With just over a week left before La Liga kicks off, Barcelona is urgently searching for a left-winger to fill the role initially intended for Nico Williams. The long-running pursuit of the Athletic Club winger appears to be ending in disappointment as the Spanish star has returned to training with his boyhood club.
Although the Blaugrana has signed Dani Olmo, the Spaniard is more suited to the No. 10 position, leaving Barcelona still in need of a proper left-winger to complement teenage sensation Lamine Yamal on the right. With the transfer window winding down and financial constraints looming, here are six players Barcelona could consider instead of Nico Williams.
Barcelona’s Search for a Left-Winger Like Nico Williams: Top 5 Candidates to Consider
1. Luis Díaz
Before Euro 2024 catapulted Nico Williams into the spotlight, Barcelona was reportedly torn between him and Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, with sporting director Deco favoring the Colombian. Now that Williams is no longer an option, Díaz could once again come into focus.
Díaz is known for his physical reliability, logging 2,629 minutes in the Premier League last season. A dribbling maestro, he completed 67 out of 140 take-ons, closely matching Nico Williams’ tally of 86 out of 193. Díaz also scored 8 goals but had an xG (expected goals) of 11.9, indicating he could have scored more with a bit more composure.
Though expensive, with Liverpool likely demanding at least €50m, Díaz would add a phenomenal and dependable dribbling presence to the Barça attack, perfectly complementing Lamine Yamal.
2. Kingsley Coman
Bayern Munich’s speedy winger Kingsley Coman saw his incredible title-winning streak end at 11 as Bayer Leverkusen clinched the Bundesliga. He’s now reportedly slipped down the pecking order to the point where Bayern would consider a sale. According to Sky Germany, his agents have already offered him to the Blaugrana.
Coman has previously worked with Barcelona coach Hansi Flick at Bayern, even scoring the winning goal in the 2020 Champions League final to secure the Treble for Flick. This pre-existing chemistry would be invaluable.
However, Coman’s frequent injury issues are a concern. He’s managed more than 1,500 minutes in a season just three times in his nine-year career with Bayern. Can he handle the load at Barcelona?
3. Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa’s career has hit a rough patch, leading Juventus to consider selling the Euro 2020 star. Now 26, Chiesa has never scored more than 10 goals in a single league season, last achieving that feat in 2019/20 with Fiorentina.
Chiesa brings speed and an excellent shooting ability to the table. He’d be a more affordable option and, although a bit of a gamble given his recovery from a 2021 ACL injury, it could be a risk worth taking.
4. Jadon Sancho
While Jadon Sancho lacks the explosive pace of other candidates, he compensates with exceptional ball-handling skills. Erik ten Hag is keen to offload the winger, and Sancho’s loan to Borussia Dortmund last season demonstrated that he still has much to offer when away from the chaos of Manchester United.
Can Hansi Flick get Sancho in shape and harness his considerable talent?
5. João Félix
João Félix began last season’s loan at Barcelona in spectacular form. In terms of sheer talent, he is arguably the best player on this list. However, talent alone isn’t enough; Félix has been frustratingly inconsistent, even losing his starting spot by mid-season in Catalunya.
Atlético Madrid would probably be eager to offload the winger, but would Barcelona be open to his return?
As Barcelona edges closer to the start of La Liga, the urgency to secure a left-winger heightens. Each of these six players offers unique strengths and challenges, and the decision will undoubtedly impact the team’s performance in the upcoming season. Stay tuned as the Blaugrana navigates these last-minute transfer decisions to build a strong and balanced squad for the 2024 season.
