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#3 Memphis Depay could vie with Ansu Fati for minutes
PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Lyon and now Barcelona - Memphis Depay has created quite a resume for himself. He has always been rated as a fine talent, but never managed to live up to his billing. Signed as a free agent for Barcelona, he has earned himself a fresh start, but here, too, he will have his fair share of challenges.
Depay, who prefers to play either as a centre-forward or on the left side of the pitch, might clash with Barcelona’s wonder kid, Ansu Fati, for playing time. Although still only 18, Fati has created quite the fanfare for himself at the Camp Nou, and Depay will not have an easy time stealing minutes off the Spaniard.
Barcelona, however, are only likely to benefit from this tussle — as very few teams can boast of having two players of this quality battling for a position.
#2 Barcelona’s defensive woes might persist
Last season, Barcelona somehow managed to beat the odds to bring the respected Copa del Rey to the Camp Nou. Yes, they did not secure either La Liga or the Champions League, but they still overachieved considering the state of the team, considering their wobbly backline.
Right-back Sergino Dest was signed from Ajax to bring some zing down the flanks. And while the youngster did manage to put in some impressive shifts, he could not help with the shaky heart of defense.
Barcelona have already signed Eric Garcia from Manchester City and are likely to pair him up with Gerard Pique in the middle of their defensive line. The pairing, despite being talented, does not seem to be better than the competition and is likely to cause some worry throughout the 2021-22 La Liga season.
Ronald Araujo is also fit and raring to go for Barcelona and it would be interesting to see if the coach counts on the young defender ahead of the club's stalwart, Gerard Pique.
#1 Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi could form a formidable partnership
Ask any Argentina supporter and they will write you essays about the friendship of Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi. The two have been inseparable both on and off the pitch since their debut, and, now, they are finally getting the opportunity to feature for the same club.
Sergio Aguero, who has etched his name in Premier League and Manchester City history, is in the twilight of his career. But that should not take anything away from the threat he still possesses. Powered by the telepathic connection he shares with Messi, he could score a boatload of goals, and we would not be surprised with a Pichichi run as well.
Aguero is also quite a generous teammate, which would work in Messi’s favor. Their little exchanges and synchronized runs could be one of the highlights of Barcelona’s season, and we cannot wait to see them line up side by side in Catalonian colors.
