FC Barcelona International Round-up
Barcelona players have had quite the summer, with the likes of
Messi and Aguero bringing home silverware and several
players including Pedri, Busquets and Alba performing
at exceptional levels. Including the new signings,
14 FC Barcelona players have represented their nations at the
Euros or Copa America this summer. I’ll be assessing each one of
them and their performances with their national teams.
De Jong
Although Netherlands crashed out of the Euros, that takes nothing away from De Jong’s performance in the tournament. He started all the games for the Dutch National Team and was good in the group stage games, but he was quite underwhelming just like the rest of the team against the Czech Republic. De Jong did play in a deeper role as a pivot, so we did see more of him controlling the tempo of the game. We didn’t see any of the kind of runs he was making consistently this season for Barcelona from the interior role. His numbers aren’t massively impressive but playing in a deeper role he is playing more for the team. He completed 1 key pass, 4 dribbles, 83 touches and 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game. He didn’t quite peak at the tournament but for Barcelona you can guarantee him playing a much more expansive role.
Depay
Barcelona’s latest signing did show his brilliance in flashes at the Euros. He played in free role and was allowed to drift around. Depay completed 1.8 key passes, 2 dribbles and took 3 shots per game. Just watching his overall play was impressive, but we need to keep in mind the role he would play at Barcelona would be very different. He would have to stay disciplined and work hard. In the context of working hard, Depay’s work rate on the field was null. He did occasionally press, but he was quite ineffective. To his credit, Depay was a creative force with him ranking top 7 in progressive passes recorded, passes into the penalty area, goal creating actions and assists. We will have to wait and see what he can bring to Barcelona.
Antonie Griezmann
France were huge disappointments, but Griezmann did no harm to his chances of staying at Barcelona with his performances at the Euros. Playing in a free role, its no wonder Griezmann comes to life when playing for the French National team. He was dictating the game from every aspect. Griezmann was once again a creative force with 2.5 key passes per game and ranking top 10 in through balls and shot creating actions. As always, he was also chipping in defensively and working hard. But in terms of goal output, Griezmann does lack. France, of course, aren’t the freest flowing team and this does restrict Griezmann attacking output. This is again, not the role he would play at Barcelona just like Memphis Depay. It does beg the question, how can Barcelona’s frontline function with players in such similar free roles. Griezmann’s tournament overall was quite good but France’s disappoint doesn’t paint a good image for any of their players.
Dembele and Lenglet
Both the Frenchmen didn’t really get a chance to show their worth, playing a combined 76 minutes. Dembele’s stock did go down due to the injury and this injury being a long term one has certainly made Barcelona fans lose patience. After a progressive season, Dembele has once again returned to the hospital where unfortunately he has spent more time, than on the pitch. Although, international squads are quite dependent upon past performances and trust, the decision to call up Lenglet to the Euros was quite surprising. In the 45 minutes he did play he wasn’t all that great and come next season all we need to see him improve.
Emerson and Araujo
The South American men did make the squads for their respective countries but weren’t going to be playing much. With Gimenez and Godin holding down the centre back spots, Araujo didn’t get a look in, but Emerson did get a start and an made 2 appearances off the bench. Nothing much can be made from his performances, but he was quite solid and was restrained for most of the match. He did come on at left back in the final, but at that point Brazil were just throwing everything thing they could at Argentina. Hopefully we can see these two youngsters getting their chance soon for their national teams and become starters.
Martin Braithwaite
Denmark were in state of trauma after “that” incident and so was the entire world. But the way the Danes have fought back and made it to the semis is simply “EUPHORIC” as Schmeichel said. Denmark were a team more than a sum of their parts, and Martin Braithwaite was part of that team. As Barcelona fans, we should be overjoyed at seeing a Barcelona player flourish with this Denmark side under such difficult circumstances. Coming to the player himself, its funny that we consider Braithwaite as our only proper “Number 9”, yet for the national team he plays as a winger or plays in one of two attacking midfield spots. Braithwaite’s role for his national team is quite different, with him mostly being tasked with getting to the by line and supplying crosses, evidence to it is him ranking top 10 in crosses and players dribbled past at the Euros. He has been taking a lot of shots as well, ranking 5th for total shots at the Euros. Although Braithwaite did perform well at the Euros, I still don’t think he is good enough to stay at Barcelona because of our star-studded attack. Braithwaite’s performances at the Euros could surely draw some interest and fetch Barcelona some much needed money.
