A NEW era has begun at Barcelona, following the recent appointment of Quique Setien after the sacking of Ernesto Valverde.
The possession-hungry 61-year-old is tasked with helping the Catalan giants reclaim their identity, as well as their crown as European champions.
How Barcelona could line up after a summer of recruiting
Barcelona have been linked with a host of Premier League starsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Despite winning two league titles under Valverde, fans were disgruntled over the style of play – with the former Athletic Bilbao coach placing less emphasis on keeping the ball.
Champions League semi-final collapses against Roma and Liverpool definitely didn’t help his cause, and he was brutally dismissed last month.
Setien was unable to sign any players in January, but is sure to be hoping for a fresh summer war-chest to fully put his stamp on the team – while re-finding their philosophical ideals.
And with Barca having recently been linked with big-name trio of Premier League stars, SunSport take a look at how the Blaugrana could line up next season after delivering three key signings.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the perfect man to play between the sticks for Setien, with the German so adept with the ball at his feet – he will offer a perfect base to begin attacks and recycle seemingly endless possession.
With the former Real Betis manager tasked with bringing back the identity of the team, having as many accomplished La Masia graduates in the side as possible will make a good start.
Full-backs Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba have had the Barcelona education and understand their traditional, Cruyffian way of playing.
Centre-back Gerard Pique can still be a pillar of the defence as they play out from the back – helping to nurture young French centre-back Clement Lenglet, with Samuel Umtiti able to deputise too.
The midfield is possibly the most important part of Barcelona’s trademark 4-3-3 formation.
Although Sergio Busquets is still able to play at the base, he no longer has Andres Iniesta and Xavi to bounce the ball off of.
Frenkie de Jong looks very promising to one side, and if they can pull off a mooted £60million move for Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish, the Englishman could be deployed on the other.
The 24-year-old has remarkably still never played for England, but his technical gifts would make him fit right in at the Camp Nou.
Moving into the front-three, Barcelona are being made to sweat on Lionel Messi’s future.
Despite a high-profile rift with sporting director Eric Abidal, the club will be hopeful of appeasing the 32-year-old and getting more quality years out of him on their right flank.
Desperate for a striker, with the ageing Luis Suarez missing through injury, Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be an ideal fit to bang in the goals for this dominant team.
On the Gunners skipper, Abidal recently told Sport: “I know him [Aubameyang].
“He has a profile that has depth. He is important, and in his team he is decisive.
“It is good to bring this profile of player who can be in the market and can help you. We’ll see what will happen.”
Then, there is Adama Traore.
The Wolves winger has shown incredible improvement under Nuno Espirito Santo this season at Molineux.
Mixing explosive pace and trickery with an increased productivity, the 24-year-old could improve any team.
And having left Barcelona under a cloud at the age of 19, Traore could return with a point to prove to the club that gave him his football education.
Villa skipper Jack Grealish is on the Spanish giant’s radarCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Traore came through Barcelona’s esteemed academyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
With Setien at the helm, this team could help blast past the Spanish opposition, and reclaim European dominance.
They currently sit three points behind Real Madrid in the La Liga title race.
And Setien’s men also slumped to a 1-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Bilbao last night – looking in much need of reinforcements…
Barcelona crashed to defeat at Athletic Bilbao last nightCredit: EPA
Lionel Messi ‘snubs pre-match Barcelona huddle and then had a frosty exchange with Gerard Pique ahead of Valencia clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
