Rafinha – 6/10
Rafinha was one of the bright spots in a rather disappointing season for the Camp Nou outfit. The 24-year-old was used in a number of different positions and he generally gave a good account of himself. The Brazilian was thriving particularly on the right-wing in the 3-3-1-3 formation deployed by Luis Enrique in some games, and a good example was the memorable comeback against PSG.
However, a meniscus injury sustained in February sidelined him for the remainder of the season and the Brazilian will be looking to come back from it, stronger than ever.
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Jordi Alba – 6/10
Jordi Alba did what he has always done, maraud up and down the left wing, closing down opponents while also being a useful outlet in attack. The Spaniard didn’t do much wrong during the season but he didn’t do anything spectacular either.
He didn’t find a place for himself in the 3-3-1-3 formation deployed by Enrique towards the end of the season but it was not his fault as it was done to negate the lack of a right-back in the team. The Spaniard needs to improve next season if he wishes to continue as the first-choice under Valverde, or Lucas Digne is already knocking on the door.
Andres Iniesta – 6/10
Iniesta is slowly nearing the end of his career and as such he is no longer the dynamic midfielder that he once was. This season, the Spanish veteran, was marred with injuries and Barcelona suffered as a result. However, even when he was fully-fit, he didn’t have the sort of impact that he is so used to having.
Case in point the 4-0 humiliation at the hands of PSG or the 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Juventus, the Barcelona midfield was overrun and the Spaniard was caught in possession more often than one would expect.
The ugly truth is that Iniesta is on the decline and it is time Barcelona consider looking for alternatives, not to replace him but to ease the burden on him. In fact, the Catalan giants should also start preparing for the life without the Spaniard, for that day is not too far either.
Ivan Rakitic – 6/10
The Croatian was abysmal at the start of the season but got back into his element as the season progressed. Rakitic’s dip in form affected Barcelona tremendously as it deprived them of the goals from midfield, which proved to be pivotal in the preceding seasons. It was this dip in form which forced Luis Enrique to look at other alternatives, namely Denis Suarez.
However, since the turn of the year the Croatian slowly improved and the 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the last El Clasico of the season was probably his best display of the season, as not only did he make those late runs into the box but he also caused trouble to Zinedine Zidane’s side with his shooting. It was only fitting, that he scored an absolute thunderbolt in the game.
At one point it looked like the Croatian will be sold by Barcelona, such was his form but having turned it around towards the end, Rakitic will be looking to have a strong next season.
Sergi Roberto – 6/10
A midfielder filling in at right back is a receipe for disaster and that is exactly what happened. Barcelona made the mistake of putting all their eggs in one basket as they hoped that Roberto would fill the huge void left by the departure of Dani Alves and failed to sign a proper replacement. To the credit of the Spaniard, he did try his best but he just isn’t meant for that role.
Roberto has decent pace and can put in a shift at right-back but he cannot do it every week, especially against good opposition. He did try his best, and succeeded to a point and hence cannot be blamed for the poor decision making by his club.
Who could forget, the 25-year-old also scored the winner against PSG to complete one of the greatest comebacks of all time and I hope he gets the chance in midfield, one that he really deserves and a position from where he will be far more useful to the team.
Luis Suarez – 6/10
37 goals and 20 assists in a season and still a measly rating of 6? How is that even possible. Well, hear me out before you jump on me with knives and sticks.
Luis Suarez may have been the league’s second highest goalscorer, he may have the stats to back his claim as one of the premier strikers in the world but all of this cannot mask how much the Uruguayan has declined this season.
After an incredible 2015/16 season, Suarez’s name was being taken in the same breath as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but how the mighty have fallen that, if truth be told, he might not even make it to the 10 best footballers in the world. Hell, he may even struggle to be counted as one of the 5 best strikers in the world.
Suarez may have got the goals but they have come, arguably, against weaker opponents and in situations when Barcelona were winning comfortably. In the crunch games, the former Liverpool man has struggled immensely and has missed a number of good chances. The Uruguayan looks bereft of confidence, while that instinctiveness in his shooting also seems to be fading.
Suarez of this season was a shadow of the man, who was the reason why MSN excelled last season, and Barcelona will be hoping that the striker gets back to his best next season.
Sergio Busquets – 6.5/10
It is no coincidence that Barcelona’s poor season happened at the same time when Busquets endured his worst season in recent memory. The Spaniard doesn’t relish this new style that the club have opted, as he is a midfielder built to thrive in a system where his side dominates possession. However, that has not always been the case under Luis Enrique, as his side were willing to give up the ball in order to find a breakthrough at the other end.
The Spaniard is still an excellent midfielder, adept in the art of tackling and sublime with his passing, however, to get the best out of him Barcelona need a more combative midfielder alongside him, who can do the dirty work while also doing all the running as Busquets is not especially known for being relentless. It will be interesting if Barcelona go back to tiki-taka football under Valverde or stick with their current system.
