So, Zinedine Zidane is back at the helm of Real Madrid. Personally, I don’t know what to think of it but one question I would revel in asking if given the opportunity is, how will he want to improve on his last success? On current evidence, he really wouldn’t need to any more.

They do say never go back but things are not looking good for Real Madrid and Zidane could be forgiven for returning for the club he left 10 months ago. The former French legend is walking into a mess, a team that he will hardly even recognise. Like a parent who has returned home from a prolonged holiday only to find that their kids have ran riot under the supervision of a couple childminders who were simply not up to the job.

Florentino Perez has rolled the dice again. For the third time this season – after the torrid tenure of Julen Lopetegui and the short lived appointment of Santiago Solari, a man who oversaw probably the clubs worst two weeks in their decorated and rich history – Perez has appointed a new manager. Although there had been rumours of a return, this is an appointment nobody even saw coming especially after his success 10 months ago.

Zidane left Madrid having delivered success that is seen an unprecedented in the modern era. Those days of retaining your European Cup crown were long gone. Nobody had even achieved that feat in the Champions League era. However, Real Madrid overcame that curse in 3 seasons – a remarkable and somewhat an unthinkable achievement – also with the major help of one Cristiano Ronaldo, a player who is no longer there. To put it simply, Zidane won more Champions League trophies than he spent years in charge at the helm. A feat certain managers can only dream of.

But all of that is in the past now, Zidane has a massive job on his hands for a squad that is in need of major surgery in all aspects. Both on the pitch and off it too. After all his success at the club, even winning the La Liga and the Copa Del Rey along the way as well, how can Zidane – personally – build on that amazing success he brought ten months ago. This is a similar squad to the one he left behind which makes you wonder the sole reason for his return is that he WILL be backed in the Summer transfer window, being promised a hefty load of cash to inject some fresh faces, ideas and quality to a squad that is rapidly losing its value.

After Zidane’s departure, things started to unravel, the whole club digging a whole that they would ultimately find it hard to get out of. The appointment of Lopetegui was always deemed to fail as a result of the uncertainty in which he was dismissed from his role as Spain boss before last summers World Cup – becoming Real Madrid coach during preparations for such a prestigious tournament, you could only feel sympathetic towards the Spanish FA who felt his appointment in such a pivotal period for the whole country was the wrong way to go about starting the competition. The European Super Cup was surrendered to neighbours Atletico Madrid in Lopetegui’s first game – a real chance for him to stake his claim as Real Madrid boss. Things only got worse from there. Lopetegui’s reign was brought to an abrupt end in October but the problems continued.

Solari was appointed soon after, but even he couldn’t turn around the clubs fortunes. His short tenure soon went from bad to worse in just one week suffering back-to-back defeats against El Clasico rivals Barcelona and then to Ajax in their own humble abode – the Bernabeu – succumbing to a 4-1 defeat. Tortured, humiliated, outclassed and ripped apart as Ajax became the fourth team in a row to win in Madrid’s own back yard – ending their long reign as European champions.

If Zidane can find a way turn all this mess around, then he has every right to be deemed as something of a miracle worker considering the current state the club find themselves in. You can sense that Zidane is aware of the mess, you can even argue he’s been aware of it since his last days before he resigned ten months ago. It was the reason of not being backed to replace Ronaldo and strengthen the squad in his own image that he felt it was time he moved on, but now all seems fair and well. This summer will see a major overhaul and injection within the Real Madrid camp, and a huge number of decisions for Zidane to make.

The future of Gareth Bale for a start, will he still be a Real Madrid player come next season? How about Isco? A man that has been forced out of the Real Madrid team by Solari, will almost certainly be back in the first team picture now that Zidane has returned. The Spanish maestro was just as important to Zidane as Cristiano Ronaldo back then and will be wanting to impress the returning Frenchman once again.

What about recruitment? We can pretty much predict who Zidane will be targeting come the end of the season. Eden Hazard? Has Chelsea’s superstar been swayed by the appointment of Zidane? What about Kylian Mbappe or even Neymar? We clearly saw their reactions to the incredible disappointment at the hands of Manchester United as they surrendered a 2-0 aggregate lead at the Parc de Princes. They might be seeking pastures new at the Bernabeu with the lure of playing for such a popular and heroic figure too good to turn down. Paris Saint-Germain might not be the place to fulfil their lofty ambitions of becoming the best in the world or even claiming the Ballon d’or.

