Arda Turan
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The Turkish international’s arrival from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid was seen as the perfect solution to some of Barcelona’s most pressing issues.
Seen as a versatile player, Arda Turan was drafted in as someone Luis Enrique could plonk in a variety of positions if he needed to. Naturally, the former Atletico player is a winger, but Lucho saw fit to use Turan as a central midfielder in his first two appearances. In many ways, it is a trend that has continued ever since he set foot inside the Camp Nou.
Whereas under Diego Simeone, Turan was a leader, a player who could rally his troops and take the initiative in games, he had quickly assimilated as a vital cog in the very efficient Barca team. Seemingly stripped of his identity, then, he has failed to really cope with the demands placed upon him and has even become a scapegoat for some of the club’s surprising defeats.
Introduced for the final quarter of an hour against Real Madrid in El Clasico, his substitution coincided with a period of Madridista dominance which saw them steal all three points and has seen his form questioned by many. His overall impact was hampered by his six-month delay but doubts remain over whether he can grow back into the player many remember him as.
Time will tell.
