Potential signings to replace Jordi Alba at Barcelona
Barcelona are going through a transitional state at the moment and they are trying to fill the squad with young talents while bidding farewell to older legends.
Luis Suarez was the first veteran who was shown the door and Ivan Rakitic soon followed. The latest player whose career has been under speculation is left-back, Jordi Alba.
The Spanish defender, who is almost 32 years of age, is currently first-choice Barcelona left-back after Junior Firpo lost the manager’s faith.
However, Alba cannot be the answer to this rapidly changing Catalan side and they will need someone younger to fill in his boots.
While the Spanish giants have been using right-backs as a coverup for Alba, they require a traditional left-back to do the job to its fullest potential.
Nelson Semedo was often used as a replacement for the Spaniard during his absence and since the Portuguese’s departure, Sergino Dest has been named for the duty.
While the club’s financial situation will make it difficult to secure a left-back, as coach Ronald Koeman has revealed that his priority lies on securing a centre-back and striker first, here are some options they might want to look into:
NEXT: David Alaba of Bayern Munich
#5 David Alaba of Bayern Munich
28-year old David Alaba is not the first player to come to mind when you say the words, “young”. However, the Bayern Munich man who has been having troubles with renewing his contract could be the perfect choice for Barcelona. The Austrian defender has a plethora of experience and achievements. His trophies along with his leadership abilities make him a perfect candidate for the Barcelona role, at least for a few years. The Catalans are struggling at the back and they need a player who will be able to lead the backline and solidify the defense. Alaba also has the uncanny ability to be able to play in nearly all the positions in defense and the midfield. Thus, should the Bayern man not sign a new contract, Barcelona should try to pick up the free agent even if his wages might be a bit on the higher side of the spectrum.
NEXT: Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona B
#4 Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona B
Barcelona could also choose to take a more financially suitable route by going for youngster Alejandro Balde. The 17-year-old left-back is a product of La Masia and is currently playing for the Barcelona under-19 squad. The Spanish defender could be a good choice for Ronald Koeman as it would help him save some money for future transfers. He is developing quite steadily as well, his pace, dribbling skills, and immense physical strength have caught the eyes of the first-team coach who made him train with the first team on several occasions. Although still unproven in the elite tier of football, Balde can be the perfect cheap gamble for Barcelona.
NEXT: Jose Gaya of Valencia
#3 Jose Gaya of Valencia
Another talented option that Barcelona staff should look into is Jose Gaya. The 25-year-old from Valencia could be a viable option for the Catalans. Although the Spanish defender has now lost the hype train, he is still a very good left-back for advanced game style. His playing style is similar to Alba as he is often found at very advanced positions trying to whip in a good cross inside the box. With over 180 appearances in the La Liga, Gaya would have no trouble fitting into the Barcelona side. The Spaniard would be cheap as well although he would have to take a rather moderate wage. Koeman should definitely keep him in mind as an alternative to the other options if they do not work out.
NEXT: Angelino of Manchester City
#2 Angelino of Manchester City
Another left-back from the Bundesliga whom Barcelona are interested in is Angelino. The 23-year-old Spanish left-back has been on loan at RB Leipzig from Manchester City since January of this year. The defender has been one of the most consistent players for the German side and they even have a clause to buy him at the end of his loan period. Angelino and Leipzig’s brilliant UEFA Champions League run last season made Koeman interested in the player and his current form with the club will only make the Dutch manager even more interested. The left-back has started in every single game this season for the German club which goes on to show his consistency and exactly why they want to buy him. It will be a tough job to acquire the player but Koeman should definitely keep him as one of their options
NEXT: Alejandro Grimaldo of FC Barcelona B
#1 Alejandro Grimaldo of Benfica
Alejandro Grimaldo is another player who was a part of Barcelona’s youth teams. Having played in both the U-16 and U-19 teams along with the Barcelona B team, the Spanish left-back was sure that he would ultimately get the chance to play in the first team. However, this dream never became a reality and he was forced to move to Benfica in 2016 in order to finally get some top-tier football. Since he joined the Portuguese side, his abilities as a modern left-back have been very visible. He is speedy, he can dribble past players and he is always looking to assist his forwards. Last season he assisted six times and the season before that he provided 12 assists. He can be a very useful player for Barcelona and although his defensive skills need some improvement, he is only 25 years of age and is yet to enter the peak of his career.
Which of these players would you like to see replace Alba at Camp Nou?
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