Barcelona revolve around one player, and he needs to return to form
It is a fact that Ernesto Valverde’s side have lacked synergy in recent times. The teamwork has been patchy, and Barcelona have relied on individual talent to find the back of the net. But the reason for that is simple, Lionel Messi’s late start to the season.
Most top clubs in Europe, with exceptions like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Lucien Favre’s Borussia Dortmund, depend on talented individuals to get results. But not Barça. Barça depend on a collective effort from various top players, revolving around a single individual.
This may be paradoxical, but it is true nonetheless. It is Leo Messi who acts like the glue to bind Barça together. That is reason why his mere presence on the pitch is better than his absence. He gets the team to gel, and brings out the best in his teammates.
But Messi cannot perform that duty unless he gets on the ball and makes something happen. In the 4-0 win over Sevilla, the Argentine maestro scored a fabulous free-kick to seal the game. But overall, his passing play was lacking and his off-the-ball movement was a little off.
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If Valverde is to have a shot at rebuilding the synergy which led to two trebles in the last decade, he needs Messi to get at his absolute best. The Argentina international is ageing, and some of his recent injury problems have been recurring.
But if there is anything that is constant about Messi, it is his ability to bounce back. The Barça captain led the way as the Blaugrana came from a trophyless season under Gerardo Martino to a treble-winning side under Luis Enrique.
Messi has lost many of his trusted partners over the years, most recently Andrés Iniesta. Neymar’s departure is no longer recent history, and Sergio Busquets is on the wane. But Messi has a new generation of players to work with, who are equally talented.
Arthur and Frenkie de Jong’s recent run of form prove that they are the future of Barça’s midfield. Also, Ousmane Dembélé’s growth has been unstoppable and the Frenchman will be the successor to Leo Messi as the leader of the attack.
But most importantly, Ansu Fati has emerged as the next big talent from La Masia. The 16-year old Bissau-Guinean centre-forward has started his Barça career with a bang, and will be looking to Messi to mentor him towards superstardom.
Messi needs to form understandings with these players on and off the pitch, if Barça are to become an intimidating unit once again.