Real Madrid are a club that needs someone to instil some belief and illusion – a sense of hope and that fear factor to its faithful fans and of course the players. Zidane may just be the man once again to sprinkle that bit of magic. One factor that will be tested in Zidane’s second spell is who can he rely on now that Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer there to bail him out on occasions. How will the Frenchman cope with not having someone as powerful as Ronaldo in the dressing room, someone to spur the players on the pitch when the manager can’t, a major reason as to why Real Madrid must be thorough and astute in their recruitment this summer. Signing a player who can strike the fear in the opponent even before kick-off – that’s the kind of player Real Madrid need right now. Someone like Neymar, like Mbappe, like Eden Hazard or even Paulo Dybala. Whether Zidane will successfully capture these kind of targets remains to be seen.

Zidane always had a remarkable vision as a player and he wasn’t blind to the issues that lurked beneath the surface at the club either. What the Frenchman achieved at the club was sensational, but on too many occasions they were criticised for not playing the style of football that was required and desired from the Real Madrid faithful – being over-reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo bailing them out of difficult situations. Now, Zidane has the opportunity to right those insignificant wrongs – as they may seem at face value – and try and build a team that is performing the beautiful game week-in, week-out, getting fans off seats and overwhelming the opposition. That was the Real Madrid we were accustomed to watching back when Zidane himself was gracing the Santiago Bernabeu.

Nonetheless, its a shrewd move to return back to the Bernabeu considering the circumstances, with the whole club aware of how grim the atmosphere and aura was without Zidane. Over the next few months will be key to how Zidane plans to move the club forward once again. Does he make changes to the whole squad? Will he still continue with the backbone of the team after the summer? The likes of Sergio Ramos, Modric, Marcelo and Benzema? Or does he revamp and refresh the whole set up? These are questions that will certainly arise over the next few months. Zidane has indeed wasted no time with the £47.2million pound capture of FC Porto’s promising Eder Militao in a deal which will potentially see him at the club till 2025 – an indication that Zidane is already looking ahead to the future.

We’re all aware of how stubborn and controlling Florentino Perez can be, as he has exerted on numerous occasions over the last decade. Whether Zidane can be given the freedom to do what he sees fit remains to be seen. Managing Real Madrid is an unforgiving business at times but the fact that Zidane has risen out of solitude to manage the club once again shows he trusts in his own ability to take Real Madrid back to the top of European football as well as in Spain. Onwards and upwards for Real Madrid? We’ll see.

No pressure Zinedine.

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Ajax midfield prodigy Frenkie De Jong who will join the club once the summer window opens on July 1st. 

The 21-year-old will cost the La Liga leaders an initial 75m euros (£65m) – making him the most expensive Eredivise player in history – plus another 11m euros (£9.5m), agreeing a five year deal until the summer of 2024.

De Jong, whose other suitors for his for his signature included Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, has been considered on numerous occasions to be one of the hottest young prospects in world football.

Frenkie De Jong initially broke through the youth ranks at Willem II – even though many have claimed De Jong as a product of Ajax’s famous academy – joining Ajax for a fee of £250,000 in the summer of 2015, but was loaned back to Willem for one season. He then went on to spend one year in Ajax’s youth academy before being promoted to the first team towards the 2016/17 season, appearing in the final few minutes against Manchester United in Ajax’s Europa League final defeat. Since his debut that day, De Jong has never looked back.

The youngster made his international debut against Peru back in June, going on to win five more caps for his country putting in a fine and assured performance against world champions France registering the most touches and passes out of anyone on the pitch – only a small indication of his unerring abilities.

Upon the signing of De Jong, Barcelona’s club website described the midfielder as:

“a polyvalent player with an excellent reading of the game and ability to provide the killer pass.”

Remind you of any Barcelona legends?

If you’ve watched any of Frenkie De Jong, you would see why ex-Barcelona player and legend Xavi has been raving about the player for a long while now. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu was determined to get the deal done under the noses of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City – a deal which will see Frenkie De Jong earn a whopping 16m euros in wages.

