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Success is a funny thing. And in the world of football, it can be downright ironic. Yesterday’s champions can be today’s strugglers.
Now labeling Barcelona as strugglers would be a tad harsh (they sit third in La Liga, eight points adrift of leaders Atletico, despite their woes), but their shocking fall from grace is there for all to see.
Winding the clocks back to a decade ago, Barcelona – then managed by the indomitable Pep Guardiola – were the team every side feared to face and dreamt of beating.
Spearheaded by peak Lionel Messi and controlled by a prime Xavi and Iniesta, the Blaugrana claimed an unprecedented 23 trophies, making them world beaters in every sense of the word.
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Fast forward to a decade later, and the Catalan club are amidst a messy transition, with talisman Lionel Messi’s future still very much in the air and an all-important presidential election round the corner.
The COVID-19 crisis, which has severely impacted the club’s finances, has only made matters worse. However, things must move forward on the pitch and the only individuals capable of taking the club over the line are its players.
Head coach Ronald Koeman is on a rotational spree, not least because of injuries to key players, so the time for fringe/young players to grab their chance is now.
However, rotation also means that not every player will get their fair share of game time.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at five players who don’t get enough game time at Barcelona.
#5 Neto
Okay, let’s face it – being second choice goalkeeper means you’re going to spend a lot of time warming the bench.
Being a second choice goalkeeper who isn’t even given an opportunity in cup games…well that’s not the ideal situation.
But that’s exactly Neto’s predicament right now.
The Brazilian has little or no hopes of taking the number 1 jersey from ter Stegen, who has not only emerged as Barca’s undisputed first choice stopper but also one of the best players in the world in his position.
Neto angled for a move in the January transfer window – as confirmed by manager Ronald Koeman – with Arsenal and former club Juventus among potential suitors.
But his transfer request was turned down due to the club deeming him an important member of the squad and a vital source of cover at a time when the squad is stretched.
Having no option but to wait it out, the 31-year-old can only hope to get some vital game time amidst his club’s packed schedule.
However, if things don’t go his way then a switch would be in the best interests of both parties.
#4 Riqui Puig
The promising young midfielder’s 2020/21 season has been a bit of a roller coaster following a productive campaign under Quique Setién, which saw him make 12 appearances in all competitions.
After supposedly leaking information to the press which got him on the wrong side of manager Ronald Koeman earlier this season, the 21-year-old has really picked up the pieces and kicked on, highlighted by his winning penalty kick against Real Sociedad that sent his team into the finals of the Spanish Super Cup.
Choosing to stay and fight for his place rather than go out on loan, with Arsenal reported to have been extremely keen on his services before opting for Martin Ødegaard, says a lot about his mentality.
Dubbed the ‘next Iniesta’, Puig’s talent is there for all to see. Hence, it will be crucial for him to get all the minutes he can in what is set to be an important year for the youngster.
#3 Matheus Fernandes
The situation Matheus is in right now is a very tricky one indeed.
Signed on a five-year contract amounting to €7 million plus €3 million in add-ons from Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, the 22-year-old hasn’t even been officially presented as a Barcelona player yet, which perfectly sums up his predicament.
However, not being unveiled by his club is the least of Matheus’s problems.
With just a handful of minutes against Dynamo Kyiv, Ferencvaros and Juventus in the Champions League, and the misfortune of being repeatedly left out of Ronald Koeman’s 23-man league squad, one can’t help but wonder why Barca signed Matheus at all.
The midfielder was even put on the market to help Barcelona rake in some much-needed cash, but a hamstring injury hampered any hopes of a move away.
Clearly not part of Koeman’s plans, Matheus was even keen to move down to Barcelona’s B team in order to gain some much needed minutes.
But with a squad bulging with talent, even the lower division isn’t an option for the Brazilian. A move to a club able to afford Matheus more time would suit both parties.
#2 Junior Firpo
Junior was brought in to deputize for Jordi Alba, but after nearly two whole seasons it’s safe to say that the 24-year-old hasn’t quite been able to fulfill the task assigned to him.
Being played out of position, including as a right back in the recent Copa del Ray horror show against Sevilla where his poor positioning helped gift former teammate Ivan Rakitic a goal, hasn’t helped his case either.
To be quite fair to Junior, part of his struggles are due to the lack of opportunities afforded to him.
The Spaniard has made just one league start this season during which he has received a scant 147 minutes of game time, but still managed to complete all of his passes while coming off the bench.
At this crucial stage in his career he needs all the games he can get.
A move away might have materialized during the January transfer window, with Milan and Arsenal – who are rumored to have failed with a late bid – among potential suitors, but in the end nothing materialized.
This is possibly due to Junior becoming a father for a second time in December, with a move away not in his young family’s best interests.
The coming months will be crucial for the youngster, who will need to secure a move away from the club to fulfill his undoubted potential if his situation at Barca doesn’t improve.
#1 Miralem Pjanić
After winning numerous plaudits with Juventus, including 4 Serie A titles, 2 Coppa Italia’s, 1 Super Cup and a host of personal allocades including a Champions League Team of the Season award and multiple Serie A Team of the Year honors, Pjanić is a shadow of the player he once was for the Old Lady.
Brought in as a part of a swap deal which saw Arthur go the other way, Pjanić hasn’t been given the chance to fully establish himself at the Blaugrana.
Mostly limited to substituted appearances, this clearly isn’t the situation Pjanić envisioned for himself when he swapped teams.
The Culés haven’t taken to him either, and view Barca’s decision to swap Arthur – who is excelling at Juventus – for an aging midfielder as bizarre.
The penalty miss in the Copa del Ray win over Cornella hasn’t helped his case either.
Pjanić clearly isn’t a part of Koeman’s plans, and with stiff competition in midfield as well as a host of talented youngsters waiting in the wings, the 30-year-old Bosnian really needs to consider his situation as he enters the twilight years of his career.
