5 things we learnt from Barcelona’s pre-season tour

Barcelona concluded their pre-season tour of the United States with a 3-2 win over Real Madrid in only the 2nd ever El Clasico to be held outside of Spain. The Camp Nou outfit return to Catalunya with a cent percent record in pre-season courtesy of victories over Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

While not a lot should be made of their pre-season success, it does give us an idea of how the team is shaping up under new manager Ernesto Valverde – who took over the reins from Luis Enrique at the start of the season.

So without further ado, we take a look at the 5 things we learnt from Barcelona’s pre-season tour:

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#5 Barcelona need to sort out their midfield

One of the biggest reasons behind Barcelona’s failure last season was their midfield, or the lack thereof. The Catalan outfit were overrun in midfield by almost all good teams as was evident in the 4-0 mauling by Paris Saint-Germain and the 3-0 drubbing by Juventus.

The lack of an established right-back in the squad hurt Luis Enrique’s side just as much but they have addressed the issue with the arrival of Nelson Semedo.

Sergio Busquets is no longer the defensive shield that he was during the club’s tiki-taka days and the club should consider using him in a deep-lying playmaker role rather than one of defensive midfielder. Andres Iniesta at 33 is not getting any younger, while Ivan Rakitic’s lack of form in the first part of last season is a huge cause of concern – should it be the case again this season.

Last season’s midfield reinforcements in Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez have failed to live up to the expectation, while it remains to be seen how Sergi Roberto fares in the centre, having spent the last season deputizing at right-back.

Barcelona have the quantity but lack the quality to dominate midfield in the big games and the club have identified it, going by their relentless pursuit of Marco Verratti. However, they need a defensive anchorman, a destroyer and should consider other cheaper alternatives if they are unable to land the Italian. Jean Michel Seri is a very good shout for that.

#4 They need cover in central defence

Considering Mascherano’s age and his struggles against fast pacy forwards, the Argentine would most likely be cover for the two first-choice defenders

Barcelona currently have 4 central defenders in their squad to choose from, namely Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Javier Mascherano and new signing Marlon Santos, with Thomas Vermaelen expected to leave the club in the ongoing transfer window, having spent 3 unsuccessful seasons at the club.

Considering Mascherano’s age and his struggles against fast pacy forwards, the Argentine would most likely be cover for the two first-choice defenders in Pique and Umtiti. Pique has also struggled with his health lately, and to put the entire season in perspective the Blaugrana do need one more addition in their defence.

New signing Marlon Santos is a useful addition to the team but given his young age and with that his relative inexperience, it would be wise for the team to consider adding one more central defender to the squad.

#3 The need for a good backup striker still haunts them

Alcacer was signed from Valencia for €30m to provide cover for MSN

Barcelona’s signings of the 2016 summer transfer window have failed to live up to the expectations more or less. Paco Alcacer, Andre Gomes, Jasper Cillessen, Lucas Digne and Denis Suarez have all had a poor first season, with Samuel Umtiti the only exception.

Alcacer was signed from Valencia for €30m to provide cover for MSN and to step up to the occasion in the absence of one of the three. While he did provide cover as and when required, he failed to share the goalscoring burden with the illustrious front three of the Camp Nou outfit, scoring only 8 times in 28 games.

While one season is not enough to judge the calibre of a player, at clubs like Barcelona, sadly, it is the time that is usually afforded to a player. The re-signing of Gerard Deulofeu from Everton is another step taken to reinforce the attack but the need for a good backup striker still haunts the club – one who can force Luis Suarez to up his game.

#2 Selling Neymar may not be the worst idea

Neymar’s sale will allow Barcelona to invest heavily in the squad

How can anything at this point of time not be related to Neymar. The Brazilian has caused a furore ever since he has been linked with a sensational world record move to Paris Saint-Germain and while it is in the best interest in the club to keep the 25-year-old – who is arguably one of the 5 best players in the world – it may not be the worst idea to sell him.

Before you jump the gun and hurl abuses at me for saying something as ridiculous as that, hear me out.

While Neymar does provide an attacking outlet like few others, and is one of the most skilful players and accomplished dribblers, allowing freedom to both Messi and Neymar did hurt Barcelona a lot.

The duo have been given the license to do what they want, and why not, they are two of the best in the world. But in doing so, the Catalan outfit have essentially sacrificed the balance of the team, as no team in today’s world is able to thrive with two players given absolute freedom with no defensive responsibility whatsoever. Even Real Madrid do not do that, with the free role reserved only for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar’s sale will allow Barcelona to invest heavily in the squad, and with the right additions, despite the huge void left by the Brazilian, they can become a better team, a better unit and can go on to win more trophies. And essentially, isn’t that what football is about?

#1 Messidependencia

Whenever the team is in a spot, they look towards Messi – and rightly so

While the 2013/14 season is oft referred to as ‘Messidependencia’, it is almost alarming to see that even today with the plethora of options that Barcelona have in their ranks, they are ever so reliant on the genius of the diminutive Argentine.

I would forgive anyone for being dependent on Messi – arguably one of the greatest exponents of the game – but with a team that has lacked identity in recent times, and one not on the same level as their predecessors, the over reliance on Messi has come to haunt the Camp Nou outfit – a prime example of this was the second leg against Juventus in the quarter-final of the Champions League, when the 30-year-old didn’t have the best of games and was missing his shooting boots.

While depending on arguably the best player in the world is not all that bad, it is the overdependence and the lack of a plan B that has been catastrophic for Barcelona. Whenever the team is in a spot, they look towards Messi – and rightly so – hoping he will spew magic with that left-foot of his but it cannot happen always, after all, he is also a mere mortal.