The obvious question now is whether Frenkie De Jong could be worth the investment. Well, if his performances over the past year both domestically and in Europe are anything to go by, then Barcelona may have secured themselves a real gem.

Well, Frenkie De Jong offers both quality and versatility, two of the most valuable traits in the modern game. This is a player who has been exciting all with his ability to roam about in between defence and midfield. De Jong has be utilised in many positions for Ajax this season; whether its in defensive midfield – keeping things ticking over in front of the back line – in a midfield two pivot within a 4-2-3-1 set up or even at centre-back if there are a lack of options at centre-half. Frenkie De Jong has been a trusted lieutenant for Ajax coach Erik ten Hag this season, performing remarkably wherever he has been asked to play.

There is no doubt about it, Frenkie De Jong is a signing further reflecting of Barcelona’s desire to keep in line with their hallmark traditions of how to play football. The midfield signings of Paulinho and Arturo Vidal – sturdy additions, yes – have been a far-cry from the kind of attractive players and identity that you would associate with Barcelona. The arrival of Arthur Melo from Brazilian outfit Gremio in the summer, and his subsequent success in midfield, has slowly and assuredly placed Barcelona back in line with those traditions.

The signing of Frenkie De Jong takes Barcelona back down memory lane a bit towards the kind of player the purists amongst the clubs supporters and hierarchy desire and long to see. De Jong is the closest you can get to a long term understudy to Barca’s midfield enforcer Sergio Busquests. However, Busquests certainly has a few years left in him yet, but it doesn’t mean De Jong will not get the opportunity to learn from the best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8nRqoy3IWA&t=15s

As well as midfield, De Jong’s ability to carry the ball out from the back would be an attractive proposition at centre-back when Barcelona are faced with much weaker sides who will likely park the bus. Deploying De Jong alongside Pique or Samuel Umtiti would almost be like having an extra man in midfield and will certainly hand Barcelona the advantage if they ever need to play an even more offensive game. However, considering the amount of centre-backs Barcelona have available to them, it will be unlikely that De Jong would be used there and he has stated in the past, the deep-lying playmaker role is where he feel he is at his best.

De Jong may not take his place in the line-up as soon as he joins the club in July. However, he will have a major part to play for the future which is further reflected in the investment and eagerness Barcelona have poured unto his securing his signature. Sergio Busquets will be 31 at the start of next season, and De Jong will be the obvious choice to anchor the midfield when Busquets requires a rest. It is very clear though, that Barca see him as the natural heir to Sergio Busquets’ throne. Similar to the Spanish international, De Jong possesses flawless vision, technical skills, ability on the ball and that wonderful knack of splitting defences with a telling pass like something out of the parting of the Red Sea.

Liverpool midfielder Gini Winaljdum gave a telling assessment of his international team-mate, stating that Ronald Koeman’s decision to base his midfield around De Jong’s abilities – the principle reason for the Netherlands’s recent resurgence.

“With his dribbles he always ensures there is a good connection from defence to midfield and from midfield to attack.” 

“He is always able to create space because he is a) always available and b) with his actions he creates many situations.”

“He forces opponents to choose, they have to come out of position, lose their marker, which can automatically make space or give us a free man.”

“With Frenkie, I can play much more in the possession, so that in certain situations I also get close to the opponent’s goal.”

“Frenkie is so good”

Indeed, De Jong is so good, in fact, that he could just easily play in a more offensively minded role alongside Busquets, Arthur Melo, or Ivan Rakitic either in the 4-4-2 that Valverde commonly utilises from time to time or Barcelona’s traditional 4-3-3 set-up – playing either in Busquets’ anchor midfield role or on both sides of Busquets. De Jong’s excellent dribbling abilities and a keen eye for the impossible pass, he has occasionally been deployed as an attacking midfielder – the no.10 role – in the past, even drawing comparisons to Barcelona legend Iniesta and Deco. He could, certainly, be deployed in that role, but with Lionel Messi and Coutinho fully capable of playing that role, it does seem unlikely.

Nonetheless, De Jong still has plenty to work on, but at his tender age of 21, he is already looking like the complete player. His arrival at Barcelona in the summer may just be the time he takes his game to another level learning from one of the greatest players ever to grace the game. Barcelona sure have made a sound investment for years to come.

