Barcelona haven’t been very convincing this season. There, I said it. Luis Enrique was expected to follow up the domestic double by winning the treble this season and it already looks to be jeopardy with Real Madrid having stolen the march on them in La Liga.
But this is Barcelona we’re talking about – one of the two best teams in the world currently housing one of the two best players in the world. If there’s a chance they’ll find a way to turn this season around and achieve what they would have set out to do so in the beginning, they’ll do it so swiftly, you won’t see it coming.
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However, they need the kind of young blood who could step in and bring about a difference on the field. Neymar did so when he first arrived but now, even he seems to play the cautious and safe game. Younger players haven’t a second thought that goes through their mind and they’re able to confidently do what many wouldn’t expect them to: there’s nothing to worry about for them.
So, here’s looking at five under-23 players who could come in and really lift Barcelona to another level:
#1 Jose Gimenez
Atletico Madrid’s young Uruguayan star-in-the-making might currently be suffering from a slight slump in confidence and form but he still remains one of the best young right-footed central defenders in the game.
Jose Gimenez is only 22 and is yet to agree on a new contract with the club with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season. Should Barcelona and Luis Enrique move quickly to poach him from his current club, it could prove to be an invaluable bargain for the amount of talent they’re getting.
Gimenez is an excellent one-on-one defender and has the kind of strength and heading power a seasoned defender develops during the course of his career. He’s worked hard in the gym and has shown multiple times over the past few seasons that he’s more than capable of handling the toughest of forwards. It’s a win-win situation here.
#2 Anthony Martial
With his current situation at Manchester United not improving, Barcelona will probably pull off one of the coups of the summer transfer window should they convince Jose Mourinho to part with the 21-year-old Frenchman, Anthony Martial.
The former AS Monaco man showed us last season just what he’s capable of when given the chance and in a league that isn’t as brutal and quick as the Premier League, his strengths and confidence will double – making him an outstanding player for any side.
Martial will not come cheap, however, but the side could very well use the kind of money on him to ensure Luis Suarez is adequately replaced in the team. The Uruguayan is nearing his 30s and will soon feel his body let him down often – at which time Barcelona will have an Anthony Marital ready to step in and continue the prowess in front of goal.
#3 Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin is a La Masia product and knows just how Barcelona play – even though he left them nearly 6 years ago to join his current side Arsenal. The 21-year-old is easily the Premier League’s best right-back and was even included in the PFA Team of the Year for his performances for the Gunners last season.
But while he had the chance to join either Manchester City or Barcelona in the summer, he chose to stay on with the North Londoners for a few more years. Maybe he’s learnt from Cesc Fabregas’ mistakes or maybe he feels he needs to mature a little more to have a great impact with the Catalans.
Either way, the club could really use someone like Bellerin, given they lost a true icon in Dany Alves. Bellerin is quick, really quick, has the timing to make incredible forward runs and is excellent in the final third making him the kind of dream defender signing for Luis Enrique’s men.
#4 Corentin Tolisso
22-year-old Corentin Tolisso has gone through an incredible rise over the past two years. Having been on the fringes of the first-team only months ago, the Frenchman now finds himself as a regular starter for Olympique Lyon and is easily amongst their best players every game.
Tolisso has the strength, the stamina and the creativity in the middle of the park that’s unmatched in the Ligue 1. And he’s young enough to become one of the best central midfielders in the game. Someone like him could greatly benefit Barcelona should be partner true legends like Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
The Frenchman will not come cheap given his contribution to the side but Barcelona can be assured of a strong presence in midfield should they pull off the transfer.
#5 Mauro Icardi
At 23 years of age, he’s the captain of an iconic Serie A side and leads from the front both metaphorically and literally. The Argentine has been incredible ever since signing from Sampdoria a few years ago.
And having been released by Barcelona as a youth product, he’ll do well to prove to them what they were missing when they allowed him to leave. Icardi is a solid striker in front of goal and has the kind of finishing ability that makes a striker’s job look easy.
But Icardi just signed a new long-term contract with the club – which will end only in 2021 – and will cost Barcelona a fortune, perhaps a world-record fee, for his services. He’s still so young and could prove to be an excellent buy for the club in the future.
