For the first time in quite some time, putting together the starting eleven for FC Barcelona will be a headache for the coach. A blessed problem for Xavi Hernández, who will have a huge range of possibilities in all positions. The only certainty is in the goal, where Marc-André ter Stegen remains indisputable. For the rest, the high level to which the new additions have performed in the preseason and the variety of resources in each row make Barça's starting lineup an unknown in the week in which the League begins.
In defense there are two new faces: Andreas Christensen and Jules Koundé. The former missed the staging of the new Barça at the Spotify Camp Nou last Sunday, in Dani Alves's thrashing of Pumas (6-0), due to cervical problems. However, he was of the game in all the matches played by the Barça team on the American tour and showed a high level, conceding only two goals in the game against Juventus. Koundé was able to participate in the Joan Gamper party in which it was his debut with his new shirt. Although it is not a sufficient sample to draw conclusions, his footballing quality is indisputable after his great seasons at Sevilla and his international matches with France.
However, the "old guard" behind Barça is reluctant to give in to the pressure of the newcomers. Ronald Araújo seems indisputable, the support of the team's defensive framework, while Gerard Piqué enjoyed good minutes at Gamper. Eric García, who started against Pumas, has always had Xavi's full confidence and showed great rapport with Christensen when they formed a pair during the preseason. Five names for two positions (unless the coach ventures to have a line of three), all of them with sufficient guarantees to claim their place in the eleven.
Competitiveness multiplies in midfield and rises exponentially up front. To form the trio of midfielders that Xavi usually has on the pitch are Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong (if he doesn't end up leaving in this transfer market), Pedri, Gavi, Nico, newcomers Franck Kessie and Pablo Torre and a Miralem Pjanic that could be recovered for the cause by the one from Terrassa. Busquets and Kessie have passed through the pivot position this preseason. The captain is running as a starter in what could be his last year at the club. Kessie has shown his physical display and his ability to arrive in games like the one against Olot, so anchoring him as the only pivot might not be the best option.
The problem is that ahead, in the two positions reserved for the interiors, there is saturation. Pedri uncorked the bottle of good football in the match against Pumas, with two beautifully made goals and a great rapport with Robert Lewandowski. It is difficult to think that one of the midfield positions is not reserved for him. On the other, Gavi, Nico, Kessie or De Jong will fight, since Pjanic starts from far behind in the title dispute after an almost blank season and Pablo Torre is one more bet for the future. In the Gamper the chosen one was Gavi, but De Jong entered and left his mark on the match with a goal. More problems (in the good sense of the word) for Xavi.
Above, the possibilities border on infinity. In the bands the names of Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Ousmane Dembélé or, even, that of Abde appear if he does not finally go out on loan. Fati seems fully recovered from his injury and left good performances against Inter Miami, where he scored a goal, or in the classic. Raphinha and Dembélé, for their part, were stellar during the tour of the United States. The Brazilian entered the team on the right foot and understood perfectly with his attacking teammates, while the Frenchman was, without a doubt, Barça's best player of the pre-season.
For the forward, the advantaged is Lewandowski, star signing of the team that scored his first goal in his new stadium in the Gamper and gave two dream assists. His presence could even displace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Memphis Depay to the wings, which further reduces Ferran's chances of entering the eleven with the assiduity of last season.
Be that as it may, Xavi's puzzle is more of a blessing than a problem. He has the pieces to form a very competitive lineup and enough depth to rest his players without the level of the team suffering. It remains to be seen the possible incorporation of one more new face before the closing of the market and the closing of the exit chapter, but the new Barça has the willpower to fight again at the top of Spanish and European football.
