5 Champions League contenders and their centre-backs issues

#4 FC Barcelona

De Ligt is Barca's main centre-back target

After the horror show of the last two seasons in the UCL, there is a clear need for the Catalan giants to make certain tactical and if possible, personnel changes.

The collapses in Rome and Liverpool following commanding first-leg leads has led to suggestions of a mentality issue amongst the team’s backline.

Gerard Pique as the veteran/leader of the backline has had his fierce share of the criticism. His partners: Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet have also not covered themselves in glory.

The UCL has become something of a Holy Grail for Barca especially when viewed against the backdrop of Real Madrid’s three-peat achievements. Therefore, getting someone in to help in the centre of defensive seems to be a high priority for the manager, Ernesto Valverde.

The pursuit of Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt has dragged more than expected with the club looking likely to miss out on the talented youngster. If this happens, the club may decide to go with what it already has; Pique, Lenglet, Umtiti and young Frenchman Jean-Clair Todibo (injury-prone Thomas Vermaelen has nothing to add).