4 Barcelona players who must step up their game next season

#1 Coutinho

Coutinho has been hugely disappointing for Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho was made the most expensive player in Barcelona's history and the third costliest payer of all time when they paid Liverpool the princely sum of £140 million for his services.

The Brazilian international had been a long-term target of the Catalans and was the subject of numerous bids which were all turned down by Liverpool.

Barcelona finally got their man in January 2018 and there was a wild celebration by Blaugrana faithful, as the 26-year-old was seen as the long-term replacement of the legendary Andres Iniesta.

Coutinho ended his first half-season at Camp Nou with 10 goals and five assists from 22 matches helping Barca to the double and it was expected that he would only get better once he fully settled into the team.

This viewpoint was further backed following the departure of the man many foresaw as his predecessor as Andres Iniesta departed for Vissel Kobe in the Japanese league.

However, that has proved to not be the case, as Coutinho struggled horribly for form throughout the course of this season and was the subject of numerous boos from the Barcelona fans.

In total this season, the Brazilian international made 55 appearances in all competitions, scoring a paltry 11 goals and making just three assists.

He looks nothing like the confident player he was at Liverpool, unafraid of his abilities and rarely features for the entirety of matches as he is usually substituted by Ernesto Valverde most times to the jeers of his own fans.

The pressure seems to have gotten to him, as speculations suggest he is seeking a transfer away from the club with Liverpool and Manchester United among those said to be interested.

On his day, Coutinho is one of the very best attacking midfielders in the world, but even he would be the first to tell you that he has not quite performed to expectations at the Nou Camp and if he is to remain a Barcelona player next season, it goes without saying that massive improvements in his output would be expected.