Spanish Barcelona Players
The Spain squad has been flooded with Barcelona talents for many years, with the likes of Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets and many more occupying the Spain squad for years. After winning back to back Euros and a World Cup, Spain have somewhat fallen off. Now, with Luis Enrique at the helm, it seems to be the start of a new era. Enrique has made Spain play some incredible football, that has seen Spain reach the semi-finals of the Euros. Personally, I was supporting Spain for this tournament due to the excess (4) Barcelona players, as I don’t owe regional allegiance to any of the European nations. The likes of Dani Olmo, Unai Simon, Pablo Sarabia and Aymeric Laporte have been impressive. But, once again it was the Barcelona players who were at the top of their game, especially the 18-year old Pedri.
Pedri
What a performance!!! That was what I said after every single Pedri performance. He has been absolutely sensational at the Euros, bagging the Young Player of the Tournament as well. Simply the maturity, elegance and intellect that this young gem plays with is an absolute joy to watch. We, Barcelona fans, got to know all about Pedri this season, but at the Euros, he has truly announced himself to the rest of the world. Pedri lead in several advanced metrics at the Euros including passes into final third, carries into the final third, through balls, shot creating actions and goal creating actions. He also ranked top 10 for several other metrics including passes into penalty area, key passes, progressive carries, pressures and progressive carries. The numbers, the eye test, the fans and UEFA everything and everyone have been mesmerized by this Barcelona kid. Luis Enrique also did play Pedri in a more advanced role, something Koeman might want to explore next season. The future looks bright for Pedri, and you bet I’m excited to see the monster this young gem hopefully will evolve into.
Busquets
Onto our next midfielder now, and it’s the cool minded Busquets. Spain looked to be really struggling in the first two games of the tournament and then bang, they are playing brilliant football once more with the return of Busquets from Covid. Busquets subsequently went on to win two Star of the Match Awards. Busquets provided Spain with the experience and calmness they needed. He was constantly circulating the ball, with 96 touches and 82 passes per game. He often helped break the opposition’s counter attack. His 5.1 tackles and interceptions evidence to the fact. If not for Jorginho, Busquets was the outstanding defensive midfielder of the Euros. Hopefully, Busquets can continue to provide impressive performances as such for the upcoming season.
Jordi Alba
From one Barcelona veteran to another, we move on to Jordi Alba. Spain dominated possession and this gave Jordi Alba immense freedom going forward. He was outstanding going forward and was often Spain’s most dangerous creative outlet. His recovery speed was fine, but really, he didn’t have much to do defensively. Jordi Alba ranks top 6 in several passing metrics including progressive passing distance, passes into the final third, passes and crosses into penalty area, progressive passes, crosses and key passes. For me, Jordi Alba was the outstanding left back at the tournament and that’s says a lot about the player as at this Euros we have seen several left backs including Spinazzola, Gosens, Luke Shaw and Mahlae who have flourished. We need Jordi Alba to put up these performances for Barcelona this coming season.
Eric Garcia
The young centre back has made a good start to his tournament football. Playing for Spain at a major tournament for the first time, Garcia gave a good account of himself. He did look shaky at the back and weak in the air, but his passing was on point with a pass completion rate of 96.2%. He was being rotated in and out with Pau Torres. At the age of 19, Garcia being called up to the national team despite barely playing for his club is quite brilliant. Now, what we need to see from Garcia is progress, and hopefully we will soon see him as a starter for Spain and Barcelona.
Lionel Messi
Yesssssssssss!!! It has happened, Lionel Messi has won his first international trophy!!! It’s absolutely made your summer if you are a Barcelona fan and you could see the joy and the relief on Messi’s face. MESSI HAS DONE IT; MESSI HAS WON THE COPA AMERICA WITH ARGENTINA. After all the heartbreak of the yester years, after losing in 4 major international finals, Argentina and Messi have finally won a major international trophy and that too at the Maracana, where Brazil haven’t lost a single Copa America match and the last time they were beat at their stadium was 71 years ago! Monstrous achievement from Argentina who have won the Copa America after 28 years. Coming to Messi himself, he was brilliant, we could talk all day about his triumph with Argentina. He was the top scorer, top assister and won the best player award. He also had the most man of the match performances. In the final, Messi was quite underwhelming, but Argentina’s game plan was just to defend and defend after scoring that goal. It was like any South American game, full of fouls and tackles. Apart from the football, Argentina were giving their all. They played with real intensity and determination. Rodrigo de Paul particularly really impressed me in the finals as well as across the whole tournament. Back to Messi, he was sensational and his numbers are also insane, but more than anything that first major international trophy is quite something.
Sergio Aguero
Onto Messi’s Argentine compatriot then, it’s the former Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero. He too tasted international glory for the first time and what a moment it was for him. Lautaro Martinez has been the starter in the centre forward position, but Aguero did take the spot for a couple of games due to Lautaro’s inconsistent form. He came on as a sub twice as well. His finishing seemed a bit off, but he hasn’t really played much so its only natural. Nothing much can be made from his performances at the Copa America. Nevertheless, its good to see him coming into Barcelona on the back of winning Copa America.
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