The FC Barcelona squad for the upcoming season would be significantly different from the squad that represented the club in the last season as a number of important players have departed and new ones have arrived, while further new signings are also in the pipeline.
Three of the club’s most senior players, including Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, left in the last season. All three of these players were the captains of the team, and with their departure, the club would have to decide the four captains who will lead the club during the upcoming season.
As reported by SPORT, one player who looks unlikely to become a captain any time soon at first glance, but actually has a good chance of taking the armband during the next season is Ousmane Dembele. The Frenchman is in his seventh season at the club and is the third senior-most player in the squad, behind only Sergi Roberto and Ter Stegen.
Dembele’s time at the club has seen both highs and lows, with his lengthy periods on the sidelines keeping him from contributing to the team and his tense contract negotiations vilifying him to the fans. However, the player has always been committed to the club and has no intention of leaving any time soon.
This was apparent when he did not take advantage of a clause in his contract which would have allowed him to leave only for €50 million. According to the Frenchman himself, his dream is to win the Champions League with Barcelona.
This commitment to the club and its cause has also endeared the Frenchman to Xavi, who likes the player a lot ever since they started working together. The dressing room at large also respects and loves Dembele, and his chances of becoming one of the captains next season are getting brighter.
However, the captains are selected by voting within the squad, and there are other worthy candidates for the armband as well. Lewandowski aims to become one of the captains and would be a rational choice because of his experience and stature. Similarly, De Jong also aspires to be a captain and would compete with Dembele for the armband.
