With Javier Mascherano on the verge of leaving Barcelona in favour of joining Italian club Juventus, the Blaugranas would be in dire need of a new centre-back. Such was the importance of Mascherano in the team that he was bought as a central midfielder from Liverpool but was converted into a defender.
Instead of buying a new CB, they opted to stick with the Argentine, which paid dividends for the Blaugranas as they won successive La Liga trophies and the Champions League. In totality, the former Liverpool man has won four La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and two Champions League titles to name a few.
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He has won everything there is to be won by a player, which proves his credentials as a top defender. Mascherano’s Barca career has had a few jolts though; like the tax case where he had to pay more than a million euros in fines and could also lead to prison time.
He also earns a salary that is way below what star players like Messi and Neymar earn. Thus, it was time for Mascherano to call quits to his time at Barcelona, seeking a new challenge in Italy.
The following are the players who Barcelona could sign as a replacement for the Argentine:
1) Samuel Umtiti (Lyon)
Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti to Barcelona was a surprising report earlier this month as the centre-back still has a long way to go to claim a starting spot in the Barcelona team. He is a defender who can play at left-back and centre-back, just like the versatile Jeremy Mathieu.
His main qualities as a defender are shown by his thirst to win the ball back quickly, where other players would not commit and back off. He looks like a perfect replacement for Javier Mascherano, who also plays with that kind of intensity.
Umtiti can start attacks from the back to push the ball forward. Umtiti is incredibly comfortable in possession, suiting Barcelona’s style of play. Even though he is 22, he has shown immense leadership skills when he commented about the tiff between the new arrivals and the already existing players.
He can read the game brilliantly and is also an excellent man-to-man defender, who can afford to give the forwards an extra yard to run. The Lyon defender has all the skills that Barcelona could want while also being relatively cheap at around £15 million.
2) John Stones (Everton)
Everton defender John Stones has been constantly linked with an exit since last year. He was subject to multiple bids from Chelsea, with both the Manchester clubs too showing an interest in snapping him up. Barcelona, naturally have been linked with the Englishman as they look to fill the void left by potentially departing midfielder-turned-defender Javier Mascherano.
The England international has been followed by the La Liga champions for quite some time now, as they look to add a new quality young defender this summer. Although the Barnsley-born defender has not had the best of his seasons, he has immense potential who will only get better with proper training and guidance.
As a matter of fact, the whole team had a dismal campaign, thus blaming him for the collapse would be a little harsh. The Everton man’s main strengths lie in his excellent reading of the game and his composure on the ball, which is something Barcelona look for in defenders.
He can start attacks with his brilliant passing skills and controls the ball brilliantly. The Englishman has been selected for the Euro 2016 squad, where he will be hoping to give his potential suitors something to make their offers concrete and prise him away from Everton.
3) Eric Bailly (Villarreal)
Villarreal centre-back Eric Bailly has been identified by Barcelona as a potential replacement for veteran defender Javier Mascherano, who will be desperate to fill the void left by the imminent departure of him.
Bailly signed for Villarreal from Espanyol last January when Gabriel Paulista left for Arsenal. The Ivorian had a brilliant part to play in the Yellow Submarine finishing the La Liga in the fourth place, guaranteeing them a spot in the Champions League playoffs.
Barcelona have had a problem replacing Carles Puyol as they still continue to have problems in the defence. Bailly looks to be the answer to those problems as he is very young at 22 years. He is also very well used to the way things work in La Liga having played for Espanyol earlier.
Bailly has been consistent in his performances having played 34 games all competitions for the club. He is versatile, as he can play at both full-back and central positions.
At a price of £20 million, he does not look like a bad signing, as the defender has a lot of years to continue to develop into the player Barcelona want him to become.
4) Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
Marquinhos has been linked to Barcelona several times in the past, even before he signed with PSG. The youngster has found it hard to break into the back four of PSG, with the Brazilian Thiago Silva and his countryman David Luiz forming an incredible partnership at the heart of the defence.
The young Brazilian was visibly disappointed in being dropped from the champions league quarter-finals against Manchester City which ended 2-2. Marquinhos can play as a right-back and a defensive midfielder too. He is fast and has a good sense of positioning too.
The former Roma defender is strong and has superb ball playing skills. Marquinhos is one of the most promising hot prospects in European football today with several clubs vying for his signature.
Barcelona will possible struggle in replacing veteran defender Mascherano, who has similar capabilities and size but the PSG defender is the perfect replacement for the former Liverpool player.
Though the Brazilian is excellent, his age makes him more expensive as he is considered one for the future. Only a bid upwards of £35 million is going to make PSG want to let the youngster go.
5) Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)
Aymeric Laporte is one of the hottest prospects in world football with European Giants like Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona all hot on their heels to sign him up instantly.
He is a quality defender who had an incredible season with Bilbao after winning the Supercopa de Espana against Barcelona. Laporte has been at the club since 2012 and he is only 21 years old.
He has been that good for the Spanish club every season. He is tall and elegant, who also happens to be very comfortable in possession. He is an exceptional reader of the game and is not afraid of going for challenges to win the ball.
The Frenchman is fast and covers the ground with and without the ball, who is also decent in the air. He was featured in the 2013-14 La Liga Team of the Year at the age of 19, which is an incredible feat to accomplish.
He is ideal for Barcelona in the truest sense as he has the exact skills what Barcelona need in their squad being the perfect replacement for Javier Mascherano. Although he is a brilliant central defender, he commands an exceptionally high price of £38.5 million.
