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Barcelona : Should Valverde adopt a goalkeeper policy like Luis Enrique?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 08: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen of Barcelona looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on March 8, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 08: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen of Barcelona looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on March 8, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Luis Enrique utilised both of his goalkeepers to perfection in his three seasons at the club, but should Ernesto Valverde do the same?

Claudio Bravo stop a penalty during the match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla CF, corresponding to the second match of the spanish Supercup, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, on august 17, 2016. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Claudio Bravo stop a penalty during the match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla CF, corresponding to the second match of the spanish Supercup, played at the Camp Nou Stadium, on august 17, 2016. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

When Luis Enrique took over as manager in 2014, the first thing he did was sanction the signing of two top goalkeepers. Barcelona signed Claudio Bravo from Real Sociedad and Marc-André ter Stegen from Borussia Mönchengladbach.

This solved the goalkeeper crisis in the squad. Víctor Valdés had left the club after his contract expires and José Manuel Pinto had just retired after a horrid season between the sticks. But these two signings changed the scene.

Luis Enrique used Claudio Bravo and Marc-André ter Stegen in a way that kept both of them happy. Bravo performed consistently day in day out in the La Liga. While Ter Stegen guarded the goal in the more important Champions League matches, and the Copa del Rey.

Being a up-and-coming goalie, Ter Stegen opposed the idea of starting only in the cup games. But he slowly grew into the role, pulling off important saves. This system kept both players fresh. But after Bravo’s departure, Ter Stegen took over the role of the keeper in the La Liga.

But after the club signed Jasper Cillessen, the squad had another top goalkeeper. Luis Enrique sparingly used Cillessen in his last season in charge. But that was a waste of talent. Now, Ernesto Valverde has the opportunity to utilise him.

How Valverde can get the most out of both the goalkeepers

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – JULY 29: Jasper Cillessen of FC Barcelona during the International Champions Cup 2017 match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Hard Rock Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – JULY 29: Jasper Cillessen of FC Barcelona during the International Champions Cup 2017 match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Hard Rock Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Cillessen showed how good he is in the pre-season games. He even won man-of-the-match in one of the friendlies. Valverde can use him as the permanent goalkeeper in the cup games, just like Lucho did with Marc-André ter Stegen in his first two seasons.

Cillessen has already shown that he is good enough, while it would also give Ter Stegen some rest. While the German international is developing into one of the world’s best goalkeepers, it is also important that he is not fatigued.

In fact, that is what transpired last season. In the latter stages of the season, Ter Stegen started making mistakes and it affected the team pretty badly.

Next: Does Paco Alcácer have a future at Barcelona?

This season, Cillessen can play in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey in order for Marc-André ter Stegen to remain fresh and play well in the La Liga throughout the season.