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The last time a defender of this stature was walking into the twilight of his career, the Barcelona club management couldn't have been worried. Carles Puyol had groomed his understudy, Gerard Pique, that well.
However, the years have rolled by and soon, it'll be Gerard Pique's turn to hand over the defensive responsibilities to someone. That is if Barcelona can find a player who can do what Pique has done over the past decade and more.
As such, let's take a look at:
5 potential replacements for Gerard Pique at Barcelona
#5 Ronaldo Araujo - Barcelona B
The 21-year-old Uruguayan centre-back currently plays for Barcelona B. Araujo's name is mentioned often as a serious contender to succeed Gerard Pique. Though he's only 21 years old, Araujo's defensive capabilities and positional awareness are proof of his maturity.
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Also, standing at 191 cms, he is quite a physical presence at the back. With a frame that can't be easily negotiated with, he will be able to dominate aerial balls almost at par with Pique who stands at 194 cms.
Araujo, despite earning a red card on his first senior starting role, is a player worthy enough to lead Barcelona's backline and has shown over the years that he is a quick learner who can adapt easily.
When they have an option as good as Araujo on their books, should Barcelona really be looking in other places?
#4 Eric Garcia - Manchester City
Manchester City centre-back Eric Garcia is a Barcelona academy product who left the club at 17. Now, Barcelona are reportedly in the race to sign the 19-year-old from Manchester City as a potential replacement for Gerard Pique.
Garcia is well versed with the Barcelona style of play and under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, he has received the lessons from perhaps the most ideal person he could if he were to return to his former club.
With a positional sense and awareness that's beyond his age, Eric Garcia compensates for his lack of height with his excellent reading of the game. Also, as a ball playing centre-back, he is always going to be an easy fit at Barcelona.
#3 Luiz Felipe - Lazio
The 23-year-old Luiz Felipe is already one of Lazio's main centre-backs and has been linked with Barcelona for a long time now. The Brazilian international offers a cheap option to the Cules as he could be available for an amount as low as £18 million.
Felipe's agent Stefano Castagno has done little to play down the rumours either. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo in March, he had said,
“If Barca follows you, it is an honour,”
“Although the player now has his head in Lazio and trying to win the title, once all this situation that is affecting us ends, Barca is Barca.
“They are seeing what he is doing in Italy, hence many top teams have gone to Lazio for him.
“Several clubs were asking about him at the club before the coronavirus exploded due to the great campaign he is having with Lazio, so it would not surprise me if he also sparked Barca’s interest. There are no central defenders on the market at the moment.”
#2 Milan Skriniar - Inter Milan
Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar is a way more expensive option for Barcelona. The 25-year-old Slovakian won't come for cheap as he is a prized asset of Antonio Conte. Barcelona and Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Skriniar in the past.
Skriniar should fit right into Barcelona's backline. At 187 cms, he might not be the most dominant in the air, but he more than makes up for it with his passing and ability to keep his head in tense situations.
Skriniar also packs a mean tackle in him and while he may not be able to immediately dominate the La Liga attackers, he has a lot of time to grow into a player of that stature. However, Barcelona will have to shell out close to £50 million in order to sign him.
#1 Pau Torres - Villarreal
Now before you shake your heads, know that Pau Torres tops this list both because of his abilities and how close he is to actually becoming the successor to Gerard Pique.
Pau Torres is perhaps the only centre-back other than Eric Garcia that Barcelona are being heavily linked with right now. Pau Torres has been exceptional at centre-back for Villarreal and has been crucial to the side making it to the 5th spot on the La Liga table and also qualifying for the Europa League.
Torres even earned up a call to the Spanish national team this year and scored a goal as Spain decimated Malta 7-0. Pau Torres' current contract runs till 2023. However, he has a release clause of €50 million and we won't be surprised if Barcelona decide to activate it.
