5 Players that will reduce the workload on Lionel Messi this season

#1. Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho will mastermind Barca's midfield and also contribute in scoring goals

Philippe Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January but he could not represent the Catalans in the UEFA Champions League, having represented the Reds earlier in the tournament.

Despite that, the Brazilian still managed to bag an incredible 10 goals and 6 assists to help the Catalans claim both the La Liga title and the Copa Del Rey trophy.

In his first full season at the Nou Camp, there is no doubt Coutinho will have a huge impact. The midfielder will control Barcelona's midfield, holding possession, dictating play and distributing decent passes - which will also reduce Lionel Messi's involvement in building up plays.

He will ensure that the attackers (including Lionel Messi) are not short of creativity up front, with his incredible knack to create decent goalscoring chances almost from nowhere.

He will also contribute to bagging goals, using his amazing ability to send deadly strikes from outside the box.