Issues Barcelona must address to prepare the team for next season

FC Barcelona, who are on course to yet another treble, must be jubilant with their performances throughout the season. They’ve passed their challenge successfully but an even bigger challenge awaits them. The club was banned from registering new players for two transfer windows and hence they cannot bring in any new players this summer.

With the backbone of their team, Xavi, and several other important players leaving the club, they need some new and able names to fill the void. And though, they have to face the embargo, they should not worry about it as they have one of the best football academies in the world.

La Masia is known for producing world class talents that form the basis of Barcelona and this time too, the academy will come to their rescue as they have some brilliant players who have the ability and talent to play at first team level.

Let’s have a look at some vital issues; Barcelona must address in order to prepare their squad for next season.

Where Barcelona Need to strengthen

Dani Alves is one of the most important figures at the club since the days of Pep Guardiola and has proved to be a key player for the team. The Brazilian runs out of contract this summer and the club hasn’t extended yet.

Alves is keen on staying at the club but he awaits the right offer. Given the other options, the club has, it’d be the best move to offer Alves a new contract. Though Alves’ performances did dip in the last two seasons, he has improved a lot now.

This season, his presence on the right wing has given more freedom to Lionel Messi to cut inside and link up with other forwards. Dani shares an excellent tactical understanding of Barcelona’s style of play and his wonderful chemistry with players is also one of the reasons for Barcelona to keep the Brazilian right-back at their club for at least one more season.

Adriano is not a key player at Barcelona and is only the second fiddle to Spaniard Jordi Alba. Adriano doesn’t start regularly and the club has plenty of reasons to sell him this summer. Whenever given an opportunity to play, the Brazilian has failed to put in decent performances.

His offensive play is too weak and the problems he had in linking up with Neymar on left flank were quite evident this season. He has also lost his ability to shoot from the distance to score some thrillers.

Adriano is now 30 years old and quite injury prone too. It’s time for the club to bring a young full back at the club now and Alex Grimaldo seems to be the best option. Currently, he plays for the reserves team for Barcelona and has put up some brilliant performances there.

He fits perfectly in the Barcelona’s mould as he’s a brilliant passer, can play in compact spaces and is an excellent playmaker. The youngster is also an amazing free kick taker and has scored several goals from it this season. Grimaldo has all the talent and potential to be the next star for Barcelona.

With the departure of Xavi Hernandez, midfield will be the place where Catalan club would have to work a lot upon. Sergi Roberto played as third option for the spot of defensive midfielder after Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano.

Sergi Samper is expected to be the next Barcelona youngster to step up

Roberto was decent but he failed to grab the eyeballs. It looks quite evident that he won’t be getting enough playtime next season too and hence a loan transfer would be the best thing for him. Sergi Samper and Alen Halilovic are two most talented midfielders currently playing for Barcelona B. Many of the club veterans including Xavi himself have spoken very highly of Samper and they look towards him as the new big thing.

It’d be a great idea to promote him next season and give him the opportunity to develop under the wings of Sergio Busquets, his idol. Halilovic is also a talented midfielder but his style of playing is quite different than that of Barcelona. Hence, the sooner he’s integrated into the team, the better he’d become. Thus, it’d be a big responsibility for the youngsters but they have all the ability to prove vital for the first team.

The youth can step up for the Catalans

Munr El Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez, both are the most promising forwards from Barcelona’s academy and they have proved it very well this season. At the start of the season, when Suarez was banned, coach Luis Enrique used these youngsters in first team. And the boys too, did not disappoint as they put on some excellent showing.

Though, they have all the talent and potential, the thing that they need the most is first team experience. And sending them out on loan at a club where they’d get ample playing time will be a great idea. They’d get enough time to develop themselves before fighting for the spot in star-studded Barcelona team. Another reason for them to go out on loan is, Barcelona’s reserves team is now relegated to the third division.

The third division has bad quality pitches and teams that focus on physicality rather than technique. The third division would be a bad place for them to develop and hence, a loan transfer would be a good idea.

Pedro was one of the key players at Barcelona during the days of Pep Guardiola, but now, upon arrival of Neymar and Luis Suarez, he lost his starting spot. Pedro is a good option on bench but the player recently expressed his desire to leave and the club should have no problem with that as they have enough options to take his spot.

Deulofeu, who spent a season on loan at Sevilla will return this summer. Deulofeu is a great talent but needs to be developed under a good coach and Luis Enrique is up for that challenge.

Adama Traore, is also one of the most promising wingers from Barcelona’s academy and has put up some excellent performances for reserves team this season. It’d be a great idea to make these two youngsters compete for the spot of Suarez or Neymar’s first option on bench. The potential is definitely there.

If these issues are addressed in time, Barcelona can cope with the transfer embargo and prepare a strong squad for upcoming season.