In Frenkie De Jong, we are looking at the future of Barcelona and Dutch football.

It may be uneasy seeing Cristiano Ronaldo without a Real Madrid shirt on this season, and instead replacing it with a Juventus jersey for the foreseeable future, but that’s the reality of the game right now after such an intriguing and captivating summer of transfers. Despite all the doom and gloom surrounding Real Madrid and the aura around the club at the thought of losing a living club legend, who could blame Cristiano Ronaldo for wanting a new challenge, and going for pastures new. They sometimes say the grass ain’t always greener but for Ronaldo, that isn’t the case, he’s certainly picturing another set of grass he could conquer and Juventus may just be the ideal club for him to overcome.

The 33-year-old superstar hit an astonishing 450 career goals in nine seasons in Madrid, helping the club along the way to secure two La-Liga titles and four Champions league crowns in the last 5 of those 9 years. A remarkable feat for a player who has enjoyed such an illustrious career, lets not forget his time at Manchester United also where he was also seen in such high regard as he is at the Santiago Bernabeu. A man with a natural tendency to conjure up magical pieces of brilliance and moments of sheer class. A huge loss even for a club of Real Madrid’s stature.

Enough of the legendary man, much of the concern within the Real Madrid camp will centre around the idea of replacing Ronaldo and filling a massive gaping hole with the famous number 7 shirt vacant for the time being. Fans have been clinging on to hope that Real Madrid would recruit another galactico to compensate for the loss of Ronaldo but with the La Liga transfer window well and truly closed, those hopes and dreams have become a mere illusion. Much had been made of a dream potential deal for either of Paris Saint Germain’s starlets Neymar and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe – ideal successors to Cristiano Ronaldo’s vacated throne along with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. Although any potential deal for either of those three superstars may have to wait for next summer.

Whatever happens though, whether or not Real Madrid do get the dream opportunity of signing either Kylian Mbappe or Neymar, new coach Julen Lopetegui will be tasked with rebuilding this Real Madrid side who’s Champions League triumph – third in a row – surely took their third placed finish in La Liga and early exits in the domestic cup competitions to what could have been below-par season, to a special one. Though, it is a project Lopetegui is looking forward to, “Reinventing the team without Cristiano Ronaldo is an exciting challenge” he stated in the summer.

Lopetegui may not have to worry about the loss of Ronaldo at all with the players at his disposal. Karim Benzema may be on his last chance saloon at the club with many expecting him to have departed this summer, though Lopetegui is keeping faith in the former French international, constantly seen as the perfect foil for Ronaldo in previous seasons, it will be interesting to see how he can perform without the help of his former teammate. With two goals in the 4-1 victory over Leganes, the second a real poachers effort, Benzema is already showing he’s still got what it takes to lead the line at the Bernabeu. Lets not forget how much of a loyal and major asset he has been to the club during his nine years at the Bernabeu.

Alongside Benzema, is Welsh superstar Gareth Bale who will now be seen as the main man at the Santiago Bernabeu now that Ronaldo has left. The question that arises for Bale will be whether he can keep fit throughout the season and become the player that Madrid have hoped, for such a long while. No doubt about it Bale, has achieved so much at the Bernabeu already, but now without Ronaldo, can Bale now win points on his own just as much as Ronaldo did? Can he take up the habit of producing magical moments on a weekly basis? A injury-free season will give him every opportunity to.

What about the Spanish maestro Isco, a wonderful player to watch when he’s in the mood, building the team around Isco will surely be Lopetegui’s aim for the future. Isco though, is another player who has only been one the cusp of the Real Madrid squad but will find his fortunes transformed now that Lopetegui is the man at the helm. The former Spanish coach is a huge fan of Isco and deployed the former Malaga playmaker as his main attacking linchpin throughout his reign managing the Spanish national side as well as at Under-21 level.

The loss of Cristiano Ronaldo so far, looks as though it may not be bad as it has seemed all summer. 3 wins from 3 for the Champions League winners so far in La Liga soon after their catastrophic collapse against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super cup and 10 goals scored – although it may be too early to get excited – fans may already be asking the question; “Ronaldo who?”

Though some fans may still be feeling the loss of CR7, one player looking to step out of the shadows and fulfill his undoubted potential, a player we already have become accustomed to on may occasions over the past two years, and who just might be finally finding his place the first 11 is Spanish wonderkid Marco Asensio.

