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Defenders
Left-back - Jordi Alba
While Barcelona might have recently completed the purchase of the highly rated Junior Firpo from Real Betis, Valverde is likely to stick with Jordi Alba as his preferred first choice left-back next season.
With exactly 300 appearances in all competitions for the Blaugrana, Alba is one of the more experienced members of the squad, and Valverde would be counting on him to bring his experience to the fore next season.
Alba has bore the brunt of criticisms over the years due to his defensive shortcomings, but what he lacks in defensive prowess, he more than makes up for with his attacking contributions, while his almost telepathic on-field connection with Messi is priceless.
The arrival of Firpo would help ease the workload on the 30-year-old, leaving him fresh for Barcelona's assault in the home run of next season.
Left Centre-back - Clement Lenglet
Clement Lenglet was initially signed from Sevilla last season to act as an understudy to Samuel Umtiti, but an unfortunate long-term injury to his compatriot saw him handed his chance and despite initially struggling, he ended up impressing Valverde so much so that Umtiti was unable to reclaim his starting spot when he returned to full fitness.
He ended last season with 45 appearances in all competitions and won praise for his almost effortless complementing of Gerard Pique at the heart of defense, and fans of the Blaugrana would be hoping for more of the same this term.
Right Centre-back - Gerard Pique
A long-term servant of the club, Gerard Pique was blooded in the famed La Masia academy and ever since he made his return to the club from Manchester United in 2008, the 31-year-old has played his way into the annals of Barcelona's history as one of the greatest players to ever don the famous colors of the Blaugrana.
Pique has been a mainstay at the hart of defense for Barcelona throughout the club's most glorious period, and has partnered multiple men at the back from the legendary Carles Puyol to the now forgotten Marc Bartra, and he has held his own with distinction for over a decade.
Right-back - Sergi Roberto
This is a very tricky position as Barcelona have a specialist right-back in Nelson Semedo within their ranks.
The Portuguese international is one of the best in his position, but has found it hard to displace Sergi Roberto from the starting XI over the last two years, and the fact that the club were willing to use him as a makeshift to bring Griezmann or Neymar to the Nou Camp shows that he is not highly valued at the club..
Though primarily a midfielder, Roberto was converted into an auxiliary right-back and he has discharged his duties in his makeshift position with aplomb.
He has stated his desire to be deployed in his more natural position and Valverde has admitted to giving this some thought, but seeing the current Barcelona midfield overflowing with an abundance of talent, it is highly likely that the Spanish international would play as a right-back next season.
