Ronald Araujo could be the ideal successor to Gerard Pique at Barcelona.
Barcelona youngster Ronald Araujo can be the next big centre back at the Nou Camp according to Mundo Deportivo. The 21-year-old has the potential to be good enough to replace Gerard Pique who has been serving the club for an eternity now. The Catalan legend had stated that he will do whatever the club wants him to do even if it means leaving the club, earlier this summer after the horrific end to a trophyless season.
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Araujo performed extremely well recently and showed Ronald Koeman that he can partner up with fellow centre-back Clement Lenglet and form the next big pair at Barca. La Masia youngster and Manchester City defender, Eric Garcia, has been heavily linked with the club and with the deadline day ending, the 19-year-old was held back at the City of Manchester Stadium as the Catalans failed to match the club’s asking price of 20 million euros.
However, the Uruguayan looks like he’s sealed a place in Koeman’s plans at the Nou Camp and with Gerard Pique ageing, Araujo can make an impact and seal his place in the starting lineup for the upcoming years. The former Everton boss had nothing but high praise for the youngster after their draw against Sevilla. Although Luuk de Jong’s goal had dismantled the Barca defence, Araujo had done a pretty good job taking up Lenglet’s position that game.
The Uruguayan had played extremely well as he set out wonderful long passes and short ones. The 21-year-old had kept Ocampos in check. Under the leadership of Pique, he had done quite well. The La Liga giants have some good youngsters that have a bright future on their hands. With the arrival of Sergino Dest from AFC Ajax, they landed another promising youngster. With Ansu Fati, Riqui Puig, Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Francisco Trincao and Pedri, the Catalan giants have absolute gems on their hands for the future and they will not be looking to sell these talented youngsters so easily. Ousmane Dembele too has returned from injury which is a major boost for Barca, despite transfer talks of Koeman wanting Dembele to leave on a permanent deal to Liverpool or Manchester United.
Should Koeman make Araujo the undisputed starter alongside Clement Lenglet?