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After winning the domestic double last season, FC Barcelona have set their sights on the UEFA Champions League this season after being knocked out in the quarterfinals in each of the last three seasons. Fatigue and lack of depth in the squad have been the two major factors for their recent disappointments. Barcelona's summer signings have often been questioned in recent years as the players have struggled to adapt to the playing style and demands of the Catalan club.
But this summer Barcelona have made some smart acquisitions and look a formidable side. Club captain Lionel Messi has made it clear that the club would try to do everything to bring the UCL back to the Camp Nou.
Sitting at the top of the table and an El Clasico looming in the semifinals of the Copa Del Rey, Barcelona will be looking to compete on all fronts and achieve an unprecedented third treble.
After a strong start to the season, let's take a look at how the four new signings have fared so far, taking into consideration how they have performed and settled in the club:
#4 Malcom
The curious case of Malcom. After being signed up by Barcelona for €41m from the clutches of Roma, the Brazilian has failed to impose himself at his new club. He has often been consigned to the bench and not even considered as a viable option in the final minutes, which makes it even more confusing as to why were Barcelona desperate to get him. He was not even the first choice for his new club over the summer and was never in the manager's plans.
It looked like things could change after he netted against Inter Milan in the UCL, but it has more or less been the same. To his credit, the forward has taken the situation with laudable maturity and humility. From being the main man at Bordeaux to a fringe role at Barcelona, Malcom has had a tough start to life in Catalonia.
#3 Arturo Vidal
An upgrade from Paulinho. Valverde was left disappointed when Paulinho was loaned out to Guangzhou Evergrande in the summer and demanded a replacement for the Brazilian. Barcelona shocked the world when they secured the services of one of the world's best box-to-box midfielders for just €19m.
Initially, Vidal struggled for minutes. The Chilean went public to express his anger with his lack of first-team football. But unlike his teammate Malcom, things began to change for the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder. Rotations and injuries are prerequisites and they will need the experience of Vidal to compete on all fronts.
#2 Clement Lenglet
One of the most sought-after defenders in the summer, Barcelona shelled out €36m for Lenglet from Sevilla. He was signed mainly as a backup to Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti but with Umtiti suffering from knee problems consistently throughout the season, Lenglet has had a lot more action than he, and probably the club, bargained for.
Lenglet has been a revelation since his arrival. Great in the air and on the ball, Umtiti may have to work his way to displace his French compatriot on present form. Lenglet may lack the physical presence of Umtiti, but he has hardly put a foot wrong in his absence.
If genuine competition for places is what Valverde desires for each position, then he certainly has one at the heart of the defence. Definitely a contender for the bargain of the season. Some may debate that he deserves to be ranked one in this list, but a certain Brazilian has set the Catalan club alight with his performances so far.
#1 Arthur Melo
Xavi 2.0. A signing Barcelona have been crying out for years. Arthur joined Barcelona from Brazilian club Gremio and has been quietly enhancing his reputation. His integration at the club has been steady and was limited to substitute appearances at first but after making his first start against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, he has been indispensable.
Protects the ball well, passes it wisely, sets the play up, he is an organiser of play. Arthur has the Barcelona DNA and was born to play for the Catalans. At 22 years of age, things can only go uphill from here. With Barcelona already announcing the signing of Ajax midfielder Frenkie De Jong for the next season, we could be seeing the next Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.
