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FC Barcelona is one of, if not the most prestigious club in the world. The best players have dawned the red and blue of the Blaugrana. From the first Spanish player to win the Ballon d'Or, Luis Suarez, to arguably the greatest player to grace the field, Leo Messi, all have lit up the Nou Camp from time to time.
The likes of Johann Cruyff, Pep Guardiola and Ferdinand Daučík have led teams to various eras of glory. Barcelona has amassed a total of 25 League titles, 30 League Cups, 13 Spanish Super Cups, 5 Champions Leagues, 4 UEFA Cup Winners Cups, 5 Super Cups and 3 Club World Cups. Barcelona is quite visible at the pinnacle of world football.
Over the years, Barcelona has proudly fielded players from their famed academy La Masia. Arguably the best period in the club's history, under the leadership of Guardiola, the likes of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol, Pique among others lined up together, all of whom came through the ranks of the clubs.
The pipeline of players from the youth team to the first team seemed to have dried up over the past few years with only Sergi Roberto establishing himself in the first team after years of being on the fringes and being played out of position. But now the likes of Carles Alena, Juan Miranda, Riqui Puig and Abel Ruiz are ready to burst through and establish themselves in the first team.
For these players to establish themselves, they need regular game time to make the step up from the youth team to the first team. Given that the squad currently has a host of ageing players and some players who're just not getting enough game time, it is best for everyone involved if they move on and allow the younger players to take the field.
Here are 3 players Barcelona should sell in the upcoming transfer window:
#3 Thomas Vermaelen
Thomas Vermaelen was a signing that caught everyone off guard. The former Arsenal captain has a reputation for having a body made of glass, constantly getting injured for long durations.
Signed as a backup for the likes of Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Javier Mascherano, it's time Barcelona get rid of him and allow youngsters like Chumi to develop.
Vermaelen has done the job he was signed to do. At 33, he's getting no younger and with a year left on his contract, it'll be good for the club to make whatever little they can on their €19 million investment.
He has cut out a pretty commendable career for himself, winning 9 trophies, including the Champions League and a hattrick of league titles and league cups.
He has run his course at the club and it's time to give his spot to someone much more younger, with one eye on the future.
#2 Denis Suarez
Denis Suarez is a really talented player, there are no two ways about it. The issue with him is that at the age that he is at, 24, he needs much more game time than he is getting at the moment. He needs to be establishing himself elsewhere as a regular first-team player. Someone playing week in and week out.
At the moment, Valverde has been trying his best to give him as many minutes as possible, but it's just not enough. Being played out of position on the wing hasn't helped him either. Earlier he was content with his game time, but now he's been getting vocal about his desire for more game time, in his preferred position, in the middle of the park.
Whenever called upon, he always puts in his best, having scored a brace in the Copa del Rey clash against Leonesa with the armband on. Currently, there are just too many players ahead of him in the pecking order for him to get the kind of minutes he desires. Busquets, Arthur, Rakitic, Vidal ahead of him.
With talks of Barcelona looking to sign Frenkie de Jong from Ajax, it would essentially spell the end of his Barcelona career. He's still young and a host of clubs could lineup to snap him up. Particularly, Chelsea and Arsenal seem to really like him. A move away could benefit everyone involved.
#1 Rafinha
The case with Rafinha is frustrating for both the player and the management. Every time he looks close to establishing himself as a first team regular, he has a major injury that rules him out for a long period of time.
This season has been again the same. Great performances against the likes of Real Madrid and Inter, on his way to becoming a regular and disaster strikes. Another long-term injury and he's back to square one.
This is no one's fault as such, but he has become someone who can't be relied upon by the manager for consistent performances over a period of an entire season. Alena has been promoted to the first team due to his current injury and could mean the end of his career at the club.
Alena has put in good performances whenever called upon, recently scoring his first Barcelona goal against Villareal. An attack-minded midfielder with an eye for a goal. Rafinha like his brother Thiago has been a victim of fate and just constant bad luck.
He had a good spell at Inter and might want to go back there once he returns from his injury, but he doesn't look like one who could establish himself in Barcelona's first team.
