Stocked for the next decade? Assessing Barcelona's midfield options

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 12:13 25/01/2019
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  • Arthur

    The year was 2014 and Barcelona were struggling to find the perfect replacement for midfield maestro Xavi. The consequence of not being able to find a player with the Barcelona DNA would hit them – slowly but surely.

    Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes were signed to fill the void left by Xavi, but the Spanish duo failed to make an impact.

    Former Tottenham flop Paulinho was roped in from Chinese club Guangzhaou Evergrande. The Brazilian was signed to achieve short-term goals and was shipped off after a successful stint.

    Arthur was signed from Gremio in the summer of 2018 and a prospect from the B team – the versatile Carles Alena – was promoted to the senior squad.

    Barcelona B players Riqui Puig and Oriol Busquets train with the first team regularly and are touted to make the breakthrough sooner rather than later.

    Things have not been great in the midfield department after Xavi's departure

    Things have not been great in the midfield department since Xavi’s departure.

    On Wednesday, the Catalan club announced young Ajax sensation Frenkie de Jong will be joining the club this summer.

    In Arthur (22), Alena (21), De Jong (21), Busquets (20) and Puig (19), Barcelona potentially have the core of their midfield sorted for the next decade, if everything goes according to plan.

    Most of these players can play in more than one position and this opens up possibilities for a plethora of combinations in a three-man midfield.

    Assuming that the likes of Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Rafinha would have either moved on or retired three years from now, we take a look at some of the combinations in midfield that Barcelona could consider:

    Alena (RCM), De Jong (CDM), Arthur (LCM)

    Carles Alena.

    Carles Alena has featured fleetingly already for the Blaugrana.

    Dutchman De Jong is not a like-for-like Busquets replacement, but has shown at Ajax that he can undertake the role of a defensive midfielder perfectly. The 21-year-old can break lines from deep and screen the defence at the same time.

    Arthur will play the role of the number eight – or the controller of the tempo in midfield. This is not different from his role currently, but the Brazilian must be confident with his passes and attempt risky ones more frequently. This, of course, comes with experience and confidence – something the youngster would surely have mastered three years from now.

    Alena has functioned as a 10 every time he has played this season. An advanced role and the burden of creativity awaits the La Masia graduate, should he cement his spot as an undisputed starter.

    This line-up is most likely the one that could take shape for the most part over the next decade.

    Alena, Busquets, De Jong

    “Only La Masia can replace La Masia,” the Barcelona purists say, as they attempt to draw the comparisons between Sergio and Oriol.

    The protegee is said to be a carbon copy of the original and, should the youngster make an impact so huge that he becomes an undisputed heir to the throne, De Jong can be moved higher up the pitch.

    The Dutchman can function on the right and the left side of midfield and in the case of the latter, he is very much capable of carrying the ball and dictating the pace of the game.

    Alena will be playing his preferred number 10 role again.

    De Jong, Busquets, Arthur

    Frenkie de Jong with that Barcelona DNA?

    Frenkie de Jong with that Barcelona DNA?

    Again, the Dutchman’s versatility allows him to function as the creator from the left side of midfield. De Jong has been deployed in a similar role by Ronald Koeman in the Dutch national team too and all evidence points to the fact that he can do a splendid job for Barca from this position.

    Busquets and Arthur can function as a defensive midfielder and a controller respectively from their favoured positions.

    Puig, De Jong, Arthur

    Arthur has been an instant success at Barcelona

    Arthur has been an instant success at Barcelona.

    This scenario can take centre stage in the event Puig makes leaps and bounds in his progress and overshadows Alena.

    Both the academy graduates are comfortable playing higher up the pitch, preferably as playmakers.

    The diminutive Spaniard is technically gifted, versatile and balanced in every sense of the word. The wonder-kid can play anywhere in midfield and could do well in this setup – but his rate of progression is key.

    Alena, De Jong, Arthur, with Puig as a “false nine”

    Riqui Puig

    Riqui Puig.

    The midfield three of Alena, De Jong and Arthur has been discussed. The synergy of this and Puig functioning as a false nine could work wonders, under a competent coach who can execute this well.

    The 19-year-old Puig has been deployed as a false nine before and he can revisit that role, if needed.

    Other possible setups:

    Puig, Oriol Busquets, De Jong

    Alena, Oriol Busquets, Puig

    De Jong, Oriol Busquets, Arthur, with Puig as a “false nine” and Alena as a right winger (bonus)

    Clearly, the possibilities are endless if all the players step up and live up to their promise. If at least three of the five prospects make a serious impact, Barcelona’s midfield will be in surely be in safe hands for the next decade.

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