Barcelona’s midfield conundrum

Barcelona possess an embarrassment of riches in midfield.

The Catalan side are in bad need of shedding some players in this summer’s transfer window, with their midfield currently well overstocked.

One of Ernesto Valverde’s first problems to deal with at Barcelona is deciding which players he wants and needs as part of his first team squad next season, particularly in midfield. This will allow the club to begin to put moves in place for those deemed surplus to requirements.

Although the old adage states that games are often won and lost in midfield, it cannot be argued that the numbers that Barca possess in that area are unnecessary.

Valverde can call upon the services of: Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez, Rafinha, Arda Turan, Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Sergi Samper and Javier Mascherano (though he predominantly plays in defence for the Catalans) in midfield.

The former Bilbao manager will have some big decisions to make in the coming weeks, though right now it would appear that Arda Turan, Rafinha, Denis Suarez and possibly even Andre Gomes are the most likely players to depart the club this summer.

SOURCE: BESOCCER

Sporting Tribune