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Barcelona have to move on from Messi the right way

By Luis Garcia

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 20: Head Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona acknowledges the supporters after being crowned LaLiga Santander Champions following the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Spotify Camp Nou on May 20, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 20: Head Coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona acknowledges the supporters after being crowned LaLiga Santander Champions following the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Spotify Camp Nou on May 20, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) /
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Arnau Martinez (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)
Arnau Martinez (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images) /

Last on Xavi’s list of priorities is the right-back position. It’s not hard to see why, as Jules Koundé has filled in pretty well there so far despite it not being where he wants to play. With the addition of Iñigo Martínez at center-back, the position is becoming more congested, and maybe Koundé could be persuaded to move out to the right even more. Julian Araújo is also seemingly liked by the staff, and will be given a chance to show his stuff in the pre-season.

Players like João Cancelo, Juan Foyth, and Benjamin Pavard have all been ruled out or close to it, it appears, for monetary reasons. That, however, is fine by me. I wouldn’t want any of those players if I was Barça, not for the price tag incumbent with them.

Hear me out for just a moment. I have been baffled in recent months by the complete lack of consideration for a good young player that hasn’t been even very seriously considered: Arnau Martínez.

For the life of me, I don’t understand why. The 20-year-old Catalan, right-back for Girona, has everything in a right-back for Barça. Pace, versatility, offensive and defensive ability, a familiarity with the league – and he grew up not 20 kilometers away from Barcelona. In addition, he’s a former La Masia player. Why not take a relatively inexpensive chance on young talent?