Barcelona's Strategic Options for the 2018-19 Season

With the end of the Griezmann era at Atletico Madrid, Barcelona now faces the challenge of fortifying their squad for the 2018-19 season. The experience and tactical flexibility of Ernesto Valverde have been key in navigating the complex world of player positions and roles. This article will delve into the strategic options Barcelona has for enhancing their squad and maintaining their position as one of the most formidable divisions in world football.

Understanding the Current Squad

Technically, Lionel Messi is often used as a false nine, a role that retains his scoring prowess while also creating space for himself and his teammates. This has been highly effective, as Messi has continued to dominate without the need for a traditional center-forward. However, the situation calls for more than just Messi's brilliance to secure the title. The squad requires more tactical depth and specific role-fillers.

Key Players and Their Roles

The current squad structure is as follows:

Goalkeeper: Marc-André ter Stegen, one of the best modern-day sweepers, providing stability in the air and game management. Defenders: Gerard Piqué, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, and Jordi Alba, a strong defensive lineup that has seen improvements thanks to Umtiti's recent extension contract. Middle-Drawable Midfielders: Fernandinho Rakitic and Sergio Busquets. Rakitic can adapt from a CAM to a CDM, and Busquets, a brilliant link man, is the backbone of the midfield. Attacking Midfielders: Philippe Coutinho, a versatile option who can play on the left or as an advanced playmaker, offering dynamism and scoring. Left-Back:Disposed of rotational options, full-backs like Alba often provide the left-side creativity and defense. Right-Wing: Arthur Melchor Dembele, who has shown growth but still needs to refine his skills in(docs). Forwards: Luis Suárez, an aging striker who now finds himself in a fluid strategy that capitalizes on his goal-scoring ability without the pace from the flanks. Arturo Vidal and Torres can also take up roles as forwards in a pinch.

Critical Vacancies and Strategic Options

Despite the tactical flexibility, there are crucial vacancies to address:

Goal Poacher

A center-forward with pace and finishing skills akin to Luis Suárez’s best days is a key addition. Potential candidates include Harry Kane, Gabriel Jesus, or Roberto Firmino. Danijel ?eko, the veteran forward from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is also a valid choice.

Linkman

A player who can link up play and pass effectively, such as Gokhan Inler or Santi Mina, could bolster the midfield. Given Mina’s cost and form, he could be an attractive option for Barcelona.

Barcelona's Future in Lionel Messi

Barcelona fans and organizers are increasingly looking towards Lionel Messi to mold the new players into a more "Leo-like" squad. Lionel Messi's influence and connections with new players, such as Boca Juniors' young talent Abraham Pavón, are crucial. Messi has hinted at a strong connection with Pavón, and Barcelona should pursue this opportunity.

Pavon's Potential

Pavón, having impressed under Lionel Messi, could be an ideal player to bring to Barcelona. His raw potential and receptiveness to coaching align well with Barcelona’s needs. A player who can link up play effectively and score important goals will be invaluable in Barca's midseason rotation.

Conclusion

The 2018-19 season promises to be a critical period for Barcelona. With the experienced players and tactical flexibility provided by Ernesto Valverde, filling these key vacancies through strategic player acquisitions can secure Barcelona’s position at the top of the La Liga standings. By focusing on specific roles and tapping into Lionel Messi’s current connections, Barcelona can prepare for a formidable campaign.

Key players like Dembele and Coutinho, while showing improvement, need to align with a firmer tactical role to support Messi effectively. As the squad develops around these core figures, optimism prevails that Barcelona will continue its dominance under the guidance of its veteran and young talents.