FC Barcelona are set to lose some of their long-serving veterans over the course of the upcoming summer, and looking for alternatives remains a top priority. At the moment, the primary objective remains finding a top replacement for Sergio Busquets, but there is another who needs replacing.
The departing veteran and Barcelona legend Jordi Alba is also one such player who leaves behind both a legacy and a vacant position that he has commanded for almost a decade prior to this season.
With his departure confirmed, Mundo Deportivo has released a list of options that exist as his main replacements in the future:
Alejandro Balde (Barcelona):
The youngster has broken through to the first team this season as an electric and massively talented player who may just be aspiring to make it three Golden Boy awards in a row for FC Barcelona with his stellar performances this season.
Marcos Alonso (Barcelona):
The secondary backup to Alejandro Balde would be Marcos Alonso himself naturally. The experienced defender has played much of his career as a left-back and that position remains something that he has always been accustomed to.
Joao Cancelo (Man City / Bayern):
The possible signing of a player like Joao Cancelo would definitely make things interesting. Facing a bit of a struggle at Bayern Munich and having had his ties at Manchester City tainted, a player of his quality at Barcelona could definitely make Xavi Hernandez wonder. An elite fullback, he mainly plays as a right-back as his preferred flank, but is almost equally as devastating an asset to deploy on the left courtesy of his great ability to use both feet almost equally well.
Sergino Dest (on loan at AC Milan):
While he currently remains on loan at AC Milan, the operation itself has not been all too successful for Sergino Dest. The player could possibly be recalled to Barcelona and instead of being transferred, be utilized as an emergency left-back, something he has shown himself be capable of doing, despite his preferred side being the right flank.
Roman Vega (La Masia):
In recent times, starlets from La Masia have come to the aid of Barcelona when things have looked dire. Now, in terms of finding a left-back from their academy, the names of Roman Vega, Gerard Gonzalez, and Niko Takahashi are some that Xavi could possibly test out.
Sergi Roberto (Barcelona):
Lastly, perhaps even Sergi Roberto himself could be counted as an alternative at the left-back position. A versatile player by trade, while he consistently remains at the helm of the right-back position, he has shown himself be able to be deployed at the left as well should circumstances be that dire.
As the veteran departs and Barcelona possess the opportunity to invest in an additional left-back, it is perhaps quite down the pecking order in terms of priority. The Catalans reportedly are more concerned about their pivot position being left vacant by Sergio Busquets and an additional specialist right-back seems a much more integral and pressing matter as of right now compared to the relatively better-covered left-back position at FC Barcelona.
This completely idiotic! Sergi Roberto should have been let go many, many years ago, Marcos Alonso has been Xavi’s worst mistake, he deserves no place in Barcelona. Barcelona must get rid of Sergi Roberto, Raphina, Alonso, Ferran Torres and should hire Anthony as a right forward and Hakim Ziyech, proven great players at Ajax. Xavi fails in player selection and has NOT brought back tiki taki, he has been very disappointing