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There has been a drastic change in the hierarchy of the Barcelona squad following their complete restructuring in the summer of 2021. The departure of some big names has seen certain players take center stage.
The likes of Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati have basically received a substantial promotion, going from smaller cogs in a bigger system to being the biggest stars in Barcelona. Despite the club's woeful state at present, the new batch of youngsters have the potential to lead the Blaugrana back to their glory days.
Barcelona's top assist providers of all time
Camp Nou has harbored a bucket load of quality creators over the course of history, with the likes of Ronaldinho, Patrick Kluivert and Luis Figo plying their trade in Catalonia. Despite the abundance of royal names in the club's history, Lionel Messi yet again comes out on top, leading the assists charts with a gargantuan tally of 301 layoffs.
No other Barcelona player has even come close to touching La Pulga's unfathomable contribution, with club legend Xavi's 185 assists earning him second place on the list. Andres Iniesta (138), Luis Suarez (113), and Dani Alves (101) round off a star-studded top five in Barcelona's assists charts.
With both Suarez and Messi departing the club in the space of a year, none of the aforementioned players are currently associated with Barcelona. As a result, fresh names have emerged to occupy the top spots in the current Blaugrana squad. On that note, let's take a look at five active Barcelona players with the most assists for the club:
(NOTE: All stats are as listed on transfermarkt)
#5 Frenkie de Jong and Philippe Coutinho - 14 assists
Tying for the starting spot, both Frenkie de Jong and Philippe Coutinho have laid out 14 assists for their Barcelona teammates so far. This tally propels them to fifth place for most assist providers on the current Blaugrana squad.
The two players have had sharply contrasting careers at Camp Nou so far. While De Jong has quickly established himself as a guaranteed starter at the club, Coutinho hasn't been this fortunate. A loan spell at Bayern Munich did little to revive his career in Catalonia and the Brazilian dribbler remains on the fringes of the starting lineup.
De Jong, on the other hand, has been sensational since his arrival. In 103 appearances, the Dutch prodigy has successfully exuded his exceptional close control, with his commendable work-rate making him essential to Barcelona. Despite his past failures, Coutinho has shown glimpses of brilliance this campaign and will be hoping to catch up to his Dutch team-mate.
#4 Ousmane Dembele - 21 assists
Arguably the most injury-prone player in the world right now, Ousmane Dembele makes his way into fourth place on the list. The French youngster joined Barcelona in 2017 on the back of a brilliant debut season with Borussia Dortmund, for an exorbitant amount of €135 million.
However, Dembele hasn't been able to justify the hefty price tag so far. Brimming with potential at the time of his transfer, the pacy wideman has lost a lot to injuries. At the time of writing, he is sidelined with the 12th major ailment of his Barcelona career.
Despite his inconsistent fitness record, Dembele had a relatively decent 2020-21 season, taking his overall assist tally to 21 last campaign. The 24-year-old talent is currently stalling on a contract extension, with his current deal set to expire next year.
Also read: 5 players Barcelona should have never sold
#3 Sergi Roberto - 37 assists
In recent times, Sergi Roberto has become an unpopular figure at Barcelona, with fans consistently demanding his expulsion. While the Catalan player has endured a patchy run of form lately, nothing can take away the impressive career he has had at Barcelona.
One of the longest-serving players at Camp Nou, Roberto is one of four captains at the club. The utility man was once highly praised for his versatility, allowing him to ply his trade in the center of the park as well as on the right flank of the defence.
Subsequently, Roberto has managed to amass 37 assists in 314 appearances with the club, playing in various positions. Despite his numerous contributions, the Spaniard has earned an unfavorable reputation among Culers lately. The lack of urgency in his current style of play is constantly tarnishing the legacy Roberto has worked so hard to forge.
#2 Sergio Busquets - 41 assists
The current captain of the Blaugrana, Sergio Busquets, is also the second-best assist provider among his team-mates. While the defensive midfielder is rarely applauded for his creative skills, his tally of 41 assists in 640 appearances ranks him 16th in the all-time assists chart for Barcelona.
Generally regarded as one of the most talented midfielders at the base of the pitch, Busquets has enjoyed unimaginable levels of success with Barcelona. The Spanish maestro was introduced to the world by Pep Guardiola in 2008, after which he quickly established his place in the first team.
'The Octopus of Badia', as he is fondly addressed, has been at the center of Barcelona's triumphs in the early 2010s and remains a consistent figure in their turbulent times. Aged 33, Busquets has suffered a slight dip in form but is expected to continue at the club given his unparalleled pedigree.
#1 Jordi Alba - 83 assists
Following Lionel Messi's untimely departure, Jordi Alba officially replaced him as the highest assist maker, still contracted to Barcelona. Alba, who recently entered his 10th season at his boyhood club, has racked up 83 assists in Catalonia so far.
If recent reports are to be believed, the Catalan giants are looking to find a replacement for Alba, who has experienced a substantial decline in form in recent years. Nevertheless, he remains one of the most important figures at Barcelona due to his consistent output.
A masterful defender, the Spanish left-back is equally adept going forward, with his soaring pace assisting him in attacking instances. Alba is widely popular for bombarding the opposition's box with quality crosses. As a result, he has managed to accumulate an impressive number of assists, ranking him above everyone else in the current Barcelona squad in this department.
Also read: 4 players who should never play for Barcelona again
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