This summer it's time for Barcelona to sign some starters
Barcelona spent 123 million euros on six signings this summer. A huge investment which has not paid off, to date. Of the six players, just Umtiti - who cost 25 million - has become a starter and among the 11 regular players picked by Luis Enrique. The rest have been, with different grades, disappointing. Especially the most expensive - Andre Gomes 35m plus 20 in variables!!! and Paco Alcacer (30m). Both, curiously, from Valencia.
The midfielder, despite having a lot of chances - 12th most used player in the squad with 2,059 minutes played, has not adapted to Barcelona’s style and was whistled at Camp Nou. The forward, in the shadow of the trident has only played 779 minutes and his delivery has been low - 3 goals. Denis Suarez and Digne have had roles as replacements, while Cillessen must just be confined to the cup. Six signings, only one has really worked, although the board insist they are all bets for the future.
The problem is that Barcelona can’t keep fighting for the cup, league and Champions League with substitutes. They need starters. And next summer, Robert Fernandez should look for a right-back, a midfielder and a winger who are ready to play and will raise the competitive level of the team. It seems likely that the transition will go from Luis Enrique to Juan Carlos Unzue. The team needs a trident of signings (Bellerin, Coutinho and Mahrez the profile) to keep aiming for the treble.
