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Barcelona should go after Anthony Martial in January

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 28, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 28, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Luis Suárez has bought Barcelona technical secretary Éric Abidal some time

Luis Suárez is silencing his critics with his recent performances for Barcelona, returning to form after a goalless run of 6 matches. ‘El Pistolero’ is back, and has scored 5 goals in the last 2 games, including a hat-trick in the 5-1 destruction of Real Madrid in El Clásico.

The 31-year old Uruguayan centre-forward has been very inconsistent since Ernesto Valverde took over as head coach last season. But now, with Lionel Messi’s injury, it seems as if Suárez is finally shouldering some responsibility and doing well.

But Éric Abidal needs to find a replacement for Munir too. The La Masia graduate’s contract expires at the end of the season, and he is not expected to pen a new deal. Regardless, the 23-year old Spanish striker is not deemed good enough to succeed Luis Suárez.

Fortunately, Barcelona have the opportunity to carry out this entire operation without having to spend a single penny, as Munir’s replacement can be signed on a free transfer. His potential replacement is Manchester United forward Anthony Martial.

Since joining from Monaco 3 years ago in a €60 million deal, the 2015 Golden Boy has scored 42 goals and provided 26 goals in 148 appearances at Old Trafford. Martial is considered to be the incarnate of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who later went on to join Barcelona.

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His figures may not be that impressive for an out-and-out centre forward, but he has adapted since joining Manchester United. He has had to adjust to United’s various signings, most notably Zlatan Ibrahimović and Alexis Sánchez.

Marcus Rashford’s emergence has also pushed him further left, and then permanently out of the first-team. The France international is frustrated with José Mourinho’s treatment of him, and wants to leave when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

Barcelona should seriously consider going after Anthony Martial. While he would need to adapt back into a central role in attack, he showed his quality as a centre-forward while at Monaco under Leonardo Jardim. He could act as an understudy to Luis Suárez, and eventually succeed him.

Martial shares a lot of qualities with Suárez, including good dribbling, and clinical finishing. Just like Suárez, the youngster also tends to drift wide in order to cut in. He is also an aerial threat from set-pieces, and can shoot from outside the box. But his crossing is not as good.

dark. Next. 'El Pistolero' is back with a bang

If Barça seriously intend to sign him, Éric Abidal needs to start negotiations with his representatives as soon as possible, in order to reach an agreement in January.

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