Barcelona faces the very real prospect of starting the 2020-21 season without Lionel Messi.
The Argentine forward is desperate to leave after losing faith in the Camp Nou sporting project under the club’s unpopular president, Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Bartomeu is willing to step down if Messi changes his mind, but the six-time Ballon d’Or winner reportedly has no intention of making a U-turn.
The 33-year-old did not show up for coronavirus tests on Sunday morning as this would have compromised his claim that his contract has been unilaterally terminated.
Messi believes he is a free agent and wants to meet Pep Guardiola again at Manchester City.
Barça fans are understandably disheartened at the prospect of losing the best player in club history, although the vast majority of them can understand their decision.
They don’t blame Messi for feeling like him, he blames the board firmly.
Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman now faces the unenviable task of building From Barcelona post-Messi team.
The Dutchman spoke to Messi earlier this month and informed the legendary forward that he would continue to be the main man of the team.
Reports suggested that Koeman also told Messi that “your squad privileges are over”, although it is difficult to understand why the Dutch manager would choose to shoot himself in the foot when uttering those words.
In any case, it seems that Messi has played his last game with Barça, and Koeman will now be planning his life without the club star.
So what would Barcelona’s starting eleven look like in 2020-21? Let’s take a closer look …
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Possibly the best goalkeeper in the world during the 2019-20 season, Marc-Andre ter Stegen stays at the Camp Nou.
Yes, he may have conceded eight goals against Bayern Munich recently, but how many of them were his fault?
Right back: Nelson Semedo
Would Barcelona prefer a better right-back? Probably yes. Will they get one in time for the start of the new season? Probably not.
Perhaps Joao Cancelo will move in the opposite direction when Messi completes his transfer to Man City. If not, Semedo will continue on the right side.
Central defender: Gerard Piqué
Gerard Piqué, linked to a surprising move with the newly promoted English Fulham earlier this month, is one of the players Koeman wants to keep at Camp Nou.
The 33-year-old, who said he would be the first to leave if the club so desired after the 8-2 loss to Bayern, will remain at the heart of Barça’s defense.
Central defender: Clement Lenglet
Piqué will be accompanied by Clement Lenglet or Eric García, who is expected to move to Barcelona from City this summer.
Lenglet, who arrived from Sevilla in 2018, may initially receive the go-ahead from Koeman.
Left back: David Alaba
Now, in the final year of his contract with Bayern, David Alaba would be a fantastic acquisition for Barcelona.
The 28-year-old would replace Jordi Alba on the left, whom Koeman has considered surplus of requirements.
Midfield: Frenkie de Jong
We only saw glimpses of Frenkie de Jong in his prime last season. The Dutch midfielder, who was exceptional for Ajax during the 2018-19 season, has much more to offer.
Yet at 23, De Jong’s best years are ahead of him. Koeman can help bring out the best in him.
Midfield: Miralem Pjanic
Miralem Pjanic will be disappointed to learn that he will probably not be joining Messi at the Camp Nou during the next season.
The former Juventus star, who joined Barça this summer in a deal in which Arthur Melo moved the other way, could have formed an excellent understanding on the pitch with the left-handed wizard.
Regardless, Pjanic could become a great signing for the Catalan team.
Midfield: Philippe Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho rubbed salt on Barcelona’s wounds by scoring two goals against his parent club in Bayern Munich’s 8-2 win.
He then lifted the Champions League trophy with the German club.
His days at the Camp Nou seemed to be over, but the arrival of Koeman and the departure of Messi could change everything for the Brazilian.
From left: Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembélé is now at the last chance show in Barcelona.
The French winger is a great talent, but a combination of injuries, inconsistency and a lack of professionalism has put his future in doubt.
Unless Dembele produces the products this season, it will be sold in 2021.
Right: Antoine Griezmann
Koeman doesn’t want to play Griezmann on the wing, but for the purposes of this 4-3-3 formation, that’s where we put him.
The World Cup winner is another player who could thrive when the pressure to perform alongside Messi is removed.
Center-forward: Lautaro Martinez
Barcelona’s number one transfer target and the man who could be responsible for the impossible task of scoring the goals that Messi once did, Lautaro Martínez will have to start running at the Camp Nou if he signs.
The Inter Milan forward’s goal record is not very similar to Messi’s (he has scored 30 goals in 84 games for the Nerazzurri), but he hopes to improve his account with services from players like Pjanic and Griezmann.
Here’s a graph – for @Abdulrasak on Twitter – how Barcelona’s first choice XI could look this season …
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