Born in Palma, Majorca, Balearic Islands to a Dutch mother and Spanish father. His mother tragically died to cancer when he was 15 years old. Asensio has endured a steady progression into Real Madrid’s star-studded squad. Plying his trade in Mallorca where he started out as a youngster, he was then scouted by both Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2013/14 while making his debut for the Mallorca reserves in the Segunda Division.

After some impressive performances, Asensio was rewarded with a permanent call up to the first team squad, scoring his first senior goal in March 2014 in a 2-0 home win against CD Tenerife. Later in November Asensio was snapped up by Real Madrid, signing a six-year deal for a fee of around £3million pounds which shall we say has been a real bargain by the Spanish giants. After a full pre-season in 2015, Asensio was then loaned out to Espanyol where he enjoyed a fruitful spell at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat stadium ending his time with 4 goals and 12 assists in 37 first team appearances.

Returning for the 2016/17 season, from then on, Marco Asensio has never looked back. featuring in various finals for Real Madrid under former coach Zinedine Zidane. UEFA Super Cup, scoring in the 4-1 Champions League final triumph over Juventus and contributing sparingly to Real Madrid’s La Liga title triumph in the same season. Last season may not have been quite the same success as the previous for Madrid suffering considerably in the league finishing behind both major rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid – 17 points from their El Clasico rivals – but their third Champions League triumph in a role certainly put the gloss over a season marred by domestic struggles.

Last season may have been a mixed one considering the unbelievable achievement of becoming the first team to win the Champions League three times in a row. A remarkable feat. However, Real Madrid are a team demanded and expected to be dominating domestically as well as on the European front, but that wasn’t the case last season but one positive note Real Madrid Florentino Perez can take from last term is the form and rapid progression of Marco Asensio. Six goals and six assists in La Liga last term quickly endeared Asensio to the Real Madrid faithful.

True, he may not have started as many games as he would have liked but its the impact he made off the bench that would – on a number of occasions – change Real Madrid’s destiny in an instant, it was his impressive two assists down the left wing that set Real Madrid on their way to a 3-1 second leg victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 tie last season. It was a period former coach Zinedine Zidane needed that extra bit of impetus, that bit of youthful exuberance and bit of quality; Asensio was the man to come off the bench and prove the difference. Asensio was the match winner in the first leg of their semi-final tie against fellow Champions League giants Bayern Munich, it was his interception at the vital moment, picking up the ball playing in Lucas Vazquez who then returned it to the Spanish youngster showing his composure and technique to coolly lift the ball over Ulreich in the Bayern Munich goal. A goal befitting of player who always comes up with that moment of quality or magic to carry Madrid over the line. Remind you of a recent former legend?

A player blessed with great skill, technical abilities, vision and as explained before, the knack of popping up at the right place at the right time for Real Madrid. Not only that though, its his ability to conjure some worldies also, if you need any examples just check his goals against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup last term, a jaw-dropping effort which had Marc Andre Ter-Stegen dumbfounded on both occasions – one at the Camp Nou and then the return leg over at the Bernabeu, just take your pick out of either one. Sumptuous efforts. Those two goals aren’t the only  impressive goals he’s scored so far for the club, check out the video below and you’ll see why Asensio is something special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKMAMlVT3A4

Against Leganes at the week, Asensio was at his sparkling best, he may not have scored a goal or come up with an assist. However, his link-up play and understanding with the likes of fellow countryman Isco and Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will surely be an exciting element to Julen Lopetegui’s team and to Real Madrid’s season. Those four alone – without the help of Ronaldo – have the quality, winning experience and togetherness to knock Barcelona off their perch and reclaim the La Liga crown.

This season has started off a little strange not seeing Cristiano Ronaldo without a Real Madrid shirt, and many have wondered whether Real Madrid will swiftly sign a replacement. What remains to be seen is whether those likely candidates Real Madrid have been hell-bent on replacing Ronaldo with, will ever set foot on the green grass that Ronaldo once set his own feet upon, with such legendary acumen. Can the likes of Kylian Mbappe or Neymar – that is, if they do set foot in at the Bernabeu – be the galactico Real Madrid have been longing for a number of years now.

