Midfield madness: Barcelona could have ten midfielders competing for two spots next season

After Xavi’s retirement in 2015, Barcelona struggled with their midfield for a while under Luis Enrique. Ivan Rakitic, while a tremendous player, was not able to replicate his 2014/15 form, and an ageing Andres Iniesta looked overworked more often than not.

Ernesto Valverde’s tenure was even more complicated. He got Paulinho as his big midfield addition after being linked to Marco Verratti all summer. This midfield was not able to cope with the pressure of the modern game, and kept crumbling in stressful situations.

Arturo Vidal’s addition did not do much either, and their poor display over Liverpool – over both legs, to be honest – was evidence of how a lethargic midfield, coupled with an unsustainable system, can lead to disaster.

Fast-forward to 2020, Ronald Koeman is using a 4-2-3-1 with Frenkie de Jong at the crux of his system. Miralem Pjanic, Philippe Coutinho, and at times, Sergio Busquets are all involved but something seems missing.

Enter Pedro Gonzalez, aka Pedri. After experimenting with him as an attacking midfielder, right-winger, left-winger, Koeman finally decided to use him as a central midfielder, and inevitably, the midfield exploded.

Ilaix Moriba came and left the picture, while Gavi and Nico Gonzalez, both, have taken their place in the team. The duo, almost immediately, have surpassed Riqui Puig in Barcelona’s dynamics, w, and partchile Pjanic accepted his fate early and left on loan.

Puig has been linked with an exit, but there are no concrete links regarding his future club as of now. Pjanic will be returning from loan along with Alex Collado, both of whose futures are unknown.

Not to forget Barcelona have completed the signings of two midfielders; only one officially though. Pablo Torre will arrive as a Barcelona B player from Racing Santander, but is expected to be part of the first-team dynamics.

Meanwhile, Franck Kessie has been signed as a free agent on a hefty salary from AC Milan. He, too, will be looking to be a part of the starting lineup.

Aston Villa, and particularly Steven Gerrard is evidently fond of Coutinho, but his purchase clause (€40 million), and his hefty wages might get in the way of their pursuit. For all we know, the Brazilian could be back in Catalonia before we know it.

At the end of the day, Barcelona have ten midfielders fighting for two spots before the season starts. Sergio Busquets might be the only one with a guaranteed spot, mostly through the credit of no replacements being available.