5 players that could play key roles in Barcelona's treble push in the 2018/2019 season

After an exhilarating transfer campaign following last season’s domestic double, big things are expected from the Blaugrana this season.

It has been a curious couple of years for the Catalan giants as domestic dominance (4 La Liga titles in the last six seasons) has not been matched by success on the European stage. In the same time span, the team has only won one UEFA Champions League title, in 2015. This is despite it being a period that saw Barca play with the famed MSN attacking trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar.

It has been the exact opposite for El Clasico rivals Real Madrid which has struggled in La Liga but has proven to be Europe’s true aristocrats winning 4 UCL titles in the last 5 seasons.

Returning to the pinnacle of European football will be the huge task that manager Ernesto Valverde needs to fulfill next season. Barcelona fans have seen their team win two trebles in the space of a decade (2009 & 2015) and will want a trifecta in the 2018/2019 season.

The outlay of €129.5 million on new talent so far (Arturo Vidal, Clement Lenglet, Arthur Melo and Malcolm) and the gradual sale of non-contributing players have given rise to optimism among Cules that the amazing treble-winning feat can be repeated.

With the club's business in this transfer window almost done in terms of incomings, what the team would look like (and play like) are the next questions.

Here is a look at 5 players that could be key to Barca's push for titles in the 2018/2019 season:

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#5 Samuel Umtiti

Umtiti will be indispensable for Barca in the new season

Fresh from winning the World Cup with France and signing a lucrative contract extension, the centre-back will be looking forward to the new season.

One of the few successful transfer businesses done during the Luis Enrique era, Umtiti has become an indispensable part of the furniture at the Camp Nou.

His intelligence, strength, and power has added steel to Barca's back line and made the team less susceptible to fast paced counter attacks or dead-ball situations. Pacy, strong with an immaculate sense of timing for making tackles, Umtiti’s game intelligence and technique has been further enhanced by the patient coaching of Valverde.

Like he has with Raphael Varane for Les Bleus, Umtiti’s partnership with Gerard Pique represents the best of both worlds. His strength and rugged nature have made him a perfect complement for the ball playing Spaniard.

With him in the side, his defensive partners who are better at playing the ball out (Pique and new signing Clement Lenglet) are able to offer an extra attacking body if need be given the assurance Umtiti’s presences gives.

#4 Jordi Alba

Alba's galloping runs down the left will be key

Following the disaster that was the 2016/2017 season, Alba came back with a bang last season. He will be looking to continue that again in the 2018/2019 season.

The most senior fullback at the club and one of its on-pitch leaders, the left-back is expected to play even more this season. This is due to the sale of Lucas Digne to Everton.

Last season, the La Masia product went back to the good old days as his marauding runs down the left flank provided Barca with a very important outlet for attacking. This was as a result of the overtly defensive setup employed by Valverde and the lack of dynamism from midfield.

With the expected improvement of Dembele as well as the addition of Malcolm and the dynamism that Vidal would bring in the midfield, Alba's surging runs are going to be of vital importance for the Blaugrana.

It is expected that he would combine with whoever starts on the left hand side of the team's attack (expected to be one of Dembele or Malcolm) to overload that flank and draw out the opposing defenders to create space in the middle and on the right flank.

Youngster Marc Cucurella is expected to be drafted into the team as the 2nd choice left-back and Alba's guidance and mentoring will be of great importance for the youngster.

#3 Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho will be the man tasked with replacing Iniesta

After his move from Liverpool in January, big things are expected of the diminutive Brazilian in the new season.

For the first time in almost 20 seasons, Barca will be playing a season without the calming/majestic presence of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The two men who have come to symbolize a seismic shift in footballing culture worldwide have said their final goodbyes to the Camp Nou faithful.

Replacing a legend like Iniesta is no easy feat and Barcelonistas will hopeful that Coutinho does not buckle under the weight of expectations.

Depending on the formation Valverde selects, the Brazilian international may play as an inverted winger in a 3-man attack where his dribbling, shot taking and intelligence can help to break deep defensive blocks. He may also feature in the Iniesta role; the twinkle-toed creator who carries the ball forward and organized attacks with his passing and clever movement.

Valverde and the team would lean heavily on Coutinho so as to relieve some of the creative burden off Messi. His fitness and performances may go a long way in determining how far the Blaugrana go in the new season.

#2 Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Its impossible to overstate just how crucial Ter Stegen will be for Barca

Jasper Cillessen is a very good goalkeeper and would make a very good number one for any team in the world. However, Cules will be praying hard that nothing happens to their blonde German goalie.

The reason is quite simple, Atletico’s Jan Oblak can realistically be said to be the one goalkeeper who had a better 2017/2018 than Ter Stegen.

The German has always been regarded as a top goalie but under Valverde, last season, his decision making and distribution improved in leaps and bounds. He was vital and played a huge part in helping the team win the domestic double.

Gone is the habitual rush of blood which makes him make impetuous decisions which can sometimes lead to goals. His amazing reflexes and command of his goal area have also improved under the watchful eyes of Valverde and was a major factor in Barcelona’s defensive resilience last season.

His communication with the centre-backs and command of his area are of the utmost importance in a Barca side where the fullbacks play almost like wingers. With Nelson Semedo and Jordi Alba expected to start for the team, Ter Stegen’s quickness off his line to snuff out danger will be central to helping the Catalan club maintain the excellent defensive record it had last season.

#1 Lionel Messi

Messi holds the key to Barca's hopes for glory in the 2018/19 season

Another season of greatness beckons for La Pulga Atómica and in his hands rest Barcelona’s hopes of conquering Spain and Europe again.

Last season, the team in Valverde’s first season was more functional than creative. The Blaugrana had a hard time fashioning chances in its usual style. However, even this stodginess did not faze Leo as he scored 34 goals in 36 matches to almost singlehandedly drag the team to the La Liga title.

Messi produced another double-figure tally of goals and assists in the 2017/2018 season. He will once again be the difference between glory and ignominy for the Catalan side With the addition of Brazilian winger Malcolm and the full integration of Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele into the side, Messi’s importance will be more pronounced than ever this season.

Depending on how Valverde wishes to set up, Messi could play as the false 9 and be flanked by two of the aforementioned trio if Barca wants to go for speedy, high-octane play.

His ability to drop deep and pick magnificent passes to create scoring chances will also be of vital importance to the side especially in the big games where Coutinho might play in a more withdrawn central midfield role.

Whatever formation/tactic is employed, it goes without saying that Messi will be central to its success or failure. Simply put, if Barcelona wishes to achieve glory in the 2018/2019 season, its greatest ever player will be the deciding factor.