Rating Barcelona's summer signings

The last summer was a busy one for Barcelona as the Catalans splashed a mouth watering 157 million to sign seven players. Since they were aware of the transfer ban which was looming over their head at that time, Barcelona decided to invest big in that window to address all their problems in the squad.They captured the controversial frontman Luis Suarez from Liverpool despite being aware of his ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini in the World Cup. They signed a midfielder Ivan Rakitic, along with three defenders Jeremy Mathieu, Thomas Vermaelen, Douglas Periera and a couple of goalkeepers Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.With half way gone in the season, Barcelona are not exactly where the fans would have wished for them to be in the league table. So let us look at how the new signings have performed so far in the season:

#1 Luis Suarez

Despite Suarez being one of football's most divisive figures, his inability to stay out of trouble has overshadowed his potential. His talent has never been in question, but controversy never seems to be far from him, making it all the more surprising that Barcelona gambled £75 million on taking him to Camp Nou from Liverpool last summer.

The year of 2014 perfectly described Suarez career so far in the footballing world. He finished the 2013-14 season as the Premier League's top scorer after bagging an astounding 31 goals from just 33 games. Then came the World Cup debacle, from being the two goal-hero against England, controversy once again loomed him in the following match for biting Chiellini, which resulted in a four-month ban from football.

After missing the opening exchanges, the Uruguayan made his debut in El Clasico. Within four minutes Suarez showed his ability by playing a major role in Neymar's opener. However, Barcelona never managed to build on the lead and collapsed to a 3-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabau.

Since then he has managed to have an indifferent season for Barcelona. He has so far scored six goals and manged 10 assists for Barcelona. The real question is – Has he made the right decision to join a team which already has Lionel Messi and Neymar in his position? Only time will tell.

Rating – 7/10

#2 Claudio Bravo

Following Bravo's excellent performances for Real Sociedad, Barcelona shelled out €9 million (potentially rising to €12 million) to secure the Chilean's services. At the time it was unclear whether Bravo would be the first choice goalkeeper as many though he will be a deputy to Ter Stegen.

But after being given the nod ahead of the German stopper, Bravo has shown his true abilities to be a real asset in goal for the Catalan giants. He started the season in magnificent form, not allowing a single goal for the first 754 minutes, a new La Liga record.

At €9 million, the Chilean shot-stopper was one of the bargains of the summer and his performances in La Liga have been exceptional, saving the Catalans multiple points in what has so far been an indifferent season for Barcelona.

Rating – 8/10

#3 Ivan Rakitic

Rakaitic was one of the key elements in Sevilla's Europa League triumph last season. His impressive performance that season attracted interest from various corners of the world. Even premier league clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal were said to be interested in the midfielder. But, Barcelona was the one who finally got him.

Rakitic started the season in fine form by bagging two assists and a goal in the opening few weeks. But, he faded away after the early exchanges, which prompted the manager to restore the old veteran Xavi in place of Rakitic. The Croatian had to watch the 3-1 defeat from bench against Real Madrid.

But after Xavi got injured, Rakitic got his opportunity once more, which he seems to have taken with both hands. He played a crucial role in the 3-1 win over the defending champions Atletico Madrid and grabbed a couple more assists when he was asked to play as a number 10 against Deportivo. Rakitic's four goals and five assists so far in Barcelona's shirt may not be brilliant stuff, but late signs are proving that the midfielder is moving in the right direction to become the player many were expecting him to be.

Rating – 7/10

#4 Jeremy Mathieu

The 31-year-old defender was the first proper defender signed by Barcelona in many years after forcing the likes of Javier Mascherano, Sergio Busquets and Alex Song to play has make-shit centre halves in the past few seasons. However, as far as Mathieu is considered, central defence has not always been his ideal position, as he spent majority of his time as a left back with his former employee, Valencia.

Standing at an imposing 6 feet 2 inches, Mathieu certainly has the necessary quality to command the penalty box in set-piece situations. But the real debate is about the players overall defending in other areas of the pitch. Luis Enrique also looks to be unsure about the best position for the player as Mathieu has been deployed in both, centre and left back, positions.

Notably, in the 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid, Mathieu played as a left back. His pace on the left side was considered as the weakest link for the Catalans on that night. He has so far featured 19 times for Barcelona in all competitions. But, he has not managed to register a guaranteed starting place in either position. So it is unclear why Barcelona paid a record fee for the Frenchman who couldn't even make his national squad for the 2014 World Cup.

Rating – 6/10

#5 Marc-Andre ter Stegen

The young German goalkeeper had been on Barcelona's radar for a long time now. He finally made his long-expected move to Barcelona in the summer of 2014 after both Valdes and Pinto left the club. With just 22 years of age, the player has an entire career ahead of him.

Hence, when Barcelona finally signed Ter Stegen, some section of the fans sighed a huge sigh of relief, while the other section was not entirely convinced in having a youngster as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper. A view which the manager Luis Enrique also seems to share as he gave the nod to another new signing Bravo ahead of the young German in goal.

After the way Bravo impressed at the start of the season, its no wonder Ter Stegen had to settle for a place on the bench in the league matches. However, he got his chance in the cup and European matches, starting all 6 of Barcelona’s Champions League games this season. He has done reasonably well in those games. But, in order to become the undisputed number one in a Barcelona jersey, the young German still has a long way to go.

Rating – 6.5/10

#6 Thomas Vermaelen

The 29-year-old could easily be inducted in the hall of fame for the flop signings of all time, if he does not recover from his injury anytime soon to prove his haters wrong. The Belgian is yet to make a debut for the Catalans following his summer move from Arsenal.

Vermaelen began his career with Ajax and spent five seasons at the Emirates, where he transformed into a top class centreback. However, the injuries which he suffered in the last few season combined with his less than impressive on the field form, Vermaelen had to settle for the bench. Hence, when Barcelona provided him the escape route from London, he gladly took the opportunity.

However, the injury which he suffered in the World Cup while playing against Russia delayed him from making his Barcelona debut. The niggling injury never look to have healed as he suffered one after another which forced him to undergo a surgery a month back. With him yet to return from the injury and with many rumours suggesting that the season might be over for the centre-half, its hard to imagine how the Barcelona camp might be feeling about his current situation.

Rating – 0/10

#7 Douglas Pereira dos Santos

The young defender was the sixth Brazilian full-back signed by Barcelona following their previous captures of Dani Alves, Maxwell, Adriano, Juliano Belletti and Sylvinho. The full-back was signed as a deputy and a possible replacement for the aging Dani Alves.

The 24-year-old began his career with Goias, where he spent four seasons. Then he spent three seasons with Sao Paulo before moving to Barcelona for an initial €4-million deal which could rise to another €1.5 million according to the number of games the right back plays.

However, the defender has so far struggled to showcase his true potential with the Catalans. He has started just the three games along with four substitute appearances in all competitions for the Catalans. He has been decent while going forward as the defender has two assists to his name, but has struggled at the back. Martin Montoya, the club’s home-grown prospect has taken advantage of this situation to get regular first team football lately. Its now up to Douglas to regain the place from Montoya.

Rating – 4/10