Prior to this week, many uncertainties loomed over the future of FC Barcelona. Beyond just their problems far away from the field, there were certain issues concerning their sporting staff as well. In particular, the continuity of Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona head coach remained completely up in the air.
Now, however, there is a guarantee that the Barcelona legend will remain at the club for one more season as the team’s manager. However, that means that Xavi’s concerns on a sporting level will continue to exist as well. That is why, come the summer transfer window, Barcelona must address them.
One such concern of Xavi’s and of Barcelona at large is their pivot position. Currently occupied by no elite specialist, various avenues have been looked at to find a suitable alternative. While Barcelona have found some level of success with Andreas Christensen as the experimental pivot, that is not a long-term solution for the club.
Thus, according to SPORT, Barcelona have three main ways of fixing this problem once and for all. In the upcoming summer transfer window, and in the period after the conclusion of this campaign and before the beginning of the next, Barcelona can finally find an adequate solution to this lingering issue.
The first avenue that SPORT believes Barcelona can take is the signing of an elite defensive midfielder. By putting their eggs in one basket and spending big on a pivot, Barça can look at names like Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), and Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa).
While these players would have substantial costs attached to their arrivals, they guarantee quality at the highest level.
Another route that the Catalans could end up taking is the recruitment of veteran profiles that no longer play in Europe. This would include names such as Marco Verratti or Marcelo Brozovic, who currently play in Qatar and Saudi Arabia respectively.
These players have significant experience in European football, and they may also be eager to return to that experience.
Lastly, Barcelona can do what they have almost always done in times of need. By turning to their own academy and quarry, La Blaugrana can place their bets on the youth of tomorrow.
Marc Bernal and Marc Casado are two names who stand out as quality pivots, and could end up being a solution as well if Barcelona is open to going down that route.
