How Barcelona’s Midfield Will Rotate This Season
By Erik Eckert
The midfield for Barça is now oozing with talent and quality and it shows how much things have changed over time.
The middle of the park for the blaugrana is without a doubt the most crowded area of the squad. Barcelona’s midfield is crucial to the way they play. They need to be confident in possession, quick on their feet, willing defenders, and able to recycle possession on counter attacks to the front three.
The defending 2x Spanish champions were sorely lacking in the midfield department last year. They had to rely on Iniesta, Busquets, and Rakitic for the majority of the season because of suspension and injuries. Arda Turan couldn’t play till January and Barça thought he was the answer to their problem. It wasn’t like he sat on the bench to a transfer ban. Sergi Roberto had to become a make shift RB because there was no backup in the position; Aleix Vidal was also unavailable till January. Rafinha suffered a torn ACL and had to miss the majority of the season. Most notably, there was no Xavi to save the day this year.
Despite such lackluster options available, Barcelona were still able to grind through the season. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they swiftly and calmly bolstered the midfield this summer. There was no way they could afford to run through another season with the same core group.
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The reinforcements that Barcelona have brought in gives you a sense of relief; the midfield finally looks deep. With newbies Denis Suárez, André Gomes, and Sergi Samper, Barcelona have fresh blood that will energize everybody. Veterans Andrés Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, and Sergio Busquets are all world-class. And there are still more options with the likes of Rafinha, Sergi Roberto, and even Javier Mascherano.
Because there are so many players vying for 3 positions, Luis Enrique must ensure he keeps them happy by rotating when necessary. Let’s take a look at how he will do that.
The Starters
Andrés Iniesta- the Barcelona captain is still a vital cog in Lucho’s system. His dribbling skills and decisive passing means he can still be counted upon. However, he is 32 years of age. He isn’t the player he once and can’t play every single match. Still, there’s still plenty of reason for Luis Enrique to trust him. He’s coming off of a fantastic season and his form has continued so far in preseason. Iniesta is tricky, smart, elegant, and influential. He will still start in the midfield against the big teams, but will be rested against the lesser teams in La Liga.
Sergio Busquets- Like Iniesta, Busquets is crucial to how Barça play. He’s molded himself into a player like Xavi; the ability to hold onto the ball and control the tempo of a match is his strength. There may not be a player with more responsibility on this team than Sergio Busquets. The game is dictated through him. He really is like Xavi now. Because Iniesta plays further up the pitch, Busquets has turned himself into a deep-lying playmaker.
If the middle of the pitch is tight, Busquets can easily switch the side of play by lofting long balls to the other side of the field. He’s exceptional at placing long diagonal balls into the box when someone makes a run. But unlike Xavi, Busquets is tasked with clogging the midfield, so to say. He must stop counter attacks as quickly as they originate. Nobody else in the squad offers his playmaking ability and tackling skills. Guaranteed starter.
Ivan Rakitic– This one isn’t as clear as the other two, mainly due to the signing of André Gomes. But for the sake of past success, Rakitic will still be the starter. The Croatian has been a fundamental player for the past two seasons for one reason. He gives Barcelona something they haven’t had in years; a traditional CM. Before Rakitic arrived, Barcelona played a midfield consisting of Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets. Sure, they rarely lost the ball and created a ton of chances, but when they did, they were burned.
Xavi didn’t have the physical qualities to be a box to box midfielder. When he got older, he lost the ball more, which led to more goals conceded for Barcelona. So now, there isn’t as much of a creative burden on the midfield. That falls on the front three. Because they don’t track back often, the midfielders truly need to be two-way players. That’s EXACTLY what Rakitic is. I expect he’ll have at least one or two more seasons of being the starter.
The Bench
Denis Suárez- The 22-year-old Suárez is the natural successor for Iniesta. Whenever Iniesta isn’t playing, Denis will more likely than not be the once in his place. He already looks so comfortable in the Barça team. Denis was brought back to the Camp Nou with the assumption he will be Iniesta’s replacement. While that time isn’t just yet, it’ll inevitably happen. And Denis will be right there waiting. Denis may not be the passer that Iniesta is, but he offers a combination of pace and agility that Iniesta just doesn’t have anymore. He’s not going to be starting against Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. But games versus Sevilla, Villareal, or Valencia? He’ll definitely be considered to start.
André Gomes- Gomes was Barcelona’s biggest signing this summer, costing an initial €35 million, with up to €20 million more in variables. You don’t spend that much money on a player if he’s just gonna sit on the bench. This is the reason why I think Rakitic only has a year, maybe two left as the starter. Ivan Rakitic is the player that Gomes will be replacing, not Iniesta.
While Gomes is great at playing on the left side of midfield, he’s needed more as a box to box player rather than an attacking mid. Rakitic won’t be replaced because of his age; he’s only 28. He still has a lot to give. It’s just that Gomes has so much potential. The potential to be one of the best central midfielders in the world. If he is do that, he’s going to need regular playing time; which means we’re going to see the end of Rakitic soon. However, it shouldn’t be this season. Gomes will be play in Rakitic’s position when the latter isn’t playing.
Javier Mascherano- Might as well talk about a backup for Busquets too! While Mascherano isn’t considered a midfielder anymore, the natural instincts to play as a CDM are still there. Don’t forget, he was one of the best in the world at that position before he was converted into a CB. He won’t provide the key passes Sergio does, but very few people can. I like to think of Mascherano as a classic defensive midfielder. He’s exceptional at tackling and winning the ball back. Due to the presence of Umtiti in the back, Mascherano should get more time in the midfield.
The Extras
Rafinha- I just recently published an article trying to figure out where Rafinha fits best. The biggest problem he faces is there are too many players ahead of him. Can he play as an attacking midfielder like Iniesta? Sure, but Denis Suárez is better at it. Can he be a box to box player like Rakitic? Yes, but there’s still André Gomes. He’ll probably spend most of his time at right-wing, but Munir has looked great in preseason so far. That’s another obstacle. See what I mean?
It’s going to be so hard for Rafinha to get playing time, well, at any position. If we’re just going to focus on the midfield, his best bet is he right side. He has experience linking up with Messi on the right side. Also, having another option behind Rakitic means we can see André Gomes play more on the left side of midfield, if needed. But things aren’t looking great for Rafinha, at least in the midfield.
Sergi Roberto- Sergi is versatile enough to play in any of the three midfield positions. However, he’s needed most at right back. Luis Enrique will rotate between him and Vidal. Sergi can’t afford to get tired playing midfield. Only if there are a plethora of injuries will we see Sergi in the midfield.
Sergi Samper- The newly promoted member of the first team will one day be the successor to Busquets. Unfortunately, that time is not now, nor will it be anytime in the near future. At this stage of his career, Sergi needs regular playing time to develop. He isn’t going to get that at Barcelona right now.
All that is a decent amount to read, so I’ll summarize.
Iniesta, Rakitic, and Busquets will, and should, be the starters for this season. Denis Suárez will provide cover for Iniesta, and André Gomes will provide cover for Rakitic. (At least for this season). Rafinha and Sergi Roberto are only two that are in dire situations. Sergi Samper will probably end up going on loan, as there is no place for him right now. This shows how much depth Barca have in the midfield and they will prove to be a strong force in La Liga once again.