5 midfielders who could refresh Barcelona's ageing midfield

Piotr Zielinski

SSC Napoli v US Sassuolo - Serie A

If Barcelona are looking for a technically-gifted midfield player with experience in a 4-3-3 set-up that emphasizes possession, then they won’t have to look further than Zielinski.

The 24-year-old Polish international was an unknown before Maurizio Sarri took him to Napoli from Empoli in 2016. Since then, he’s progressed into one of Europe’s most exciting midfielders and has had no shortage of links to the very biggest clubs.

Zielinski combines tight close control with penetrative passing. While Marek Hamsik typically assumed the role of attacking midfielder, it was Zielinski’s job to find spaces and ensure that the ball kept moving in the opposition’s half and founds its way to Napoli's dangerous attack.

Able to play in a more advanced role or on the flanks, Zielinski can add zest to Barcelona’s midfield, and could even be a cheaper alternative to the other options out there.