Catalan giants will boast one of the greatest front lines of all time with Suarez…
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It looks to the world like Liverpool’s brilliant but controversial striker Luis Suarez will complete an £80m move to Barcelona in the coming days, reports the Daily Mail.
If the proposed move does indeed go through, Barcelona look like they’ll every chance of mounting a serious challenge on La Liga and the Champions League.
Here’s how Luis Enrique’s men could line up after a summer of excited transfers…
GK) Cladio Bravo
Young German keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has signed to replace departing veteran Victor Valdes, but Chilean Claudio Bravo has also arrived from Real Sociedad – and the 31-year-old is expected to be the no.1. Young ter Stegen though will likely take the spot long-term, and will hope to match Barcelona legend Valdes over the coming decade, who is leaving after winning 21 trophies at the Nou Camp.
DR) Dani Alves
Still one of the best fullbacks in the world, Dani Alves’s barnstorming runs up the right flank are key to Barcelona’s style, as he consistently gets to the byline and pulls the ball back for his forwards.
DC) Gerard Pique
With Carles Puyol leaving, Pique’s role as the leader of the defence will be heightened. The Spaniard is excellent on the ball, but he’ll need to pick up his form after a terrible World Cup showing.
DC) Jeremy Mathieu
With PSG having signed David Luiz for £50m, Marquinhos was a big target for the Catalan giants, but his manager Laurent Blanc has confirmed that he won’t be sold – meaning Valencia’s Jeremy Mathieu is the prime target to replace Puyol at the back.
DL) Jordi Alba
The marauding left-back will be hoping to improve on last season’s shaky defensive performances.
DMC) Sergio Busquets
With the wealth of attacking talent in this likely side, Busquets role as the midfield anchor will be of heightened importance.
MC) Andres Iniesta
Xavi is ageing, and Cesc Fabregas has been sold – and with Alex Song potentially being shown the door as well, Iniesta’s role as part of the midfield three will be of vital importance. Expect him to sit deeper next term, now that Croatian Ivan Rakitic has signed.
MC) Ivan Rakitic
The £14m midfield man seems like a real bargain for the Catalans. He reached double figures for both goals and assists last season, and he’ll probably be given the licence to bomb forward and join in with the three world-class attackers.
AMR) Luis Suarez
The £80m striker, when he returns from his four month ban, will likely be used on the right of the mouthwatering front three, in a similar position to the one he plays for Uruguay. He has the talent and versatility to perform the role with great aplomb however, although it will be interesting to see how he deals with not being ‘The man man’ – with Messi surely to be used centrally.
AML) Neymar
Neymar’s lighting up the World Cup in Brazil right now, and the prodigal wing-forward will hope to step up from his promising, but at times underwhelming debut season in Spain.
FC) Lionel Messi
Injuries and apparent poor form curtailed Messi’s season last time out – but he still managed to score 41 goals. With Neymar and Suarez flanking him, Barcelona have potentially the most exciting strike force of all time on their books.
