Barcelona have been surprisingly quite underwhelming this transfer season. Following the poor season last campaign, the Catalans were expected to pull off a Manchester City-like feat this summer getting in the hottest prospects from around the world. However, not only has the new manager, Ernesto Valverde, hardly managed to lure his targets in, he is in danger of losing players.
Following the saga of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, it is now their under the cosh midfielder Sergi Roberto, who is being linked with a move away from Nou Camp. If reports are to be believed, then the La Masia academy product is being eyed by Premier League giants Manchester United and Roberto’s long-term admiration of Jose Mourinho might well make it happen.
Despite having Paul Pogba in the side last season, Jose Mourinho needed some brilliant play from Ander Herrera alongside him in the midfield to take the Red Devils home in the crucial games. And that has encouraged the Portuguese gaffer to go for a similar kind of option this summer with Roberto in his sights.
The 25-year-old Spanish international has had a poor season with Barcelona the last term though it was mostly because of Luis Enrique’s decision to shift him to a right-back’s role. The Spaniard had started the season with just one right back in Aleix Vidal, and his recurring injuries had forced the manager to resort to Roberto and Rafinha time and again.
And although Roberto has been calamitous in his defensive role, his dribbling and ball distributing qualities from the centre of the field is unquestionable. Alongside Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta, the midfielder looked quite dangerous last season with his terrific vision in the attacking third. Despite having to play in a difficult position on the flank, Roberto managed to provide seven assists.
However, the arrival of Nelson Semedo in that role has put his place in jeopardy now. Barcelona have options like Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Rakitic, Andre Gomes, Rafinha and Dennis Suarez in their midfield, which leaves little space for Roberto to ply his trade.
And the player hasn’t hidden his desire to leave Nou Camp if he doesn’t see getting regular chances there. United have made a major upgrade in their midfield by getting in Nemanja Matic last week, who is expected to do the job much better than Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick. Though at 178cm, Roberto isn’t ideally the kind of midfielder Mourinho prefers in his squad, he could definitely bring in some creative touch.
