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

#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.