Barcelona looking for a leader

Posted Saturday, August 14, 2021 by Marca.com

With the departure of Lionel Messi, Barcelona need someone to step up as a goalscorer and focal point

Griezmann, Dest and Depay

The king is dead, long live the king! Barcelona are already beginning to get used to life without Lionel Messi, but will need to reinvent themselves and find alternatives if they are to remain competitive during the upcoming season.

When Joan Laporta told Ronald Koeman that Messi would no longer be in the Barcelona squad, the Dutchman's reaction was a pragmatic one. He asked him who he thought would score the 30 goals which were guaranteed from the Argentine. What is clear is that another Messi isn't going to be found, and Barcelona don't have time to feel sorry for themselves, they have to find a solution.

The team needs its star players to step forward and take the responsibility which, up until this point, they had been free from. Koeman too, expects an improvement in performance from some of the players he believes will be important in the club's future.

Ultimately, what Barcelona need is a leader to emerge from the dressing room. Someone capable of leading the team on the pitch, as well as with his stats. Given the money handed to, and for, players like Antoine Griezmann and Coutinho, it's time they start living up to the exceptions that made Barcelona pay what they did for them.

The excuse that everything has to go through Messi can no longer be used.

Complete trust in Depay

One player who, given his characteristics and position he plays, should be important to Barcelona this season is Memphis Depay. And Koeman has complete trust in his fellow countryman, especially since they worked together with the Dutch national team.

Since Depay arrived, Koeman has been keen to let him know that a lot is expected from him, and that the coach is also convinced he has what it take to succeed wearing the colours of Barcelona.

Other who are going to be forced to mature are the youngsters that are knocking on the door of the first team. As with Pedri last season, Koeman won't have a problem putting faith in young players, as long as they respond.

But the case of Ilaix Moriba is a difficult one, as the Barcelona coach made it clear that there are youngsters he trusts and that will give him alternative options over the campaign. Players such as Yusuf Demir, Gavi and Nico fall into that bracket.