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After Neymar's departure last summer, Messi came out as a true leader and carried that front-line all by himself. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, the player is in breathless form this season and appears to be aging like vintage wine.
Valverde has accommodated the forward in the typical #10 role where he has the absolute license to roam anywhere on the pitch. The Argentine has made 46 club appearances this season where he has bagged 39 goals and provided 16 assists, so far.
The problem however for the club is that they are finding it difficult to survive without their talisman. The Argentine on multiple occasions had to come off the bench to save the blushes of his team.
Valverde desperately needs to find a plan to rest Messi more often. That said, here are the players who can reduce the star's work-load at the club.
#5 Paulo Dybala
With the talks of Ousmane Dembele leaving the club already floating around, Barca could be looking forward to buy a star-man so as to balance the fire-power in their line-up.
The Argentine is one of the most promising talents in the world presently and would potentially be raging a bidding war among Europe's elites for his signatures.
Also read- Barcelona: 5 players the club can sign this summer
He would be the most suitable player for Valverde's formation, where he and Messi can share the number #10 position and the right-wing between themselves.
Barcelona has been looking at the player as Messi's long-term heir at Camp Nou. Dybala has an equally lethal left foot as his idol- Lionel Messi which would ensure a no drop in quality on the pitch, even if Messi is rested.
However, Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta has refused to put a price on their star man but reports suggest that Dybala is not happy playing in Italy.
#4 Philippe Coutinho
Having shelled out more than £140 million for the player, Barca finally appear to be getting the player they thought they had signed.
The Brazilian has steadily adapted to Spanish football but still has a lot to prove at the club. A major reason behind the team's over-reliance on Messi is his inconsistency.
The former Liverpool man is definitely a world-class player who can tear defences apart on his day with some effort. The onus is now on him to step-up and complete the job he was bought for.
His versatility to play anywhere in the midfield can be used to the team's merit and rotate the key players more often.
If he manages to repeat even 70 percent of his performances from his time in England, he would be a supreme asset at the Camp Nou.
#3 Harry Kane
The England international is easily the hottest property in Europe at the moment. His consistency over the years reflects in his tremendous goal scoring record.
Luis Suarez's form has been a concern for Valverde. The player has gone misfiring for a greater part of this season. His goals have been coming at premium and increasing the pressure on Messi consequently.
The Uruguayan International is past his prime and needs to be replaced with an aspiring name soon.
In such an event, Kane is an option Barca can look at. The Englishman would definitely be on the radar of some elite clubs this summer.
Daniel Levy would be highly reluctant to sell Kane who is currently having a joyous spell in London. Although anything close to £300 million can convince Spurs into selling the player.
#2 Christen Eriksen
Christian Eriksen has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League for the last few seasons.
The Danish International, has been a key to the Spurs attack and creativity from the midfield. The 26-year-old has netted 14 goals and provided for another 10 in all competitions so far this season.
His ability to drop deep to fetch the ball and provide dangerous balls into the box makes him the player to watch out for. The Catalan club is understood to be favorites to sign the player this summer.
He can be played on the right of the flanks where Paulinho or Dembele have started majorly. Barcelona would be greatly benefit with his style of play.
Capable of being deployed anywhere in the attacking midfield, he is the player Barca must pursue to solve their creativity problems.
All the stats via transfermarkt
#1 Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann is a player whose future has been unresolved in the Spanish capital for quite some time now.
The forward has been in impressive form this season and vastly been linked to Barcelona lately. He has netted 25 goals and provided 13 assists this season so far.
However the concern primarily being his role in Barcelona's already star-studded team. An attempt is all that can be made to resolve the problem for now.
The Frenchman in no way is a number #9, nor is he a number #10 like Messi. The best suited position for him is the second striker.
If Barcelona sign him, he could either be a direct replacement to Ousmane Dembele in the first eleven or a backup to Lionel Messi. To be fair, he can provide the much needed spark to the team even in the Argentine's absence.
This is a headache Ernesto Valverde should be keen to take in the best of his interests.
