'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona's season has ended with a whimper, with the team bowing out of the La Liga race after a disappointing loss to Celta Vigo.
Manager Ronald Koeman's future is in serious doubt, with Barcelona great Xavi reportedly set to take over for next season. Lionel Messi's future is in the air as well, with his contract expiring in the summer.
Heavy investment has to be made for Barcelona to return to the top. We take a look at the:
5 biggest mistakes made by Barcelona this season (2020/21)
#5 Arthur Melo-Miralem Pjanic swap
Arguably in last summer's most controversial deal, Arthur Melo and Miralem Pjanic swapped clubs; Arthur joined Juventus and Pjanic was signed by Barcelona.
The swap deal was understandably not well received by Barcelona fans. Arthur was regarded as an important part of Barcelona's revamp, and swapping the 24-year old for a 31-year old Pjanic was met with suspicion, especially after the financial specifications of the deal were released.
Nearly a season later, both players have struggled to get going at their respective clubs. Arthur has made just 13 Serie A starts for Juventus, while Pjanic has fared even worse, making just six league starts for Barcelona. If Juventus decide to sell the Brazilian in the summer they will recoup some of the money they paid to acquire him. Barcelona will not be able to say the same about Pjanic, unfortunately.
#4 Not giving opportunities to players like Riqui Puig
It would be a fair assessment to say that Barcelona's famed La Masia academy has dried up in recent years as far as producing stars for the future is concerned.
Riqui Puig was supposed to break that spell, though. A highly-rated talent during his Barcelona B days, Puig was regarded as Barcelona's future star, an excellent passer with good creativity who would dominate the midfield area for years to come.
The 21-year old is clearly not preferred by manager Ronald Koeman, though. Puig has barely featured under the Dutch manager, and has made just two starts in the league, scoring one goal.
Apart from Puig, young Portuguese forward Francisco Trincao, who was signed from Braga last summer for a fee of £28 million, has made just two starts as well. Trincao has been utilized 25 times off the bench and has been linked with a move away.
Also Read: 10 highest-paid athletes in the world (2021)
#3 Not signing a centre-back
Barcelona, due to financial constraints, were unable to spend a lot of money last summer. However, as the season progressed it became evident that they should have invested in a new centre-back.
The 34-year old Gerard Pique is still probably the most important defender in the Barcelona backline. Frenchmen Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti have endured poor seasons, and the onus has fallen on 22-year olds Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza to soak up the pressure and play many minutes.
Mingueza and Araujo have impressed with their performances, but this cannot go on. Umtiti looks likely to leave this summer, while a decision has to be taken on Lenglet. Manchester City centre-back Eric Garcia looks set to arrive on a free transfer and the 20-year old will be under immediate pressure to perform.
#2 Over-reliance on young stars like Pedri and Ansu Fati
When Barcelona sold the likes of Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal, Nelson Semedo and Ivan Rakitic last summer, it was seen as an ideal scenario to try and give young players a chance to shine.
However, there has been an over-reliance on young stars like Pedri and Ansu Fati. Fati began the season in sensational form, scoring 5 goals in 10 games in all competitions before getting injured. Pedri, who was signed last summer from Las Palmas, has been one of the best young players in the world this season.
The 18-year old has made 52 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona and has impressed with his performances. Apart from Pedri and Fati, 20-year old full-back Sergino Dest, acquired from Ajax last summer for a fee of £19 million, as well as centre-backs Mingueza and Araujo, have all featured consistently.
The lack of title winning experience in the squad has shown at crucial stages of the season
#1 Selling Barcelona legend Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid
Eyebrows were raised when Barcelona legend Luis Suarez was sold to domestic rivals Atletico Madrid last summer.
Suarez had made 283 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, scoring 198 goals, and his sale was not well received by Lionel Messi. The 34-year old has shown this season why Messi was reluctant to see him leave, especially to Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid are top of the La Liga table, two points ahead of Real Madrid with a game to go. Suarez has scored 20 league goals for Diego Simeone's men, including a crucial winner yesterday against Osasuna.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have officially bowed out of the league race and will now need to ensure that they finish 3rd in the league.
Also Read: Top 5 contenders for the La Liga Golden Boot
