5 Centre-Backs Barcelona should sign in 2022
Barcelona is in desperate need of some new players. The team right now is very fragmented and getting results every once in a while will not cut it. Xavi Hernandez has taken on a tough job to try and bring this team out of this slump however, the renovation project will need more than just single-dimensional vision. The main aspect of Xavi’s philosophy is quite similar to Pep Guardiola, play a high line, keep position and keep pressing. This is a very useful tactic if implemented properly; however, the main problem of this method is the Highline.
Keeping such a Highline makes the team vulnerable to counter-attacks and that is exactly what is happening to the Catalans right now. In order to avoid counters, the central position should be filled in by a very physical player who will make it difficult for the opposing team to attack and good centre-backs who will maintain their calm and deal with the situation without conceding a foul or letting in a goal. This is the main problem with the team.
Barcelona need to sign a new centre-back
They only have two good centre-backs at the moment, Ronald Araujo and Gerard Pique. However, the fact is that Pique is almost at the age of retirement and is also prone to injuries. This means that a new centre-back is a must for the team and Barca are looking into experienced players who are running out of contracts. They will also be looking into players who only have a few years left at top-level football since they are still counting on Garcia to make a significant improvement. Right now, they need someone who can directly fit into the first team and make an instant impact alongside Araujo. For that, they will need someone who is experienced and keeping that in mind, here are the five players they could go for this year.
#5 Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea
If Barcelona wants quality, there is no better man for the job than Antonio Rudiger. The German defender is considered one of the best in his position and there is going to be a heated battle for his signature near the end of the season. The player who was once considered done and dusted has completely reinvented himself under Thomas Tuchel and has cemented himself as one of the best in the Premier League alongside the likes of Ruben Diaz and Virgil Van Dijk. He is currently on the last six months of his contract at Chelsea and he will be a free agent by the end of June.
Considering he is regarded as one of the best in the world right now, it would seem obvious that Barca would be interested in the player but the truth is he is going to be extremely tough to bring him into the Catalan side. This is because the player knows that this is going to be his last big contract and thus he is demanding an exorbitant amount which will most definitely break La Liga’s wage regulations. The Catalan kings could have had the player for a lot less last season had they gone for a loan move when he was not playing under Frank Lampard.
However, no one wanted the struggling star at Barca and he was never taken seriously. Things could have been very different had Barca moved for him last season but now it is going to be extremely tough to bring him in even if he is available on a free transfer.