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Barcelona should consider Daniele Rugani as a centre-back option

By Chiranjib Ghosh

BERN, SWITZERLAND - DECEMBER 12: Daniele Rugani of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between BSC Young Boys and Juventus at Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf on December 12, 2018 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images)
BERN, SWITZERLAND - DECEMBER 12: Daniele Rugani of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between BSC Young Boys and Juventus at Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf on December 12, 2018 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images) /
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Barcelona are currently looking for alternatives to Matthijs de Ligt

It is clear that Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is Barcelona’s priority. But due to concerns that he may be too expensive, the club management has started to explore alternative, shortlisting Toulouse defender and to-be free agent Jean-Clair Todibo.

While the 18-year old France youth international is highly talented and has a lot of potential, there are doubts as to whether he can start producing the goods immediately on arrival at the Camp Nou. After all, he is very inexperienced, and is yet to play in European competitions.

Todibo would be better suited to a season in Barcelona B before making a step up to the first-team squad in order to get a taste of Spanish football. But time is a luxury for clubs like Barça, and the case is the same for La Masia graduates Chumi and Jorge Cuenca.

So, the club should consider another alternative to De Ligt in Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani. The 24-year old Italian defender is considered among the finest young talents in Europe, but hasn’t had the opportunity to develop as a player this season.

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After returning from his highly successful loan spell at boyhood club Empoli in 2015, Rugani has made 73 appearances. This season, he has made just 6 appearances in all competitions, with Leonardo Bonucci’s return making his inclusion in the first-team unfeasible.

The Italy international may be looking for a way out of Juventus at the end of the season in search of more opportunities, and Barcelona could oblige him. Of course, the Old Lady will not let go of their starlet very easily, but the player can force the move if he wants.

Since he has a contract till 2021, Rugani will cost more than Todibo. But he will certainly cost less than De Ligt, who commands exorbitant prices in today’s inflated transfer market. But since he shares many traits with the Dutchman, he will not be much different.

Daniele Rugani is an excellent passer of the ball, and tends to pass short. He is very focused on the pitch, and does not dive into arbitrary tackles. This may be because he is not the best tackler of the ball, but at least one defender in the pairing should be frugal with dangerous tackles.

Next. Barça end 2018 with good December showing. dark

The management should seriously consider Rugani as an alternative to Matthijs de Ligt. But since many clubs are interested in him, Éric Abidal should move quickly if Barça are to rope him in.

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