The winners of the La Liga, the Spanish domestic league, for the last two seasons, Barcelona have been sedate this summer. They have not been linked with too many players in the transfer window and have completed the big name signings of Dennis Suarez and Andre Gomes. However, Luis Enrique will be searching for more super stars who can challenge the current squad for their places in the starting XI before the transfer window comes to an end.
But a new story has surfaced that will put Barcelona in an unfamiliar spot. Playing for a club like Barcelona is a dream for many footballer so it is not often that the Catalan giants are seen fighting to sign or keep hold of a player. But recent reports have revealed that Italian champions Juventus are looking to snatch one of the most important players away from the Camp Nou.
The Serie A side are set to lose Paul Pogba, their midfield sensation to Manchester United in a word record transfer this summer and are already looking at alternatives for the French star. And it is now understood that Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano might be the primary target for the Turin side. Though it will not be easy to price the Argentine away from one of the best clubs in Europe, there is every chance that a switch might happen and here is why Barcelona cannot afford it.
The style that is so popular at Camp Nou needs all 11 players, including the goal keeper to be comfortable with the ball. They need players who can hold the ball and find path breaking passes even from the back and their centre halves have to be good enough to find a player even under pressure. Mascherano provides all this and even more as he also adds certain mettle to the back line at Barcelona that allows them to defend even the best teams in Europe. The little Argentine, though is not huge, is a strong player who is not afraid to put his body on the line. He is a player who makes crunching tackles regularly in a game and he gets them right most of the time. At his age, he is not too quick but he has a great eye for the game that helps him read the situation in front of him.
He also has a great understanding with his team-mates at the club and is a player who has been integral to the troubles at Barcelona since him move from Liverpool more than a few years ago. He is also versatile and can play as a defensive midfielder, a position where he rose into fame with his time in England. He has vast experience in Europe as well and is easily one of the best defenders in the modern game. The Spanish giants will find it hard to replace him when he ends his career and they will not need that problem to arise this summer. They should do all they can to keep hold of Mascherano and if they cannot, this summer might be a long one is search of a suitable defender for Luis Enrique.
Do you think Barcelona should let the Argentine go this summer?
