The last few weeks have been eventful for Barcelona, to say the very least. The 19-20 season saw Messi & co. deliver the fourth instalment of their dramatic Champions League exits. In the eyes of some fans, even outdoing the fiasco at Anfield last summer.
With another new manager at the helm, Barcelona is a club that needs a complete makeover to retain their place as one of Europe’s best teams. Let’s have a look at the way things are laid out for the boys in Catalunya.
Key Players
- Lionel Messi
- Marc Andre Ter Stegen
- Gerard Pique
- Frenkie De Jong
- Antoine Griezmann
On paper, Barcelona seem like absolute world-beaters. And to be fair, most of their squad consists of world-class players. With the likes of Busquets and De Jong in midfield, one can expect some balance if they do turn up in a game. Although Pique is well into his 30s, the La Masia graduate still has a lot to give to his boyhood club.
Marc Andre Ter Stegen and Lionel Messi could be the only reasons why Barcelona are still where they are. Their individual brilliance is simply too hard to look past. Lastly, Antoine Griezmann has a chance at finally being played in his favoured striker position this season. If that does happen, he has enough talent to silence all of his doubters and critics from last season.
Winning Points
Barca have enough individual brilliance in their side with Messi leading the front line and Ter Stegen taking care of the back. Koeman can work well with big names as he has shown during his tenure coaching the Dutch national team, leading them to the finals of the Nations League against Portugal.
With the likes of Ansu Fati, Riqui Puig and Frenkie De Jong in the lineup, the future does look exciting for Barcelona. However, the youngsters must prove to the rest of the league that they can live up to the hype.
Challenges
Arguably the biggest challenge for Barcelona lies in teamwork. There has to be an improved sense of understanding and communication between the men on the pitch. The pressure of not only coaching but rebuilding an elite team like Barcelona can seem like a daunting task for anybody.
With that said, Koeman has all the tools. He simply has to make them work together like a well-oiled machine. There should be less reliance on individual brilliance, and more combined effort from the rest of the squad to ensure that the future of the club lies in safe hands.
Transfer Activity
Ivan Rakitic has been sold to his former club Sevilla. Old feet, such as those of Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez look set to follow the Croatian out of Camp Nou to Italy. Vidal has been linked with a move to Inter, whereas Suarez has been rumoured to join CR7 at Turin. Coutinho completed his loan spell at Bayern and is said to be a part of the club this season.
Barca are also a part of the Wijnaldum-Thiago triangle and it remains to be seen how that turns out. With no new names in yet, Barca have been linked with Memphis Depay of Lyon strongly. The Dutch coach seems determined to reunite with the forward at the Nou Camp.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
While some might argue that Barcelona look destined to finish 2nd behind Real Madrid this season, I would disagree as I give Atletico a better chance of becoming runners up this season.
Rebuilding a club like Barcelona takes time, patience and money. Although they have world-class names on the team sheet every single week, I do not expect them to take the league by storm. Especially in the first season of the new manager.
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