FC Barcelona – New Year’s Report Cards
By Jim James
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the blog. Bob did a post like this recently, so I’ve decided that I want to do one, too, but for FC Barcelona. You have to had played at least 5 league games for Barca to be eligible for this, enough said, let’s begin!
Ansu Fati: A-
He’s been injured most of the season, but is expected to come back in the next week, and when he’s played he’s been very impressive, as proven in the 3 goals he has in 5 league games, and if he stays healthy, could be a lifeline for the blaugrana. I’m impressed.
Ousmane Dembele: B
Putting his contact talks aside, Dembele has actually been above average for us this year. He’s got involved in the attacks and been a creator of chances. That said, he’s been error prone at times and has been selfish during critical moments, so I have to put him here.
Yusuf Demir: C-
In ways, I feel bad for Yusuf Demir. He played often at the beginning of the season, didn’t do all that well, and is now stuck in the first team on the bench every game doing nothing. He may have also played his last game for Barca, with reports suggesting Xavi hasn’t been impressed and they’re not going to activate the 10m loan to buy option next year.
Ez Abde: B
B just on the fringe of B+, Ez Abde has been an unlikely contributor to Barca. Despite having only 1 goal, he has been a big contributor for his age, especially seeing as he made his barca debut this season. He’s older, but could be important for us until we’re back to full strength.
Sergi Roberto: D+
I didn’t even know he’s played this year. He’s looked just invisible. He’s also out for a few months after a big injury, he’s just better off, I think with leaving.
Riqui Puig: C
He looked really promising until Ronald Koeman took over, now he’s just seen as failed potential, a former wonderkid who just couldn’t make it happen. Now he’s been given a little game time, but hasn’t looked amazing, or at least not on the level he should be at by now. I think Ronald Koeman ruined his career.
Clement Lenglet: C-
Unimpressive this season. He’s played a few matches, sure, but he’s just been invisible, we’ve conceded a lot with him on the pitch, I think it would be in our best interests to just sell him and get his wage off the bill for the haaland deal.
Luuk de Jong: D-
I know he got us the 3 points vs Mallorca, and that’s what stops him from getting an F. He’s been the symbol of throwing in the towel for us this season. He’s looked like a paralysed pigeon for us this year and I’m glad we’re canceling his loan deal.
Philippe Coutinho: C+
I know he’s off to Aston Villa on loan, but he’s still played 12 games. When he’s played he hasn’t done much, but he has made some chances and sealed a couple of games for us. However, he did look promising last season, something that hasn’t carried over.
Sergino Dest: C
I’d get him at a C+ or even B-, if he didn’t miss from 5 yards out two games in a row, vs Real Madrid and Valladolid. He was a perpetrator of offense under Koeman, but has taken a more defensive role under Xavi, and I think it would be in our best interest to sell him for 20m and get Mazraoui instead.
Oscar Mingueza: C
Like Lenglet, he’s been invisible. He’s been played as both a CB and RB this year. However, I think he should also be sacrificed to the Haaland cause. I promise, you won’t even know we sold him.
Jordi Alba: C+
He’s been alright. No big mistakes, a solid contribution to the side. I think that he still has 1-2 more seasons left in the tank at that level before being sold. That being said, he hasn’t done anything special this season, so I can’t put him above this level, unfortunately.
Eric Garcia: D
No. Just no. 2 red cards, a reduction of games under Xavi, and disasterclasses. He needs to go as soon as possible. We lost 3-0 to Benfica with him in our defense, where he didnt make a good tackle all game and got a red card. Most of his games have been like that, but a little better. Doesn’t help his case, though.
Ronald Araujo: B+
He’s our best defender this season, he’s got a few goals, almost got us through to the RO16, and has been an ever-present for us. I do want to keep him. At only 22, he could be the next Diego Godin, who knows?
Memphis Depay: A-
8 goals, although at times he’s Memphis Deoffside. He’s offside so darn much, but I miss him, I’m hoping he can get back to the first team soon. He’s our team’s top scorer, so I feel obligated to give him an A, but he may not be the top scorer for long after Ansu Fati comes back.
Nico Gonzalez: B+
For not getting much game time before this season, he’s been playing a lot, and is increasing his ceiling every game. He has 2 goals, but has contributed more than that, and he is the reason that I am fine with selling FdJ.
Gavi: A-
I remember hearing about him before the season and telling Bob that there’s a kid called Gavi that’s gonna start playing for the senior team this year, I couldn’t have imagined he’d play this much and have this big of an impact on the team. He’s been at the heart of many attacks, he’s only scored once but it was an amazing goal, the individual run followed by a sublime finish gave me Messi flashbacks. If he continues on this path for Barca, we’ll be just fine in midfield.
Gerard Pique: C+
Despite having a C+, Pique has actually been alright. Although he is guilty of lacking the explosiveness, quickness, and awareness he had a few years ago which does dock him a lot of points, he has scored a couple times and done a solid job at the back, even if it’s not as good as Araujo.
Frenkie de Jong: C
He’s just been invisible. I didn’t know he’s played so much. Once Pedri returns, you’d have to say that he won’t play as much. You’d think he’s already partly out the exit door, and he’d raise critical funds and free up considerable wages in a Haaland bid.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: B-
Despite making an error here and there, MATS has salvaged his reputation recently, keeping a clean sheet vs Mallorca and only conceding one vs 2nd in the league Sevilla. He’s alright, but definitely not one of the best in the world anymore, however.
Sergi Busquets: C+
Our most played player, Busi’s been average for us. He’s made a considerable decline since the Iniesta and Xavi days, but has shown he can lead a midfield, with players like Gavi and Nico shining under his mentorship, which does get him points. Other than that though, he’s just been meh.
That’s it, thank you for reading. Happy Friday! I wish you all a great weekend and until next time!