With Coutinho injured who should replace him in the Barcelona lineup?

Philippe Coutinho has been one of the bright spots for Barcelona to start the campaign, but it looks like he will be out for about three weeks with a hamstring tear.

Against Real Madrid on Saturday, he wasn’t having his best game, but he did find ways to produce opportunities in front of goal, including a diving header that could have put his side in front.

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In manager Ronald Koeman’s 4-2-3-1, Coutinho has locked down the role as the attacking center midfielder.  He has also had a few cameos on the left wing, which is his preferred position.

The Brazilian has excelled here in large part because, outside of Lionel Messi, he is perhaps the most technically skilled player on the team.  He has played well in tight spaces, and has set up teammates with opportunities in front of goal.  Ansu Fati in particular has combined well with him.

Best of all, Coutinho has been scoring goals, most recently against Ferencváros in the Champions League where he curved a one time shot into the corner off a cheeky pass from Fati.

He’s one of the last players that Koeman could afford to lose, but now that we know he’ll be out for at least the next four games, who is the right player to take his place?

Injuries are opportunities.  Koeman will get to see what other players can provide, and if they do well, their role on the team could expand.  Let’s take a look at the top candidates.

Antoine Griezmann

No player has more to gain from the situation than Antoine Griezmann.

Not only will this give him an opportunity to come back into the lineup, it could give him the chance to play in the center of field where he belongs.

Two options here.

First, he could be a direct replacement for Coutinho in the attacking midfield.  The Frenchman has enough skill on the ball to facilitate the game through in the middle, and make good passes to set up teammates.  The real opportunity here is that he’ll get great looks at the goal, and may in fact be a better goal scoring option at this position than Coutinho.

The second option, is to move Messi to Coutinho’s position and have Griezmann play up front as the number nine.  This option is probably the best one when considering the team’s success, but it is less likely because it would require Messi to be more involved defensively, which he doesn’t seem to want to do.  One of the best parts of Griezmann’s game on the other hand has been his defense, even when his offensive contributions are lacking.

The most likely outcome with Griezmann, however, is that he goes back to the right wing, and Koeman gives another player the opportunity to replace Coutinho in the middle.

Pedri

In a provocative move by Koeman, Pedri started the Clasico on the right wing in place of Griezmann.

Most of the season, however, Pedri has been used as the first substitute off the bench to replace Coutinho in the middle.  Using Pedri in place of the Brazilian now is the most predictable scenario.

Pedri, like Coutinho, is a technician.  He’s extremely comfortable on the ball, and has made some commendable through balls to create opportunities in front of goal.

Koeman seems to think very highly of Pedri, and no doubt he will be given the opportunities over the next few weeks.

For Pedri, there is a lot on the line.  Because of his youth he hasn’t proven anything yet.  If he does well his star will rise, and he could be a regular starter on the team.  If he isn’t able to  perform at a high level, you could see him trend in the direction of Riqui Puig and see his minutes decline sharply.

Ousmane Dembele

Not playing Dembele sooner was Koeman’s biggest mistake on Saturday.

The start of the season was a challenge because of desire of the club to sell the Frenchman to Manchester United.  As a result, he didn’t get much playing time.

So far, he’s spent the season getting rid of rust, since he hasn’t played regular minutes in so long due to injury.

The time is now to give Dembele his shot to be the sensational player we all know he is capable of being.

With Coutinho out, Dembele should be the go to player on the right wing.  That would mean Koeman can use a variety of players to fill the hole in the middle until the Brazilian returns.  There are plenty of guys capable of doing this, but the big upside is that Barcelona could have two dynamic wings in Dembele and Fati.

This could create a level of pace and danger that the Blaugrane haven’t had in a long time.

Riqui Puig

If anyone should be considered the biggest winner in this situation it’s Riqui Puig.

Ronald Koeman seems to not favor him at all.  In fact, at times it looks like the Dutchman is looking for reasons not to play his academy prodigy.

Whether Koeman likes Riqui or not, it will be hard for him not to be given an opportunity in Coutinho’s absence.

In the new formation, the attacking center midfield position is really the only place for Riqui.  With Coutinho and Pedri before him in the depth chart, it has been hard to break through.  Now he has moved up, and will likely be used as a substitute in place of Pedri or whoever else is selected first.

The thing about Riqui is that he plays with a chip on his shoulder and isn’t afraid to work hard to prove he belongs.  If given the opportunity, don’t be surprised if Riqui impresses his manager and fans alike.  Energy and forward thinking is what he provides, and Barcelona could always use more of that.

For these players, this may be the best chance they get, and it’s not to be wasted.  It’ll be interesting to see how Koeman manages the situation, and who’s ready to take advantage.