For now though, Madrid may have the galactico they’ve been hoping and praying for, though its not Neymar or Kylian Mbappe or even Eden Hazard. It’s Marco Asensio. For too long he’s had to come out the shadows and at times drag Real Madrid through the mud, but now that Ronaldo has departed, Asensio has the opportunity under Lopetegui to finally become the established star Real Madrid need. Watch this space.

Barcelona secured the La Liga title in convincing style last week with a 4-2 victory over Deportivo. Lionel Messi was once again instrumental as his side captured their 7th League title in 10 seasons. However, despite Barcelona’s dominance this season, much change and improvement is required if Barca are to keep hold of their title and right their wrongs on the European front next season.

Despite their disappointment at the hands of Roma a last month in their Champions League Quarter-final defeat, Barcelona have enjoyed a much more fruitful season on the domestic front under new manager Ernesto Valverde. The former Athletic Bilbao coach was tasked with the difficult job of  steadying a ship which was dramatically sinking under predecessor Luis Enrique before he departed.

Ernesto Valverde has certainly done just that, with his team on track to become the only Spanish side to go through an entire league season unbeaten and having won the Copa Del Rey with a magnificent performance in the 5-0 thrashing of Sevilla. It has been an outstanding season for the Catalan giants considering the fact they were clouded with so much uncertainty at the start of the season with various discussions and debates on whether Barcelona can once again topple El Clasico rivals Real Madrid.

The departure of Brazilian superstar Neymar to PSG for a world record fee left a gaping hole in a squad that was already potentially in danger of fading away after Real Madrid’s dominance the previous campaign. The departure of Neymar left many fans and neutrals shocked and surprised, the thought of a star studded name joining French giants Paris Saint Germain must have left a sour taste within the Barca hierarchy. Questions were asked as to how the club could replace Neymar.

The signings of Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho were signings believed to compensate for the loss of such a big star in Neymar, although both signings are for the future of the club, there was still a feeling around the club that they could do more if they are to be dominant in Europe once again.

Despite their domestic success this season, there is still an aura around the club that the season was a missed opportunity to make their stamp in Europe under the new manager, the defeat to Roma was their 3rd quarter-final elimination in a row, squandering a 4-1 first leg advantage with an implosion that leading midfielder Sergio Busquets described as his worst experience in his whole career. The 3-0 loss in Rome was no freak accident, the Italian were dominant throughout the whole tie let alone the second-leg. Despite Barca’s emphatic first-leg lead, Roma were efficient and dominant in their performance – the 4-1 scoreline flattered both sides.

Barcelona have not won a knockout Champions League game away from home since beating Arsenal in 2016, and the defeat by Roma was very similar to the previous year when they were heavily beaten by both Paris Saint-Germain (4-0) and Juventus (3-0).

To prevent the same story next season, much change is required.

The Departure of Andres Iniesta – Who will step up? 

This summer will see the impending departure of Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta as he embarks on a new chapter in his career reportedly set to be in China, ending his glorious and successful stay at the Nou Camp after nearly 700 appearances and 32 trophies won.

Iniesta’s departure will leave a gaping hole in the side – although the signings of Dembele and Coutinho were not only seen as replacements for Neymar but were made as a preparation for the potential departure of Iniesta. The huge gap left should at least be filled by those two signings, who cost nearly £300m combined but did not feature in the defeat to Roma with Coutinho cup-tied and Dembele left on the bench. Though, it remains to be seen whether their presence in the match would have made much of an impact.

Nonetheless, Coutinho has made a rather impressive start to life at Barcelona chipping in with some vital contributions such as his assist for Suarez in the Copa Del Rey victory over Sevilla underlining his positive star to life at the club.

However, the big question is where the Brazilian will fit in into the clubs system in the long run. In his 17 games for the club so far, the former Liverpool attacker has lined up on either flank and in a central midfield role. There is an obvious role for him in that department of course and also an obvious need for the gap left by Iniesta to be filled and Coutinho certainly fits the bill. There is much more room for improvement in his game if he is to become a more focal point in the centre of midfield though, especially on the defensive side of his game which means much of his attacking play would have to be subdued. Now that there is no Iniesta to call upon to assist him in the role, Valverde has a massive job on his hands to teach Coutinho to be more efficient in both the attack and defence.

