According to the Spanish news outlet Sport, Barcelona are ready to make a move for Raphael Guerreiro this summer. The Portuguese left-back currently plies his trade for the Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and also played a very important in his national side’s triumph in the recently concluded Nations League.
The 25-year-old full-back showed decent form in the last term and played a vital role for the yellow brigade in their chase for the Bundesliga title. However, he got four goals in six matches in the Champions League, which has been a performance worthy enough to bring him under the limelight with the Catalan giants looking to bring him in as a backup for their influential left-back Jordi Alba.
Barcelona have not been able to turn on the heat in the Champions League last season despite making it to the semi-final, where Liverpool showed them the exit door. With the new season coming up, the Blaugrana would look to bring in players to revamp the side and make amends for their past mistakes. Raphael Guerreiro could be an excellent acquisition for Ernesto Valverde’s side indeed.
Right Man To Replace Alba?
Jordi Alba has not only been an influential player for the Blaugrana over the years, but his ability to defend with all his heart and turn defence into attack in a matter of minutes has also made him one of the best left-backs in La Liga as well as Europe. However, with the Spaniard already turning thirty this year, Guerreiro can come into the side as a viable backup for him and also to replace him in the future.
The Portuguese left-back made 32 appearances for Dortmund in the last term and finished the season with six goals and six assists to his name. His darting runs down the left-hand side and deliver the ball into the box to set up his teammates proved to be very handy for his team. Guerreiro is also known for his ability to score crucial goals, which makes him a very competent player to replace Alba in the Barcelona lineup in the future.
Good Fit For Valverde?
Ernesto Valverde has been heavily criticised for his side’s inability to defend big leads in the Champions League. Despite leading his team to defend their La Liga title successfully, the Spanish manager has been criticised for his lack of creativity in team management. He has also been called out for using players like Philippe Coutinho out of position, which seems to have affected the Brazilian’s confidence to a great extent while playing for the Catalan club.
With the situation being this, it is essential for Valverde to add new players to the side and use them to good effect to help Barcelona turn on the heat in the next term in all competitions. Guerrero could be an excellent inclusion to his side with his ability to rack up a good work rate against even the toughest of oppositions.
