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Barcelona's fall from grace in the past 12 months has been one of the biggest talking points in world football. The Catalan giants finished the 2019-20 campaign trophyless and capitulated in embarrassing fashion in the Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich.
Their 8-2 hammering in a single-legged tie went down as the worst defeat in the club's history, while Lionel Messi's initial decision to ask for a transfer compounded their misery. Barcelona are in complete disarray on and off the pitch and have a series of high-profile issues to sort out before the forthcoming season.
Quique Setien was sacked in the wake of their European exit, with former Barcelona defender Ronald Koeman taking over the reins from the Spaniard. The 57-year-old has his work cut out for him to awaken a sleeping giant of Barcelona's stature and is reportedly planning to fix gaping holes in the squad in the coming weeks.
A last dance for Lionel Messi at Barcelona?
Messi's dramatic U-turn proved to be a timely boost for the Blaugrana, as the Argentine released a statement and confirmed that he will remain at Barcelona for the time being. Having finally sorted out the future of his captain and talisman, Koeman is expected to dip into the transfer market to add more depth to the squad.
Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum are reportedly on the verge of moving to Barcelona this summer, while the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Trincao, Pedri and Matheus Fernandes have already joined the club and Philippe Coutinho has returned from his loan spell at Bayern Munich. The Catalan giants have also parted ways with Ivan Rakitic and Arthur Melo, who joined Juventus in a deal that saw Pjanic arrive at the Camp Nou.
Luis Suarez is also likely to leave the club this summer, as the striker prepares to bid farewell to the club after six years. Barcelona will look to put their problems behind them and start the season strongly, as they aim to reclaim their La Liga crown from Real Madrid.
Here's how the Catalan giants could lineup for the 2020-21 season, as they look to shape a new era under Koeman.
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is arguably Barcelona's most important player after Lionel Messi. The German international is one of the best goalkeepers in world football and has been an outstanding performer for the club since moving from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Barcelona struggled in the 2019-20 campaign, but Ter Stegen was one of the better performers for the Catalan giants. Aside from his shot-stopping prowess and his ability to command the backline, the 28-year-old is comfortable with the ball at his feet and is capable of starting plays out from the back.
Manuel Neuer is still Germany's #1 goalkeeper and rightly so, but Ter Stegen could give the Bayern Munich star a run for his money if he carries on performing like this in the coming years. Koeman has a handful of problems to address at Barcelona, but his goalkeeping department is sorted with a reliable presence like the German between the sticks.
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Defence
Right-back: Nelson Semedo
Nelson Semedo was amongst a handful of players who improved his game under Quique Setien. The Portuguese defender is set to start at right-back and has proved that he is a reliable member of a Barcelona backline that was uncharacteristically sloppy last season.
The former Benfica man leaves a lot to be desired in the final third, but his defensive abilities make him the obvious choice over La Masia graduate Sergi Roberto. Earlier this summer, Semedo was linked with moves to Juventus and Manchester City, but those rumours have died down in recent weeks.
The 26-year-old is at the right age to establish himself as a key player in Barcelona's new project and is set to be a key player for Koeman.
Centre-back: Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique is a modern-day Barcelona legend and is sure to carry on with the club for another season at least. The Spaniard, who retired from international football after the 2018 World Cup to prolong his club career, pulled no punches with his assessment of Barcelona's disastrous 2019-20 season.
After the club's embarrassing defeat against Bayern Munich, Pique admitted that the Catalans need fresh ideas and even offered to walk away from the club to make way for younger players. However, the fact of the matter is that the former Manchester United man is still the club's defender, while his leadership qualities are of paramount importance for a squad that lacks personality and fight.
The 33-year-old is expected to lead the Barcelona rearguard once again and still has a few years left in him before hanging up his boots.
Centre-back: Clement Lenglet
Clement Lenglet enjoyed a successful 2019-20 season on a personal level, as he established himself as Pique's partner at the heart of the defence. The Frenchman produced a string of reliable displays and pipped Samuel Umtiti to the spot, with the latter struggling with injuries and poor form in recent seasons.
The former Sevilla man is confident on the ball and complements Pique perfectly, while he has also proved his fitness over a prolonged period. Lenglet is also a regular for the French national team these days, where he has once again moved ahead of Umtiti in the pecking order.
The 25-year-old is expected to be chosen as Pique's partner for the forthcoming season, while Barcelona are also believed to be in the running for Manchester City's Eric Garcia to add more depth to their backline.
Left-back: Jordi Alba
Jordi Alba's performances have dipped in recent seasons, but the Spaniard is still an excellent performer on his day and is expected to keep his spot at left-back for the time being. Known for his electric pace, linkup play and crossing ability, the diminutive defender has combined well with Lionel Messi from the left side over the years.