By contrast, Dembele has endured a mixed start to his Barcelona career, which has not been helped by his three month injury lay with a thigh problem just after the season started. The 20-year-old French international has shown flashes of brilliance, notably a fine strike against Chelsea in the second leg of their round of 16 tie in the Champions League, but often looks out of place in Valverde’s rigid structure which has led him to committing many defensive mistakes.

Certainly, Dembele is still young and with much to learn but under the right coaching and management, there is no doubt the French hopeful can turn into someone of Neymar’s quality – if not better. The rawness and lack of defensive awareness to his game was the reason Valverde did not trust him to start against Roma, and the forward must work on his mental toughness and defensive awareness if he is to have any chance of becoming the top player many have touted him to be.

Coutinho and Dembele did link up nicely for one of their 4 goals against Deportivo to clinch the title last week, with the Frenchman providing a neat pass for the Brazilian to clinically dispatch the opener, Barcelona will be hoping and praying that combination becomes a regular theme next season as they start their process without the legendary Andres Iniesta.

Potential Arrival of Antoine Griezmann and more? 

With Coutinho and Dembele expected to improve next season, there is still an aura around the Catalan club that they need to improve the depth of the squad to mount a serious challenge in Europe next season.

The Champions League loss to Roma was largely blamed on the lack of depth in the squad and the over-reliance on players such as Sergio Busquets, Ter Stegen, Samuel Umtiti, Pique and Lionel Messi, with players becoming fatigued as the season closes. However, Barcelona wouldn’t have picked up so many points if it hadn’t been for those players which reflects the golf in class between the first choices and the players on the bench.

To address the lack of depth, Barcelona have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann by paying his 100m euro (£87.7,m) release cause. The signing of Griezmann would add another dimension to Valverde’s attack with Coutinho, Dembele and the French attacker all taking the weight off Messi and Suarez’s shoulders. It’s not only in attack Barcelona need to invest, but the midfield does a little light. Sky Sports La Liga expert Guillem Balague stating that the current crop is Barcelona’s ‘worst squad for a decade’ and certain additions this summer will certainly address the lack of depth in Valverde’s squad. Highly-rated Brazilian midfielder Arthur is set to arrive at the Camp Nou in a (£26m) deal from Brazilian outfit Gremio.

Though, before Barcelona can get their additions in, they will reportedly have to sell some players first with various reports suggesting that Valverde could rid of up to seven players in his squad. Players such as Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne, Denis Suarez, Alex Vidal and Paco Alcacer – despite their individual quality – have failed to set their careers at the Camp Nou alight and it will be reasonable for Barcelona to relieve them of their duties this summer.

Most interestingly, is the lack of players coming through the La Masia academy famed for producing a number of quality players over the years such as Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Messi and Xavi and with only one graduate of the academy in the squad (Sergi Roberto) at this moment, the academy has certainly dried up in recent years. Though, the clubs Under-19s did win the UEFA Youth League this season beating both Manchester City and Chelsea on their way to the final. Hopes are high for some of the players in that squad and the B team with Carles Alena hoping to breakthrough next season and Under 19 players such as ball playing midfielder Riqui Puig and striker Abel Ruiz who will soon provide much hope for the future.

Lionel Messi Reincarnated

Barcelona’s saving grace this season – despite their lack of depth – is the never ending impressive performances from none other than their talisman Lionel Messi and it can even be argued that his feat in inspiring a relatively average squad to an easily captured La Liga title is probably the one of the greatest feats of his career. Against Deportivo the other week, Messi became the first player to reach 30 or more goals in seven different La Liga campaigns, yet another record the little Argentinian magician had broken.

Whereas Messi was complemented by Sergio Busquests, Xavi and Andres Iniesta in his younger days, the new role Valverde has placed him as allowed to master all those individual roles into one, being a really effective and masterful playmaker as well as the squads main goal threat. If there is any shoulder you’d want your whole squad emphasis its Messi’s and he has executed it to devastating effect this season. Although Messi doesn’t have the same pace as he used to, he is still as effect roaming around the pitch seeking the opportunity to pounce, the Argentinian has developed into more of a complete player under Valverde, and credit has to go to the Spanish coach who has mastered Messi’s new role perfectly, becoming the club’s reference point in attack.

