#1 Best Defender of the Year
The defence has been one of the biggest problems for Barcelona last year, as they were exposed time and time again. None of the regular players that featured in 2020 deserved an award as the whole defense as a unit was struggling. However, there was one player who stood out by the end of the year, and that is Ronald Araujo.
The Uruguayan was called upon after Koeman suffered a heavy blow to the defense with multiple injuries, especially the one to Gerard Pique. With the Spaniard ruled out until March, Araujo had to step it up alongside Clement Lenglet, but to much of everyone’s surprise, the 21-year-old outshined the Frenchman.
After suffering more injuries, Koeman was forced to promote B team defender, Oscar Mingueza, alongside Araujo, and the pair showcased amazing talent. While their inexperience has reflected upon their judgment from time-to-time, Araujo has largely been a solid solution to the club’s defensive issues.
The youngster has been deemed as the perfect successor to Pique and with Eric Garcia joining the Catalans in the summer, Barca’s defensive will have promising youngster than could be molded into great defenders.