However, in the past 12 months, Alba's defensive frailties have been exposed several times and he seems to be approaching the twilight years of his Barcelona career. Due to a lack of competition in his position — with Junior Firpo not really setting the world on fire in his short Barcelona career so far — the former Valencia man is set to start the season for Barcelona.
The club have been linked with Valencia's Jose Gaya, but Koeman could have other areas of concern to address this summer.
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Midfield
Central midfield: Miralem Pjanic
Miralem Pjanic joined Barcelona this summer in a deal that saw Brazilian midfielder Arthur travel in the opposite direction to Juventus. The Bosnian is one of the most experienced players in his position and has enjoyed a fantastic career with Lyon, Roma and Juventus over the years.
At Barcelona, Pjanic is expected to anchor the midfield and start as a deep-lying playmaker, with Sergio Busquets making way for him in the starting XI. The Spaniard is clearly feeling the effects of being in the wrong side of his 30s and is no longer an indispensable member of the team, due to which Pjanic be the man to play in his position.
The 29-year-old is a seasoned veteran and should produce the goods for Barcelona in the short-term, as he looks set to adapt quickly to life at the Camp Nou.
Central midfield: Frenkie de Jong
Frenkie de Jong is one of the most exciting midfielders in world football and looks set to be the biggest beneficiary of Ronald Koeman's appointment. Having flourished in a deeper role under the manager for the Netherlands, De Jong is set to be deployed in a double-pivot alongside Pjanic, a position that happens to suit his skill set perfectly.
Hailed as an excellent passer, the young Dutchman is also an elegant dribbler of the ball and is capable of setting the tempo of the game from the centre of the park. Koeman has spoken about how De Jong would be better suited to playing a deeper role and could be set to use him in his preferred position.
Barcelona have the likes of Carles Alena and Riqui Puig in the squad, but Koeman is expected to choose his compatriot to play alongside Pjanic in central midfield.
Attacking midfield: Gini Wijnaldum
Gini Wijnaldum is reportedly a top target for Ronald Koeman, with the Liverpool midfielder believed to be close to signing for Barcelona. His inclusion over the likes of Riqui Puig, Carles Alena, Sergi Roberto and Philippe Coutinho is a tricky one, but Wijnaldum has shown what he can do in an advanced midfield role under Koeman.
Starting as a furthest midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, the 29-year-old delivered a series of eye-catching displays for Holland, as he scored goals aplenty and impressed with his energy and work-rate. Wijnaldum could be set to play a similar role for Barcelona, with Koeman desperate to land him this summer.
The Liverpool midfielder has less than a year left on his current deal and is edging closer to swapping Merseyside for Catalonia in the coming weeks.
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Attack
Right-wing: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi's dramatic U-turn came as a huge sigh of relief for Barcelona, as the Argentine announced earlier this week that he will not leave the club this summer after initially asking for a transfer. The Argentine is still the best player in the world and Barcelona's talisman, as he looks to spearhead them to more success.
In what could potentially be his last season with the Catalan giants, Messi will look to bounce back after what has been an eventful summer, having been linked with a move to Manchester City in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old was in stunning form in the 2019-20 season and topped the league for goals and assists. However, he was unable to prevent Barcelona from surrendering the La Liga title to Real Madrid, as the Catalan giants finished trophyless for the first time since the days of Tata Martino.
Messi will look to weave his magic once again, with Koeman expected to build his team around the Argentine talisman.
Striker: Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann has so far been wasted out wide at Barcelona, as he struggled to make an impact in his first season at the club. The Frenchman is one of the best players in the world on his day and needs to play in his natural position to show his true colours.
With Luis Suarez expected to leave the club this summer, Griezmann could finally be deployed as the focal point of the attack, with Messi playing from the right side. The former Atletico Madrid man flourished as the leading man with Los Rojiblancos and could have a similar effect with Barcelona if he is given the chance.
Reports have emerged that Koeman is keen on playing Griezmann upfront and it remains to be seen if that really is the case. Barcelona have also been linked with a big-money move for Lautaro Martinez, but the Inter Milan striker looks unlikely to join the club as things stand.
Left-wing: Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay is being linked with a stunning switch to Barcelona, with reports suggesting that the Lyon forward is close to agreeing a deal with the club. Having worked with Koeman in the past, the mercurial attacker could add a different dimension to Barcelona's front-three.
Primarily a winger, Memphis is also capable of playing as a #9 and is incredibly gifted technically. Blessed with outstanding ball control and shooting ability, the Dutchman's playmaking ability is something that doesn't get talked about enough due to the fact that he is a winger.
Memphis has matured tremendously in the past 12 months and looks set to leave Lyon this summer for greener pastures. With the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho also amongst the squad, Barcelona are quality and depth for the wide positions.
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