Interestingly, this is the first season Messi has been employed in the number 10 role or even the ‘Enganche’ – a traditional number 10 instructed to sit behind the teams main striker. In the past, he has been deployed as a false nine or even a right-sided winger but Valverde has played just behind Suarez giving him the license to play deeper and instigate play like Xavi once did in his own time at the club.

Messi’s re-incarnation as a creative playmaker and striker at the same time is clearly shown by his stats this season leading in La Liga in goals (33), assists (12) and chances created.

With Messi playing so well in his new role, and showing no signs of deteriorating, Barcelona are always going to be in with a chance but much reinforcements and change to the club structure this summer if the club harbors any ambition of being dominant in Europe once again. With the World Cup looming, much work will need to be done behind the scenes before the tournament gets under way.

Back in August, it looked as if it would be a long season for Barcelona football Club.

Neymar’s shock desire to depart the Camp Nou and move to Paris Saint-Germain left a huge cloud over the club and the fans. To add insult to injury, their season curtain raiser against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup ended in defeat which did not bode well for their season.

New coach Ernesto Valverde inherited many of the problems vacated by former coach Luis Enrique, but fast forward two months and already things are looking up for Barcelona – most especially on the pitch.

Barcelona’s latest victory – a 2-0 win over Athletico Bilbao was their ninth win in 10 games. 8 points in front of El Clasico rivals Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, with 28 goals scored and just three conceded. Since those Spanish cup defeats to Real Madrid, the club have mustered up 13 wins from 14 games in all competitions, and the optimism and belief around the Nou Camp seem to be increasing every week.

Most of that optimism and belief certainly have arisen through the fresh ideas and philosophy from Ernesto Valverde. The former Bilbao coach certainly had his critics when he joined the club, questions had even been asked as to how he would cope with the numerous issues surrounding the club. Although its too early to judge Valverde, he should be given the credit for steadying the ship at the Camp Nou.

The purchase of former Borussia Dortmund winger Ousmane Dembele was a breath of fresh air, a player capable of becoming just as good as Neymar. However, his progress has been halted through injury which will see him out of action until the new year. A big blow. His electric pace and dribbling ability would have reduced the responsibility on Messi’s shoulders and also allow Suarez to continue to flourish as the club’s main no.9. But, Barcelona have coped significantly in the Frenchman’s absence.

Without a doubt, one of the questions that would have been thrown in Valverde’s direction would have been how he would get the best out of Messi for another season. On this recent evidence, Valverde has successfully addressed those doubts with consummate ease.

His use of Lionel Messi has been Barcelona’s most significant factor. The Argentinian superstar has been given a more central role and it has clearly paid off. Racing ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the scoring charts – already targeting the Pichichi trophy – hitting 12 goals already in La Liga and 16 goals in all competitions.

With the club targeting Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, this is certainly not what Valverde had planned, initially wanting to the lighten the load on Lionel Messi. They got the Frenchman but have lost him to injury until the new year, after losing out to Coutinho through Liverpool’s resistance on selling their most prized asset. An enormous amount of talent to have access too. Especially when it is talent you most definitely needed after losing its second best player in Neymar. Without those players, it is difficult for Valverde to utilise the traditional 4-3-3 that has been so accustomed to the club since Johan Cruyff’s total football philosophy.

So Valverde has adjusted, despite having Gerard Deulofeu on the bench, a player capable of flourishing in that formation. The wingers have been pulled back to a 4-4-2 which has meant he can utilise players such as Ivan Rakitic and Andre Gomes in those wide areas. This may be out of the ordinary but, both players have been diligently doing their jobs both offensively and defensively, as a result Barcelona have never looked more assured at the back than in recent seasons under Luis Enrique. It is definitely down to the tactical astuteness of Valverde. Andre Gomes looks a baffling choice out wide but in the victory over Bilbao in San Mames, he turned in a solid and stable performance making decent runs and working hard defensively. This allows Lionel Messi and Suarez the licence to do their own thing up front.

Messi in particular, has flourished.

Having dropped deeper and deeper under Luis Enrique, Messi is now playing closer to the opposition box which is allowing him to take up more dangerous positions more frequently than ever. A number of times over the weekend, