Until the Clasico defeat it looked as if Barcelona would conquer the world for the second successive season but within a span of a couple of weeks, it all started to fall apart. Even if the Clasico defeat didn't raise eyebrows of many people, the loss at the Vincente Calderon certainly did. Out of UCL, giving up their 9 points lead did raise a few questions. Why did the season start to fall apart all of a sudden? What is wrong with Barcelona’s famous MSN Trident?
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Even though Barcelona have recovered from this downfall still the performances weren't as convincing as it were at the start of the season. There could be a number of reasons for it but the one which convinces most of the football fans around the world is fatigue!
With Barcelona ineligible to register Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal till January and a long-term injury to one of Luis Enrique's favourite Rafinha, he could not rotate the squad as efficiently as last season, it was expected that the players would be tired by the end of the season. But there was a feeling of optimism that Turan and Vidal would both settle in nicely and reduce the burden of players like Alves, Iniesta, Rakitic, etc. But what about the Trident?
Barca tried to sign Nolito and Denis Suarez during the winter transfer window but failed to land any of them. With the likes of Munir and Sandro not convincing Luis Enrique, MSN couldn't get the rest they would've liked to have. It was the only time Barca fans would have felt the void left by the sale of Pedro to Chelsea.
This is where the potential summer arrival of Denis Suarez would lift Barca's chances of winning the treble again next season. But can the other Suarez fill the void of Messi and Neymar in the starting lineup? This season he has been in splendid form but replacing Messi or Neymar would mean asking for too much. Yes, he can play in the deeper role of Iniesta and Rakitic. With Turan potentially covering for Neymar next season, what about a cover for Messi? Ben Arfa? Maybe or maybe not.
Halilovic is the answer to Barca’s problems
Barcelona has a gem of a player in Halilovic. He is maybe the best cover Barca could get in the current situation. With Messi continuously changing positions throughout the game, shifting from right to the centre who else can be more suitable than Halilovic? He has been playing there for most of the season for Gijon.
His playing style too is more or less similar to Messi. With his ability to break through the lines and dribble past defenders, he could be the ideal candidate to replace Messi whenever required.
Also, his WhoScored ratings playing as an attacking midfielder is 6.72 after starting in that position in 13 games and scoring 2 goals and setting up 2 goals too. It's the same position where Messi played in the second half of the season.
Playing as the right midfielder (3 games) and attacking right midfielder (5 games), his who scored ratings are 6.91 and 6.8 which shows that he can be as effective playing on the wings as centrally. Also, he averages 2.3 dribbles and 0.8 key passes per game. Given that he has made 24 starts for Gijon and was subbed on in 12 matches these stats aren’t bad at all.
Though he needs to improve his passing skills, which he surely will if he stays at Barca next season, he can become a super sub which the Catalan side are looking at the moment.
Barca should give him a chance in the senior team next season
With Barca willing to loan him next season or selling with buy-back clause, can he be guaranteed a starting place in potential suitors Valencia's and Villarreal's starting lineup? Can they provide him with the level of football Barca play at? Do they have the same philosophy as Barca? Most of the answers to the above questions are certainly negative.
Like in each decision, there are some pros and cons. Halilovic will unlikely be able to force himself into the starting lineup full of world class players. Mainly making substitute appearances or starting in Copa del Rey games in the early stages. Whereas if he's loaned out or sold he is likely to get more playing time and maybe start most of the matches. But if his dream is to play for Barca he'll probably accept the role on the bench and help his team to the extent he can.
A few weeks ago even his agent said that he would rather see Halilovic playing for Barca as a 12th man than playing for another club. So if Barca consider him to be Messi's successor, they should rather develop him than buying a player for 20-30 million euros who is past his prime or likely to stay at Barca for not more than 2-3 years. This would also boost the confidence of Halilovic and could probably help him gel to the Barcelona system quicker than expected.
Though a replacement for El Pistolero still remains to be found out, Barca should rather find a player who can fill the void in the long term. Who knows he might even come from the famous La Masia youth academy or a player for whom Barca could pay more than £100 million.
Let's hope Barca takes the decision which would help both the parties and proves to be the correct one just like the Denis Suarez experiment.
