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Coming off a rocky final season under Luis Enrique earlier this year, Barcelona have started the new season on a high. Everything seems fine for Ernesto Valverde's men, who are on quite a run after suffering a shock defeat in August in the Spanish Super Cup at the hands of their arch-rivals, Real Madrid.
The talented manager has taken the team to new heights and they stand strong as favourites to regain the Spanish league and might also go on to lift the UEFA Champions League. Still unbeaten in all competitions following that early setback in the Super Cup, Barcelona sits atop the La Liga standings and await Chelsea for a thrilling UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash in February.
The fans too are jubilant witnessing Barcelona's revival of form. Cules are proud of Valverde for restoring sparks of their glorious Tiki-Taka system. Efficient switching between 4-4-2 and the traditional 4-4-3 formations have made Barcelona strong at the back as well as dominating in attack.
However, things haven't been perfect for every player in the team. Some players in the Barcelona camp may be unfortunate enough to see out a move in the upcoming Winter Transfer Window. Let's have a look at few of the names that might be drawn out of the Spanish club's squad:
#5 Gerard Deulofeu
The 23-year-old forward returned to his childhood club last summer following brief spells with teams like Everton, Sevilla and Milan. The Spaniard started the season on a high and certainly earned Valverde's confidence on the outset. Dembele's big-money arrival was meant to spoil Deulofeu's development at the Nou Camp, but an injury to the former paved the way for the right winger. Unfortunately, he failed to step up to the opportunity and was massively criticized by the fans for his poor judgement on and off the ball.
Following poor performances by Deulofeu that include a below average display against Real Murcia in the Copa del Rey, it seems like Valverde has drawn up his plans regarding the winger's future at the Catalan club.
Deulofeu was left out of the squad in recent league matches against Villarreal and Valencia. His inconsistency and poor decision making on the right flank have put his future at Barcelona in danger. He has been one Barcelona player who was touted to be the next best thing for them has delivered very little in practicality. However, there is no still no doubt with respect to the heart and effort that he invests for his boyhood club.
The youngster has been highly linked with moves and loan deals away from the Nou Camp including interests from Serie A contenders Napoli and Milan, where he has already spent a season on loan. Future developments regarding Deulofeu and FC Barcelona would be interesting considering Barcelona's ever-growing interests to sign world-class players.
#4 Javier Mascherano
El Jefecito (The Little Chief) has devoted the prime of his career towards FC Barcelona as a silent leader. Now 33, Mascherano is certain to move away from the Catalans as he reaches the end of his star-studded career. Mascherano has made his future ambitions clear in the media and Argentine Central Defender might very well be on his way out of the Nou Camp.
Reports also suggest that he has already informed his teammates of his decision. Mascherano's age and fitness are troubling for the Catalans and Valverde has retained the tested defensive duo of Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique at the back.
Barcelona director Guillermo Amor revealed that Masche's future would be clear in a few days after the Argentine and Valverde sit down to discuss their future plans. The 33-year-old has lately been troubled with injuries and Umtiti's rapid rise among the ranks has seen the veteran defender's playtime at the Camp Nou restricted as a substitute.
In this season, Mascherano has featured for Barcelona just ten times in all competitions and the Argentine now seeks a more serious role elsewhere. A return to Argentina or a move to China is on the cards for Mascherano, who desires a 'mentor' type of role in the late stages of his career, as other veterans in the past have favoured doing, including Barcelona midfielder Xavi.
Palmeiras' defender, Yerry Mina, and Real Sociedad player, Inigo Martinez, are among the options Barcelona is reported to be considering to replace Mascherano's. One of the two youngsters could be fortunate enough to be a part of Barcelona's long-term project.
#3 Jasper Cillessen
The Dutch shot-stopper certainly deserves to be much more than a substitute for one of the world's top club. Jasper Cillessen hasn't failed to impress Barcelona fans in the matches that he has played for the Blaugrana.
An established, world-class goalkeeper, Cillessen has never failed to showcase his pride in wearing the Barcelona shirt to defend the goal. He also spoke to the media about his ambitions to break into Barcelona's first team over their first choice goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Cillessen states that he is happy with his life in Barcelona but the also made his intentions clear regarding a move out of the club in the January transfer window if he isn't able to make a considerable mark on the Catalan team by then. Cillessen has only fielded for Barcelona in the Spanish Cup and final matches of the Champions League group stage, which is less than what he truly deserves.
"I have not thought about listening to offers, I'm fine here. If I play very little, we will see in the winter transfer window, but for the moment I am not thinking about anything. I'm not happy if I don't play. When I arrived in Barcelona I knew that I would have to adapt myself to many new things." - Jasper Cillessen
Even Barcelona fans appreciate Cillessen's class and are concerned over his game-time, or lack thereof. Aged 28, Cillessen is now at the peak of his career, and interests from some of the top European clubs might attract the keeper towards them.
#2 Arda Turan
Arsenal, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor have all been linked with Arda Turan heavily since last January. The Turk's career at Barcelona has been, well, rather awkward. Turan is known to be a huge Barcelona fan and it was his childhood dream to play for the Catalans. The former Atletico Man has performed when called up by former managers, most notably scoring 11 goals for Barcelona last season when Brazilian left-winger, Neymar, was injured.
Valverde, however, hasn't found a permanent place for the injury-prone Turan in his team. In facr, he is yet to play under the new manager and hasn't even been the included in the squad since the boss' arrival at the Nou Camp, primarily due to a prolonged bone injury.
The Turk has claimed that he is very happy at the club and has no plans to leave the Catalan capital but media has reported that he has had contacts with several clubs currently. Age and injury-related problems spoil Turan's dream of leaving a mark on his dream club under the new manager and might be forced to find a way out. Turan's passion for the club could never be doubted but he isn't receiving support from the fans of the club, primarily due to a lack of proper position to field the dynamic playmaker.
Philippe Coutinho's arrival could further spoil things for Turan as Barca might find the perfect attacking midfielder in the Brazilian.
#1 Denis Suarez
A dynamic and talented midfielder, Denis Suarez, could be another midfielder to die out in the ranks of the Catalans and never make it to big stage, falling prey to the razzmatazz at the Nou Camp. The former Villarreal and Manchester City man has never failed to impress the fans whenever he is called upon by the manager. Young, fast, agile and confident on the ball, Suarez has all the traits a club like Barcelona seek in their midfielders and could make a world-conquering midfield duo with Sergi Roberto, another homegrown talent.
Suarez has spoken about his faith in the club but was also vocal in his regrets regarding the club's interest in Coutinho and a lack of faith in the talents of their own players.
“I had no doubts about staying… I know I have the manager’s faith and I believe in my chances. If I take advantage of my opportunities, my objective is to be an important player here and I won’t stop fighting for that.” - Denis Suarez
Barcelona fans see in Suarez a potential world-class footballer but Valverde might not have used the Spaniard to his full potential, which makes the fans wonder about Suarez's future at the club. His consistent performance should've earned him a spot in the first team on rotation basis at least but Suarez mostly used as a substitute or often left unused on the bench.
His development has been significantly thwarted under the new manager and the midfielder could move away from the Catalans in the near future to enhance the same. Manchester City is one of the likely destinations for him as Pep Guardiola aims at developing another world-conquering team revolving around young talents. Napoli is also interested in the youngster.
Suarez's faith in Barcelone, coupled with lack of opportunities in return, shape up a complicated conundrum for the Spaniard.
