4 Barcelona superstars who deserve more minutes this season

Barcelona superstar - Ousmane Dembele
Barcelona superstar - Ousmane Dembele

For the first time in many years, FC Barcelona's squad finally looks alive - with plenty of incredible talent representing the LaLiga champions in their starting line-up and most importantly, on the bench.

This has introduced an intense competition for places in the starting XI, as these fantastic superstars continue to fight for the chance to break into, or maintain their places in the first team - forcing the manager Ernesto Valverde to adopt a rotation policy in order to make opportunities available to his players.

But despite his efforts, Valverde is yet to get a perfect rotation system for his team, as some of these players haven't gotten adequate opportunities to prove their incredible abilities, while some who have gotten in deserve more for their amazing displays for La Blaugrana so far.

Therefore, we take a look at 4 amazing Barcelona superstars who deserve to be granted more time privileges this season.


#4 Malcom

The Brazilian was signed from Lyon in the summer, and he impressed during pre-season
The Brazilian was signed from Lyon in the summer, and he impressed during pre-season

Barcelona went head-to-head with Serie A giants Roma when they hijacked a move for former Olympique Lyon winger Malcom this summer, and the 21-year-old impressed against the Italian outfit when the two sides met in the International Champions Cup recently - scoring a fantastic goal, as well as putting up decent displays in other pre-season games.

A couple of spectacular performances during the off-season got Barcelona fans craving to watch their newly signed starlet in action during the new term, but the Brazilian has found it difficult to find opportunities at the Nou Camp - he has yet to start any match for the LaLiga champions, and has recorded just 25 minutes on the pitch so far in the campaign.

Malcom is a highly talented winger with immense pace, incredible link-up, and unbelievable dribbling skills. The attacker is one of the most promising youngsters on the planet at the moment, just as we saw during the pre-season, and Barcelona must give him enough playing time in order to help him reach his full potential.

#3 Ousmane Dembele

Dembele has put his injury crisis behind him and started the campaign in electrifying form
Dembele has put his injury crisis behind him and started the campaign in
electrifying
form

Following a difficult debut season with Barcelona during the 2017-18 campaign in which French wonderkid Ousmane Dembele failed to make any meaningful impact at the Nou Camp amidst injury concerns, the attacker has come back into the new season with a great determination to put things right.

The former Borussia Dortmund winger has been at an unbelievable level ever since the campaign began this term, putting up a couple of outstanding performances, and recording an incredible 4 goals to his name across all competitions.

It initially looked as though Dembele had secured a place for himself in the starting lineup after starting a couple of LaLiga games for the Spanish giants. However, the Frenchman has found his opportunities get limited at the Nou Camp thereafter - dropped to the bench during Barcelona's last 2 games which included a vital clash against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League.

The youngster just started gathering confidence after a troubled campaign in Catalonia last season, and with his incredible performances so far, Barcelona must give him more opportunities to ensure that he continues with his upward trajectory.

All stats via transfermarkt

#2 Arturo Vidal

The Chilean has struggled to get game time following his move from Bayern Munich this summer
The Chilean has struggled to get game time following his move from Bayern Munich this summer

Following the departure of Brazilian superstar Paulinho who returned to the Chinese Super League in the summer, Barcelona decided to sign another physical midfielder to replace the Guangzhou Evergrande ace, and they got a great deal by luring Arturo Vidal from Bayern Munich.

A highly talented superstar with immense experience, and an incredible fighting spirit, Vidal was expected to slot into the team following his arrival at the Nou Camp this summer, but the reverse has been the case so far as the midfielder has started only 2 games for La Blaugrana since the beginning of the season.

A player of Vidal's status and experience does not deserve to be a bench warmer, and Ernesto Valverde must find a way of fitting the former Bayern Munich midfielder into his plans so he can also have an impact on the team.

The Chilean impressed in the game against Bilbao recently, combining his immense physicality and technical skills to put up a brilliant performance that suggests he is ready for first-team action.

#1 Arthur Melo

The rise of Arthur Melo must give Ernesto Valverde something to think about
The rise of Arthur Melo must give Ernesto Valverde something to think about

Apart from the never ending brilliance of Lionel Messi who continues to mesmerise the Camp Nou faithful with his incredible talent, the rise of Arthur Melo has been the only positive that has captured the attention of Barcelona fans during the past few games.

The Brazilian was signed by La Blaugrana from Gremio during the summer transfer window, and he has been nothing short of a reincarnation of Barcelona's midfield legend, Xavi Hernandez - thanks to his impressive displays during his last 2 matches for the Catalan giants.

Arthur got his first competitive start for Barcelona during their Champions League encounter with Tottenham Hotspur last week, and the Brazilian surprised everyone with his unbelievable performance, controlling the tempo of the game, helping in holding possession, as well as earning a lot of plaudits from football fans and pundits alike.

With such incredible displays, it is quite evident that the midfielder does not belong on the bench. As a matter of fact, it is time for the Brazilian to be unleashed by Ernesto Valverde, and we could see another Xavi Hernandez in the making.

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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.