FC Barcelona’s have been the model of consistency in the last few years, with a stable squad guiding them to consecutive La Liga titles. Things are considerably much concerning at the moment, as the vultures circulate with Luis Enrique’s job on the line after a disappointing first half of the season has left them staring up at Sevilla and Real Madrid in the Liga table.
A squad that seemed invincible and downright perfect just a year back has seen inconsistencies creep in by the dozen, with almost every position underperforming, even the famed MSN trio. The squad is in need of rejuvenation and thus, the board at FC Barcelona will have to scour the transfer market for solutions.
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Here are 5 players Barca should target during the winter transfer window:
#1 Philippe Coutinho
Wrestling Coutinho away from Liverpool would require a significant outlay on Barcelona’s part, especially with the Reds being in the middle of the Premier League title race. Barcelona, however, are the bigger club with a greater pedigree, and could tempt Liverpool to part with their superstar much like they did Luis Suarez a few years earlier.
It’s odd to even write the words that Barcelona have been struggling with creativity, but the La Liga giants’ chance creation rate is way below average this season. When a quarter of Barcelona’s goals have come from set-pieces, there is something seriously wrong in midfield – MSN cannot be relied upon to create everything.
Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic are usually the ones to start an attacking move, but both have been off the boil this season, with Arda Turan, Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes being adequate, but not impressive enough. Coutinho has been involved in 10 goals from 13 games for Liverpool in the league with 33 chances created, but that is not all he brings to the table.
The Brazilian maestro shares a great understanding with Neymar Jr. and with one signing, Barcelona would significantly improve their goal threat collectively and obliterate Neymar’s barren spell in front of goal. Coutinho won’t come cheap though, and Barcelona might have to spend all of their transfer budget on a single player, which might tempt Luis Enrique to look elsewhere.
#2 Dele Alli
From being signed from MK Dons for a paltry £5 million, to having Real Madrid and Barcelona fight for your £70 million signature, Tottenham Hotspur star Dele Alli has come a long way. The English youngster exploded onto the scene last year, and his performances this season have shown that he is no one-season wonder.
Under Maurizio Pochettino, Dele Alli has grown into a bonafide Premier League star – the 20-year-old has scored 10 goals and assisted 1 in 19 games for Spurs this league season. Barcelona are in need of his 27 chances created, and has the capacity to be a long term replacement for Andres Iniesta or even the box-to-box role.
Trying to outbid Real Madrid is never a winning proposition, but Barcelona might consider the Englishman to be a more realistic prospect than Coutinho. Even if Barcelona might not get him this January, the chance to play with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar might be enough to unsettle Dele Alli, with Barca swooping in to sign him this summer.
#3 Fabinho
Ask any Barcelona fan the one position they want to improve this transfer window, and the unanimous answer is right-back. Sergi Roberto is not a natural full-back, and it shows – Barcelona have struggled to provide a threat from the right touchline this year, especially with Messi playing more centrally.
Hector Bellerin would have been an ideal buy, but the Arsenal man is in no mood to leave the Gunners. Barcelona can solve much of their problems if they bring in AS Monaco’s Fabinho – who has been instumental in thier rise to 2nd place in Ligue 1.
The former Real Madrid player considers himself a natural fullback, and his blazing runs from right-back were one of the best attacking strategies of Monaco last season. This year, Fabinho has transitioned to the defensive midfield role, where he has been a revelation, having a successful duel rate of a stunning 72% and yet has had the time to score 5 times.
Thus Fabinho could solve Barca’s right-back problem, and provide back up for Sergio Busquets, all while allowing Barcelona fans to rub it in Madridista faces. What’s not to love?
#4 Marco Veratti
“Marco is well in Paris, but his career is not only in the French league.” – An agent who makes this statement is clearly angling for his player to make a move. Marco Verratti won’t come cheap, but if Barcelona manage to tempt the Italian away from Paris St-Germain, they will be buying a player worth every penny of his undoubtedly astronomical fee.
Even though PSG are in the midst of a relatively poor season, Verratti has been racking up some incredible numbers, including a take-on success rate of a staggering 88.46% (the average for top defensive midfielders hovers around 60%). What this stat means is that Verratti is supreme at linking up defence and attack – a role Sergio Busquets has struggled with this season.
Barcelona build from the back, and nowhere were the struggles of Sergio Busquets more apparent than in the Copa del Rey game against Bilbao, where Barcelona struggled to get out from their half as their normally reliable defensive midfielder kept losing the ball under pressure.
Marco Verratti would be an ideal player – he’s equally adept at the defensive and attacking side of things, which means he could replace both Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in Barca’s strongest XI.
#5 Kostas Manolas
Barcelona have been very ‘creative’ in the transfer market of late – such as the success of the buyback clauses they have opted to use instead of loans – like the case of Denis Suarez. The Catalans might have very well pulled off a masterstroke when they loaned Thomas Vermaelen to AS Roma, as Barcelona have reportedly the first option on Kostas Manolas.
The Greek centre-back has been one of the best defenders across Europe this season, as is borne out by his stats. Manolas has made 38 interceptions and 99 clearances in Serie A, but what will impress Luis Enrique is his ability to marry a defensive instict with an ability to play the ball out from the back, as the Greek centre-back has a pass completion rate of 88%.
Manchester United have reportedly tabled a £47.6 bid, which could price Barcelona out of the market. Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti have been relatively impressive for the Blaugrana this season, but with Javier Mascherano declining rapidly, Barcelona are in the need of defensive options soon, with Manolas a perfect long-term candidate.
