5 Barcelona players who have a point to prove this pre-season

Barcelona are replete with underperformers, but this pre-season presents is last chance to prove
Barcelona are replete with underperformers, but this pre-season presents last chance to prove

FC Barcelona soon jet off to the States for the International Champions Cup 2018 as the pre-season tour is set to commence soon. The Spanish champions accordingly announced the 28-member squad for the same that unsurprisingly sees several World Cup stars left out, bringing along a much-weakened side comprising of fringe players and also teenagers from the academy.

Whilst the excitement of watching them play some really intriguing fixtures is already killed, it nevertheless presents an opportunity to the substitutes, who're linked with a move away from the club, a final opportunity to make an impression in the hopes of securing some first-team football next season. And also rescue their Barcelona career.

The Blaugrana have been blighted by several unsuccessful transfers in the recent times. But here are 5 players drinking in the last chance saloon and have to prove a point in this trip, else risk being loaned out or sold permanently:


#5 Rafinha Alcantara

Rafinha had quiet a successful loan spell with Inter Milan last season
Rafinha had quite a successful loan spell with Inter Milan last season

Having found first-team opportunities severely limited with Barcelona, the Brazilian was finally shipped off to Inter Milan in January this year. He had a fine time with the Nerazzurri, starting 17 league games, scoring twice and assisting thrice to help bring Champions League nights back to the San Siro. However, he's now back to his old stomping ground and would participate in the pre-season.

Rafinha was found quoting towards the tail end of last season that he's happy at Inter, capitalizing on the chances presented to him and seamlessly slotting into the team. They have the option of buying him permanently for €35 million, but that seems unlikely to happen now with the Milan outfit investing in Radja Nainngolan instead. So Rafinha is effectively back to square one unless another lucrative offer comes to pass.

Right now, Turkish side Fenerbahce are the only ones reported to be interested in the 25-year old. His performances in the ICC would decide his future as a stellar pre-season can help him either get more time with the Blaugrana next season or attract interest from the mightier quarters of European football. Either way, Rafinha is in for a challenging pre-season.

#4 Denis Suarez

Buying back Denis Suarez hasn't turned out be a successful move
Buying back Denis Suarez hasn't turned out be a successful move

Following impressive loan spells at Sevilla and Villarreal, Barcelona decided to exercise the buyback option and brought Suarez to the Camp Nou in 2016. But his senior call-up hasn't gone according to plan and his future with the club now stands precariously on the horns of a dilemma.

Manager Ernesto Valverde didn't trust him enough as the 24-year old played 9 games fewer last season compared to what he did under Enrique in 2016/17, but did finish the previous campaign strongly, though that may not be enough to warrant regular opportunities in the new season. Despite the difficulties, Suarez is rumored to be happy to remain at Barcelona but reports suggest Valverde would have the final say on this saga.

Then in that case, a good pre-season might persuade the gaffer to keep him for another year but more importantly, hand more game time. It's make or break for Denis Suarez.

#3 Aleix Vidal

Alcacer was far from his Valencian self
Vidal has found life difficult at Barcelona

The journeyman was received to a lot of fanfare upon his arrival from Sevilla in 2015, but the €18 million outlay for his acquisition is yet to come to fruition. Vidal has played only 30 league games since the switch, starting only 15. He was thought to succeed Dani Alves in the right wingback position after the Brazilian departed in 2016, but Sergi Roberto was chosen over him as Vidal continues to wait in the wings.

Recent reports suggest Inter Milan are interested in him, although there's nothing concrete to suggest he's on his way out of Barcelona. But Vidal stares at another season of frustration if things continue this way. He's certain to start in these friendly games and would have to grab the chances with both hands to stand any chance of breaking his way into the first team next season.

#2 Paco Alcacer

Alcacer has been far from his rip-roaring Valencian self
Alcacer has been far from his rip-roaring Valencian self

He was brought in as a backup to Luis Suarez, but Alcacer hasn't done enough to be an able one. The former Valencia hitman is also blighted by the extremely limited chances given to him to prove his worth, starting only 14 league games in 2 seasons with the Blaugrana.

Things started looking on the up during the initial weeks of last season whilst also bagging a brace against Sevilla at one point, but it was a mere false dawn as he continued to warm the bench for a majority of the season. He also played just three games in the Copa Del Rey last term, starting two, suggesting his future in the Catalan capital looks bleak.

Rumors of a move have been floating around for quite a while now, while there's no word on striking reinforcements from the club too. But Alcacer would be offloaded if a genuine option emerges in the near future. Else, he can prove a point in the pre-season and make a strong case for himself.

#1 Andre Gomes

Gomes has cut a largely frustrated figure at Barcelona
Gomes has cut a largely frustrated figure at Barcelona

Barcelona have signed as many as 9 players in the last two years, but none have disappointed quiet like Andre Gomes. The Portuguese was signed on the back of his performances in Selecao's unlikely Euro 2016 triumph, but he's been a shadow of that promising self ever since he put on the Catalan colours.

He played almost half the number of games last term compared to his debut campaign and his continued stinkers on the field haven't helped his cause either. It has in fact justified Valverde's refusal to play him much. Gomes has been played in multiple positions so far, but yet to truly identify his forte. The €35 million outlay in his pursuit makes him an expensive flop as he was also dropped from Portugal's 23-man squad for the World Cup.

His future is seriously up in the air as some Spanish tabloids suggest a departure is inevitable now, though he is still traveling to the US with the group. Even a successful pre-season now doesn't appear to suffice, such is his grim status at the club.

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Edited by Zeeshan Ali