Barcelona Youth Academy player set to replace contract rebel Moriba
By Aditya Kumar
According to recent reports, Barcelona is looking to replace Ilaix Moriba with academy graduate Nico Gonzalez.
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Barcelona’s midfield has a lot of quality. Sergio Busquets playing as the pivot, with Pedri and Frenkie De Jong on each side is a very strong midfield. But with Busquets far from his prime at 33 and Pedri overworked since last season, this midfield is strong only on paper.
While Riqui Puig is an amazing option for the midfield, he is not Koeman’s favourite. He struggled the whole of last season to get minutes under the Dutchman and it does not look like the situation will improve anytime soon.
Due to this Ilaix Moriba was chosen as the fourth midfielder in the squad. But all the news surrounding his exit, Koeman is looking to use Nico Gonzalez as his additional midfielder this season.
Barcelona to use Nico Gonzalez this season as Ilaix Moriba eyes exit?
After watching him in a friendly, Koeman has been thoroughly impressed with the youngster and will give him first-team numbers this season.
Nico had an amazing pre-season with the senior squad recently and was handed his debut for the senior team in the opening fixture against Real Sociedad. He replaced Busquets in the 83rd minute and gave a decent account for himself before wrongfully giving away a free-kick that led to Mikel Oyrazabal’s goal.
With Riqui Puig, not even called up for warm-up and Miralem Pjanic heavily linked with a move away from the club, this is Nico Gonzalez’s chance. It’s a make or break opportunity for him. This can be the season he becomes the next La Maisa graduate the fans sing about or he can be another player who fails to make it big.
Next. Philippe Coutinho to get one final chance at Barcelona. dark
The opportunity is up for him to grab, it is up to him to make the most of it. Whatever it may be, Nico Gonzalez is one to keep an eye out for this season.