FC Barcelona Pre-Season Round-up

Pre-Season is often seen as a formality, but it does signify much more. Fans get to see the youngsters who have been at the club for years and deserve a chance, the excitement of the new signings playing with their new teammates is imminent and of course, it’s the return of club football. Barcelona’s Pre-Season has been no different. The likes of Emerson and Depay have made their debuts for Barcelona. Exciting youngsters including Nico, Gavi, Balde and Demir. The Pre-Season for Barcelona has seen some standout players as well as players with relatively unchanged value. This blog post explores all of that and more.  

Standout Performers 

Gavi

There was only one man making the top of this list, and of course, it is young Gavi. The 17 year old had been exciting at Barcelona’s lower youth ranks and his efforts have been well recognized. But it’s the step up he has made in Pre-Season that has caught the eye of Culers. The elegance with which he plays is a joy to watch and his ability to read the game is well beyond the years. He combined well with his midfield counterparts and if not for the injury could have worked his way into the first team dynamics.

Memphis Depay

Many, including me had doubted the arrival of the Dutchman owing to his positional sense and role for his former team. But during Pre Season, Memphis has proven to the fans that he has a place in this team. His adaptability and versatility is great to watch as he would make fluid movements, drop in and make runs in behind. Memphis has showed that he can be the guy who makes the runs off the ball to unlock the likes of Griezmann to dictate the play. He showed positive signs when combining with his teammates as well. Memphis has certainly risen high in my rankings and I have faith him to deliver this season. 

Yusuf Demir 

The Austrian forward made the loan move to Barcelona this season and has got himself on the right foot. His decision making was sharp throughout the games and was a constant threat in the final third. His ability to create and get a shot off showed positive signs. In the first game or two, he did struggle to find spaces, but the progress he has made is imminent. He showcased his versatility as well, playing as a winger and midfielder. He has certainly proven himself worthy to be high up on the forward depth chart. Koeman has been impressed by his work rate and training as well and Demir could well have played himself into the first team dynamics.

Alejandro Balde

The 18 year old Barcelona B prospect has been highly spoken off and has recently signed a new contract with Barcelona. With the absence of Alba for the first few games, Balde had his chance to shine at left back. He lit up the left flank with his driving runs, but it has to be said that he looked frail defensively. He did impress Koeman but maybe not quite yet ready to take up the Alba back up spot. Nevertheless, The development of Balde is right on track.

Riqui Puig

The La Masia gem made some much needed starts for Barcelona under Ronald Koeman and grabbed a couple of goals as well. Although many might see the friendlies as an indication that Puig is being dropped down the pecking order, behind the likes of Gavi and Nico, that’s not how I see it. Riqui Puig and Koeman do seem to be on the same page and it looks like Puig’s role this season would be coming off the bench for the last 20-30 minutes and that does work well with the dynamics of the team. Riqui Puig has showcased his quality during Pre-Season and hopefully can make his way into Koeman’s lineups soon.

Rey Manaj 

The Albanian has probably had his dream come true this Pre-Season. Although signed to strengthen Barça B and gain promotion, Manaj got the opportunity to play the first team. And he did take it with both hands, taking home the match ball in the first friendly. He scored another goal as well in the next match and made a few appearances off the bench. Although this doesn’t get him into the first team squad, it’s brilliant to see such a opportunity be grabbed.

Ronald Araujo

The Uruguayan international put in a dominant performance against RB Salzburg and was solid whenever trusted upon. He was constantly exposed and left in 1V1 situations, but managed perfectly and spared Barcelona’s blushes. He was rock solid against Salzburg and was commanding the defence. All that we want to see from Araujo is him to stay fit and hopefully he can do so and establish himself as an integral part of the team. 

Neto

That Man of the Match performance in the Joan Gamper Match might just be the signal needed to keep Neto for the upcoming season. With Ter Stegen out for a few months due to injury, Neto seems to be the man to put on the gloves for Barcelona for the opening games of La Liga. All through Pre-Season it didn’t seem as though Inaki Pena or Neto were seizing their opportunity, but the match against Juventus was different. Neto came up with a string of brilliant saves to keep Barcelona in the match and drive Barça to victory.

First Team Guarantees

Many of the first team players joined Pre-Season late or have not really been up to much during the friendlies. The likes of Alba, Pique, Busquets, De Jong, Griezmann and Dest almost have their spots guaranteed in the first team squad and weren’t ruffling any feathers let’s just say, during Pre-Season. 

First Team Disappointments

Several players who were up for sale haven’t yet left the club and Pre-Season hasn’t been quite friendly with them. The likes of Pjanic and Umtiti still aren’t part of Koeman plans, with the latter being whistled by the fans as well. Koeman seems to rate Roberto and Braithwaite, but they didn’t show very positive signs for Barcelona. Lenglet also wasn’t quite impressive, but the market doesn’t really hold a place for these players to be sold. 

Rising Youngsters

Many Barcelona B stars got the opportunity to shine. While the likes of Gavi and Balde impressed, the others still have some development to undertake. Nico Gonzalez looked fine in the midfield and could get a few opportunities during the season owing to the depth issues in the defensive midfield spot. Collado did seem to fall down the pecking order with the rise of Demir, but he will get further opportunities to prove himself. Arnau Comas also did show positive signs and was composed at the back. Inaki Pena meanwhile, had a relatively quite Pre-Season as compared to Neto. Several other players including Jordi Escobar, Peque Polo, Nils Mortimer, Ndiaye, Santiago Ramos, Matheus Pereira, Igor and Hiroke Abe made appearances owing to the hectic season schedule.

There you have it, the Barcelona Pre-Season Round up. Comment down below which Barcelona youngster impressed you the during Pre-Season, share the content and why not check out the Memphis Depay - Player Analysis, if you haven’t already. Thanks for stopping by, I hope to see you back soon and remember it’s more than a blog.