5 biggest problems Barcelona must address in 2021

teamphoto of FC Barcelona during the Spanish Super Cup match between Real Sociedad. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
teamphoto of FC Barcelona during the Spanish Super Cup match between Real Sociedad. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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Barcelona left-back
Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

#1 Find Jordi Alba’s successor

One of the biggest problems that Barcelona has at the moment is their defense. While they brought in a young talented right-back, Sergino Dest, they are still stuck with an aging Jordi Alba in the left-back position.

Alba is already 31 years old and has only a couple more years left of professional football and thus they need to find a younger replacement. The Catalans had Nelson Semedo as their main right-back last season, who would often swap positions to the left flank, but Koeman did not see him as Barca material and thus decided to sell him off.

While it is true that Semedo often made mistakes that led to the opposition scoring, he was still in his prime and had a lot of years left in him. The Spanish giants need someone like Dest on the other side of the wing as well. The club is already linked with Jose Gaya, a brilliant full-back from Valencia, who has been Alba’s replacement in the Spanish national squad.

The Catalans should try to materialize this deal and secure his signature as soon as possible. Gaya is just 25 and thus is just entering his prime plus he has almost 10 years of experience in Spanish football, making him perfect for Barcelona. One thing is for sure, Alba will retire or move away soon and then the club will be without a proper left-back if they do not sign someone soon.