LaLiga 2019/2020: Ideal midfield combination for Barcelona

The 2019/2020 season would be a crucial one for Barcelona, as they seek to rise back to the top of European football.

Though they might be two-time defending LaLiga champions, it is in the Champions League where their eyes are most set, as it’s been four years since the Blaugrana laid their hands on the most prestigious trophy in club football.

The arrival of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid would go some way in helping the club achieve their goal, but there are other areas where Ernesto Valverde would have to get right, one of which is in midfield.

Once famed for their midfield majesty, Barcelona have fallen some way off those illustrious times when their midfield was manned by the godlike Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. Nowadays, the Barcelona midfield has mortals on its roster.

However, that is taking nothing away from the current crop, as they still have immense talent of their own and rank among the best on the planet. Valverde still has a number of top quality midfielders to pick from and his job would be getting the right system to make them all tick.

Barcelona’s play is very much dependent on a functional midfield (albeit on a lower level than a few years ago), as their possession-based style of play emphasizes on retention of the ball in the middle of the park.

It is for this reason that the getting the right system in midfield is of paramount importance to Barcelona’s chances of success next season.

Therefore, in this piece, we shall be highlighting the ideal combination in midfield for the Blaugrana in the 2019/2020 season.

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Sergio Busquets – Defensive midfield

Busquets has been the first choice in defensive midfield for Barcelona in the last decade

While Xavi and Iniesta might have won most of the plaudits for their displays in midfield during Barcelona’s golden years, Sergio Busquets was as important or even more so than the pair, with his displays at the base of midfield being critical to Barcelona’s success.

Having coached him at youth level, Pep Guardiola made the then controversial decision in 2008 to play a young and inexperienced Busquets at the expense of Yaya Toure, but a decade on; it has proven to be a master stroke from the current Manchester City boss.

Throughout the course of his career with Barcelona and Spain, the 31-year-old has won everything there is to be won and thereby, would go down in history as one of the best players in Barcelona’s history as well as one of the greatest in his position.

Though lacking in the aggression and tenacity associated with players in his position, what Busquets lacks in aggression, he more than makes up for in guile and technique, while his cold blooded demeanor means that he is rarely troubled even under the most intense pressure.

Busquets’ calm and composed style of play means that he rarely has to make tackles, as his immaculate reading of the game helps him make interceptions before his opponents know what hit them.

Valverde has largely stuck to the traditional 4-3-3 system throughout his Barcelona managerial tenure, and it is one he is likely to continue with next season, with Busquets acting as the shield in front of the defense.

Frenkie de Jong - Left central midfield

FC Barcelona Pre-Season Training Session

Frenkie de Jong is the latest midfield gem to be unleashed on the world from Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam.

The Dutch side and Barcelona have many similarities in both playing pattern and player development and the reason for this is not far-fetched, as the La Masia concept was a direct implementation by the legendary Johan Cruyff of the system already available at Ajax (which he also introduced).

Frenkie was one of the shining lights of Ajax's stellar campaign last season, making 52 appearances in all competitions and contributing four goals and four assists to help Ajax to the domestic double and semifinal of the Champions League.

It therefore came as no surprise when Barcelona sanctioned his purchase for the sum of €75m.

Though he primarily operated in the 'Busquets role' at Ajax, the 22-year-old is also very comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Frenkie de Jong would be an instant fit into the Barcelona midfield, as he possesses all the prerequisites for success, and fans got a first taste of what he can do when he starred in a 45-minute cameo in the Rakuten Cup clash with Chelsea.

Arthur/ Sergi Roberto - Right central midfield

Roberto could be preferred for his defensive solidity

Arthur arrived Barcelona in the summer of 2018, but had a slow start to life at the Camp Nou as Ernesto Valverde did not give him playing opportunities.

A mini-crisis at the club at the start of September however forced his manager into handing the Goiania native his first Barcelona start in the Champions League against Tottenham.

Arthur impressed everyone with his calmness on the ball and general display in the match, sending social media into meltdown with many comparing him to Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez.

It is no hidden secret that the club have struggled to fill Xavi's immense boots since he departed Nou Camp four years ago, and Arthur's stake to his throne was given huge validity when the man in question admitted his admiration for the Brazilian international.

As much as football purists and aesthetics would like to see a Barcelona midfield consisting of Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Arthur Melo, chances are high that this would not be Valverde's first choice midfield combination.

The 51-year-old is an extremely pragmatic coach who prioritizes defensive solidity above anything else, and the speculated departure of Ivan Rakitic could have a major impact on his midfield trio next season.

For the last two years, the Croat has been his manager's go-to guy for defensive solidity in the middle, but if he departs, Valverde could turn to another player in his stead.

Sergi Roberto is another Barcelona trained midfielder who has played the last few years out of position at right-back.

The 27-year-old, despite starring in his converted role has not hidden his desire to return to his more traditional position, and Valverde too, has hinted at a role higher up the field.

In Barcelona's first game of preseason against Chelsea, the 51-year-old started Roberto on the right side of midfield and while it is pertinent to note that Arthur was not available, it could be indicative of Valverde's intention to deploy Sergi Roberto in midfield next season.

Sergi Roberto's time at right-back makes him more defensively aware than Arthur, and as such, Valverde would likely lean more towards him than the Brazilian.