4 Reasons why Antoine Griezmann will be a perfect fit for Barcelona

RCD Espanyol v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga
RCD Espanyol v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga

French attacker Antoine Griezmann has been heavily linked with a move to La Liga Champions FC Barcelona for the second season running. However, this time on, the possibility of Griezmann becoming a Barcelona player seems like only a matter of time, as the Frenchman declared that he is leaving Atletico Madrid at the end of the season.

Barcelona’s dream to win the Champions League again was shattered by Liverpool, after the Catalan giants somehow conspired to throw away a 3-0 deficit from the first leg, handing the Reds a 4-0 victory in the second leg. La Blaugrana looked pale at Anfield and had nowhere to hide from a Liverpool hammering.

Barcelona’s shameful defeat was not a fluke by any means, as they previously surrendered a similar kind of lead in Roma last season and proved the old cliché of “lightning doesn’t strike twice” wrong. A section of Barcelona faithful and pundits blamed the way Catalan giants approached the second leg, but in reality, the Reds exposed Barcelona’s tactical naivety in a really bad manner.

With four back-to-back failures to bring Europe’s most prestigious trophy back to the Camp Nou, it no longer needs rocket science to realize that Barcelona need to make changes in their squad in order to regain their European supremacy.

Although Barcelona have already confirmed the signing of Frenkie de Jong of Ajax and are still in pursuit to get the signature of his countryman Matthijs de Ligt, they are still in search of a replacement for their ageing striker Luis Suárez and Griezmann might be the final piece of jigsaw that they have been searching for.

Here are the four reasons why the World Cup winner with France will be a perfect fit for Barcelona.


#4 Tremendous work ethic

Griezmann is more famous for his lethalness in front of the goal, but the hard shifts he puts in week in week out is astounding.

His off the ball skills are as good as his on the ball ability. The way he presses his opponents will just be exactly what the doctor ordered for Barcelona. He has also got the knack of tracking back when his defense is feeling the heat.

All the successful Barcelona teams of the past were known for their pressing and the way they did it in a collective manner. But there is a theory going on in Catalunya that this team looks a shadow of their past because they stopped the high pressing, which played a huge role in their way to success.

With Messi and Suárez both reluctant to put the hard yards nowadays, Griezmann might provide Barcelona the balance between the attack and defense, which they lacked recently.

#3 Great link-up play

Athletic Club v  Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga
Athletic Club v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga

The 28-year-old Atléti superstar has the great ability to play a one-two in a very tight space and has the gifted sense of opposition’s positioning all the time.

The way Griezmann performed over the years for both Atlético Madrid and for the French national team, is a clear indication that he can be as good as anyone when it comes to holding on to the ball and create spaces for his partners.

With Messi always lurking just outside the box, these two can form a formidable partnership for the Blaugranas. Both Messi and Griezmann can also play in the hole and feed each other with crucial key passes.

Griezmann has also got a through ball in him which Barcelona have thrived for, since the departure of Andres Iniesta to Japan. There shouldn’t be any hint of doubt, given the quality Griezmann will bring to this already incredible attacking Barcelona line-up.

#2 Help to solve the Dembele conundrum

France v Australia: Group C - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
France v Australia: Group C - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Barcelona have to solve the ongoing Dembele saga as soon as possible. Since joining the La Liga giants in the summer of 2017 as a probable replacement for Neymar, the hugely talented attacker failed miserably to contribute in the European stage for Barcelona.

The 22-year-old Frenchman had the worst possible start to his Barcelona career as he suffered a hamstring injury in his first few days as a Barcelona player. Apart from his injury prone nature, the former Dortmund winger was also a subject of various criticism because of his indiscipline lifestyle.

Being his compatriot, Griezmann can take him under his wings and help him to realize what it takes to play for such a huge club.

Apart from the great friendship both of them share on and off the field, the arrival of Griezmann will also help Dembele out tactically. The Atleti man loves to play in a deep role and is a master at finding the willing runners like Dembele, with his defence splitting through balls. If these two can form some sort of understanding between each other, then the opposition's defenders are bound to have nightmares.

If Griezmann can unlock the full potential that Dembele has in his locker, then it will be a double bonanza for Barcelona as they will get the best out of each other.

#1 Proven European pedigree

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - UEFA Super Cup
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - UEFA Super Cup

Barcelona took a gamble in bringing in both Dembele and Coutinho to regain their lost crown in European stage. But both of them kind of failed Barcelona as they flounder to influence Barcelona’s team play and be the match winner in huge European nights.

However, with Griezmann, Barcelona will have a proven quality who knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed at such a big stage. Not to forget, Griezmann played a very influential role in Atletico Madrid’s journey to the Champions League final in both 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons.

Griezmann has also lifted last year’s Europa League after beating Marseille of France 3-0 in the final. He was also crowned with tournament’s best player award as he played a key role in Diego Simeone’s blueprint.

Griezmann has netted 27 times in 56 appearances in Europe for the Los Colchoneros and Barcelona will have a proven goal scorer in their ranks if they can manage to bring the World Cup winner to the Camp Nou.

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Edited by Aaditya Narayan