This is a Guest Post on BarcaFutbol by popular football journalist, columnist and TV personality,Andy West

They won last season’s title with ease, the squad is packed with some of the world’s most exciting young players, further depth has been provided by a solid batch of summer signings and the coach has shown himself to be an astute and tactically adaptable thinker. 

So why are there so many question marks facing Xavi as his Barca team prepares to defend the La Liga crown, as well as making much more headway in the Champions League than we’ve witnessed in recent years?