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What will Barcelona do with the players returning from loan?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Gerard Deulofeu of Watford scores the 3rd Watford goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on February 5, 2018 in Watford, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Gerard Deulofeu of Watford scores the 3rd Watford goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on February 5, 2018 in Watford, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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5 Barcelona players will be returning to the club after a loan spell

VITORIA GASTEIZ, SPAIN – APRIL 7: Munir El Haddadi of Deportivo Alaves celebrates 2-0 during the La Liga Santander match between Deportivo Alaves v Getafe at the Estadio de Mendizorroza on April 7, 2018 in Vitoria Gasteiz Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
VITORIA GASTEIZ, SPAIN – APRIL 7: Munir El Haddadi of Deportivo Alaves celebrates 2-0 during the La Liga Santander match between Deportivo Alaves v Getafe at the Estadio de Mendizorroza on April 7, 2018 in Vitoria Gasteiz Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Barcelona is a club where expectations are sky high, where no underperforming players are retained for very long (André Gomes being an unfortunate exception). Last season, the management sent out many players on loan.

The first players to leave were Munir and Douglas. Munir had had a disappointing loan spell with Valencia. Douglas, on the other hand, isn’t cut out for European football. Munir has had an impressive season with Alavés and while Douglas, as usual, was terrible at Benfica.

Sergi Samper was also sent out on loan after the club decided to sign Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande. The young defensive midfielder could only make 3 appearances all season due to a long-term injury.

In January, Rafinha, Gerard Deulofeu and Arda Turan were sent out on loan after they failed to impress manager Ernesto Valverde. Deulofeu and Rafinha were sent to Europe on a short loan and they have returned, while Arda Turan returns next summer.

Munir should be kept, to replace Paco Alcácer, who has been largely disappointing this season and is set to leave in the summer. In 36 appearances at Alavés, the 22-year old forward scored 14 goals and provided 6 assists.

As for Douglas, the club should terminate his contract if no club wants to come in for him. He is a liability for the club. But Sergi Samper’s situation is very interesting, especially considering that the squad needs a backup for Sergio Busquets.

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Sergi Samper is a very talented player. But luck hasn’t always been on his side. His injury at Las Palmas kept him out of action for almost the entire season, but he has the potential to make a comeback and make an impact at Barcelona.

With André Gomes expected to leave the club, Samper should be given another opportunity by the management. He has always been overlooked for other players and new signings, but this may be his breakout season if he is given the opportunity.

As for Rafinha, he needs to be offloaded. It is clear that his heart is in Milan, and despite Inter ruling out a move, the club needs to sell him. It may not be Inter, but keeping him at the club will do nothing but hinder his development.

Gerard Deulofeu may be a useful player in the coming season. The player himself expects that the club will move him on but the management has a lot of time to brainstorm. He may yet have a future at the Camp Nou.

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