5 replacements for Luis Suárez at Barcelona

#3 Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao & Spain)

The Spanish Messi needs the step up that is Barcelona to fine-tune his abilities

Not since Gaizka Mendieta have the Cules gone as gaga over a Basque player as they did over the pint-sized dynamo from Pamplona; Muniain a couple of years ago.

His arrival on the scene during the ground-laying era of Joaquín Caparrós as Athletic Bilbao’s coach was met with much acclaim and applause as he was dubbed the “Basque Messi” by the Spanish press.

Pacey, intelligent, capable of great moments and a hard worker, Muniain is now 25 years of age and eager to move on from the comforts of home and go on to achieve much more at a club like Barcelona.

He is capable of much more than he has achieved at San Mames and will need to get regular playing time at a well-situated club like Barca so as to get the attention of the national team’s selectors. It’s incredible to note that a player with his skill set has only played a game for the national team.

Shorter than Suárez but just as effective when it comes to harrying opponents, finding space for shots and playing in tandem with his fellow forwards.

His goal scoring needs a lot of work as it has not been his strongest asset and if he is to replace an equally misfiring striker like Suárez, lots of improvements will be needed.

However, his experience and room for improvement mean that a purchasing club like FC Barcelona would get to see the best of Iker if he signs for them.