Positions that need reinforcing at Barcelona to guarantee success

#2 Tempo Controller

Barca need someone like Xavi who can control the tempo of the game

Someone like Xavi. Ever since the veteran's departure, Barcelona lost its ability to fully control matches the way they used to. Opposing teams became courageous in pressing Barca's midfield and defence bearing in mind that Xavi wasn't there to dictate play.

Rakitic doesn't fit Barcelona's positional play like Xavi did. He's a box-to-box midfielder who plays well when the game is in transition mode. Whenever the tempo slows down and spaces become tighter, the Croatian often suffers in protecting the ball and finding his team-mates.

Having a midfielder who specialises in recycling possession and organising the midfield will do wonders to Valverde's plan. The midfielder should be fearless when being put under pressure to the extent of showing himself to his teammates even when it's extremely risky; that's what Barcelona's model is about, and that's how they reached their peak in 2011.