With the exit from the UEFA Champions League and the chance to only possibly win the double this season, Barcelona have failed to live up to their previous season. Luis Enrique signed very few but talented players in the past three windows and they've all done well for the club bar a few signings. Then there are the few stars who have come in this season and have faced little or no judgement thanks to the transfer embargo the club were under.
While the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique being untouchables, there are a bunch of Catalan superstars who the club should arrange moves for.
Here are five Barcelona stars who the club ought to get rid of and possible replacements:
#5 Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The only reason Marc-Andre ter Stegen is this low on the list is because as a departure, he wouldn't affect the first team considerably. The German – who signed from Borussia Monchengladbach – has been the Catalan's go-to UEFA Champions League keeper this season.
With only four Liga appearances this season, the German has been linked with moves to the English Premier League with Manchester City and Liverpool touted as possible destinations. Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola – who is to take over at the Etihad – has expressed an interest in signing the 23-year-old.
Barcelona have used Chilean Claudio Bravo as their Liga keeper and are likely to keep him in the squad just for that purpose. His sale wouldn't in any considerably affect the squad making it an easier-than-usual decision.
Possible replacements: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mattia Perin and Thibaut Courtois.
#4 Cristian Tello
Its a surprise the 24-year-old Cristian Tello is still a Barcelona player in the books. The winger never quite established himself in the first-team squad and is surely to be sold this summer with a bunch of Serie A clubs interested – including current loan-home AFC Florentina.
While the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Pedro and then Neymar were all preferred on the wings, young Tello never had the chance to really make an impact at the Camp Nou. His directness when on the ball is an essential asset for any team but at Barcelona, they have the best in Neymar and Lionel Messi to do that.
Another move that wouldn't necessarily affect the first-team, Tello could move for a fairly less amount given his age and a soon-expiring Barcelona contract. The only downside to Tello's transfer away from Barcelona would be the loss of a born and bred Catalonian.
Possible replacements: Ousmane Dembele, Julian Draxler and Kingsley Coman.
#3 Thomas Vermaelen
Thomas Vermaelen was seen as a smart investment when he moved to the side from English giants, Arsenal, for a relatively modest €19 million in 2014. The Belgian international has been a flop since he joined the Catalans. Even though he won the quintuple last season, his time at the Camp Nou has been freckled.
The former Arsenal captain is thirty and isn't seen as the kind of centre-back who is capable of partnering Gerard Pique in the near future. The Belgian has suffered multiple injuries since joining the club and will do well with a move away from the spotlight to focus on the few years he has remaining in his career.
Vermaelen's exit from the first-team squad is surely going to force the club to sign a replacement but a ball-playing non-injured one at that. There aren't too many ball-playing defenders in the game but that isn't an excuse to keep the Belgian in the squad.
Possible replacements: Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic and Marquinhos.
#2 Jeremy Mathieu
Jeremy Mathieu was one of Luis Enrique's first signings and that trust has carried the Frenchman strong till this day. Mathieu has deputised for an injured Gerard Pique or Javier Mascherano in the Barcelona first team but his age, and his lesser influence on the games he's played on this season, could see him leave the Camp Nou this summer.
While Mathieu's experience and poise has helped the team on multiple occasions, even Luis Enrique will recognise the need to reinforce in the summer. His lack of pace on the turn is a huge worry for the Catalans especially since they play such a high line against most teams.
Much like Vermaelen, Mathieu's exit from the first-team will force the team to sign a new defender / promote from the youth. Gerard Pique remains the only senior centre-back who can consistently deliver. Javier Mascherano is a class player but much like the Frenchman, is unable to put in 100% in every game.
Possible replacements: Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic and Marquinhos.
#1 Alex Song
The Cameroonian has had a poor life at Barcelona. Another former Arsenal star, Song was expected to complement Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta as the one who broke down attacks and set the team on their way to counter but has failed to make any sort of impact to nail down a starting slot.
After being loaned back to London to West Ham United, Song has yet again proved to be a mistake. The likes of Cheikhou Kouyate and Pedro Obiang have often been preferred over the former Arsenal man possibly outlining his future in the club.
With a contract still with Barcelona, the club are sure to sell him on the cheap to any interested party ending any sort of association. A quality player on his day but his demand for a move to the Camp Nou from Arsenal ended the chance of him actually excelling on the big stage.
Possible replacements: Paul Pogba, Eric Dier and N'Golo Kante.
