves, Keita and Rakitic, from a Barcelona point of view, are signs of his long list of success.

Meanwhile, he has an eye for a manager, too. Unai Emery and Jorge Sampaoli are his bets and the results have been magnificent. In modern football, as important as the manager is the sporting director who can be successfull in the transfer market. Monchi is a guarantee.