FC Barcelona is eliminated from the Champions League after spending 153 million euros. Heads must roll, but which ones?
The fans seem to be 50/50 split on whether or not Xavi deserves to keep his coaching job, but there are some players who already have less rope to hang themselves with…
Raphinha
Barca splashed €50m on Raphinha, who left Leeds for Camp Nou in July, but the Brazilian has disappointed so far, with just one goal and one assist in 14 appearances in all competitions.
Barca are spoiled for choice with Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, and at this rate they could well see if Chelsea remain interested in Raphinha’s services after beating the Blues for his signature in the summer.
Franck Kessie
Franck Kessié may have only cost a signing fee and salary compared to Raphinha, who he joined for free from AC Milan, but the Ivorian’s impact has been minimal, with only four starts in all competitions.
Injuries haven’t helped the midfielder, but with Frenkie de Jong staying and Gavi and Pedri – the last two Kopa Trophy winners – both given new contracts with €1bn release clauses. euros, the path to integration into the first team is rightly blocked for Kessie.
Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique was one of the best centre-backs in the world in his time, winning La Liga eight times, with three Champions Leagues and a World Cup with Spain under his belt, but time is a world champion undefeated, and at 35, Pique is starting to lose this battle.
He doesn’t seem to be in the game rhythm, he reportedly fell out with Xavi, and with Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde, it’s time to thank Pique for his services and move on.
Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay looked set to follow Philippe Coutinho and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Camp Nou’s exit door this summer, but offers from Juventus or Manchester United failed to materialize and he stayed put.
Barca simply don’t need him with Robert Lewandowski and his teammates in the final third, and a swap deal for Liverpool’s Bobby Firmino in January would be preferable to losing the Dutchman for free next summer.
Jordi Alba
Another club captain, Jordi Alba has been a part of most of Pique’s trophies at club and national level, but he is no longer able to rule out 19-year-old Alex Balde at left-back.
Like Pique, he has a contract at Camp Nou which runs until June 30, 2024 and must be released before then. Inter Milan have been credited with an interest in the player this summer.
Not to miss
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