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#3 Riqui Puig
The Barcelona starlet has been a victim of Ronald Koeman's attitude of going with a fixed line-up. Riqui Puig featured in just 24 games across all competitions in the 2020-21 season, most of them as a substitute. The La Masia graduate was once touted as yet another promising replacement for the likes of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta in central midfield.
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Puig is somebody who likes to press the opposition. He makes quick decisions and is highly impulsive with and without the ball. The 22-year old is often spotted going for an unorthodox pass instead of making an obvious backward or square pass to a team-mate. The Spanish youngster has a knack for taking risky yet calculated decisions on the field.
What makes Puig special is that he likes to play with the ball, which is pivotal to Koeman and Barcelona's possession-based style. He can provide a vital option to the Barcelona midfield. However, the midfielder will have to battle immense competition from Frenkie de Jong and Pedri to force his way into the line-up.
#2 Yusuf Demir
Yusuf Demir recently became Barcelona's youngest foreign debutant since Lionel Messi, who first appeared back in the 2004-05 season. The Austrian winger has already impressed Ronald Koeman with his brimming potential.
Demir has been highly influential in pre-season games for Barcelona with his sublime on-the-ball skills down the wings. The teenager is quick and brings pace and energy to the Barcelona attack.
The winger likes to cut-in from the wings with his left foot and can play all across the attacking areas. Demir will most likely be part of the Barcelona B side but will be pushing to break into the first team.
With injury concerns over Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele and a lack of goals from Antoine Griezmann, the 18-year old can be given the odd chance. Undoubtedly, Demir has enough potential to grab it and make an impression if his opportunity arrives.
#1 Nico Gonzalez
The La Masia graduate made his debut for the Barcelona first team in the season opener against Real Sociedad, which the Catalans won 4-2. Nico Gonzalez has grown up watching Sergio Busquets in defensive midfield and wants to emulate the legend at Barcelona.
Gonzalez had earlier attracted interest from Manchester City and Manchester United as a 16-year old but his heart was always with Barcelona. The defensive midfielder is a patient on the ball and excels in breaking the opposition's lines.
The 19-year old defensive midfielder has enough quality to remain an ideal deputy for Busquets, who could be rested in less-critical games. Now that Barcelona are moving towards a new dawn, it is imperative they integrate players like Gonzalez into the first team as much as possible.
