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Defenders
Right Back: Sergi Roberto
Barcelona has been playing with a converted fullback, Sergi Roberto. This probably cost him his place in Spain's World Cup squad but his Barcelona career has been great in that context. He has started the important games ahead of the 27 million Euro signing, Nelson Semedo and has been the first choice right back for Valverde as he was for Luis Enrique.
Nelson Semedo has been impressive in the outings that he had but he has not been able to push Roberto out of his spot and given that Sergi Roberto is just 26 years old, it will be a long ask for the 24-year-old to dethrone the Spaniard from his starting place.
Centre Backs: Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti
Just like their eternal rivals, Real Madrid, Barcelona have two World Champions in their defensive ranks. Gerard Pique, 2010 World Cup winner, and Samuel Umtiti, 2018 World Cup winner. Both the centre-backs were the bedrock on which the defensive fortress was built in their outstanding league campaign. The duo was so good that the new signing, Yerry Mina, is being linked to a move away from the club after less than a year.
Another reason behind these transfer talks surrounding the Colombian is the signing of Clement Lenglet from Sevilla, for 32 million Euros. The Frenchman impressed several big names in Europe and was a target for a host of big clubs. Barcelona's capture of the former-Sevilla man means that there is even less space for Thomas Vermaelen.
Despite the new arrival and the young Yerry Mina in the squad, Valverde is likely to go with his trusted duo, Pique and Umtiti.
Left Back: Jordi Alba
Jordi Alba's life was completely contrasting in the last two seasons. He was left on the bench and was being linked with a move away after Luis Enrique changed his formation to 3-4-3 during the later stages of the season. After Enrique and Neymar left the club, Alba starting proving his worth to the club hierarchy and has his spot cemented in the starting XI. His connection with Leo Messi showed his attacking prowess and was instrumental in many goals that Barca scored and didn't let the opposition score.
Lucas Digne was signed from PSG as a backup and has seen himself sit on the bench for the most part of the season. given how good Alba has been and that he is 29 years old, he will the first choice left back in Valverde's starting XI.
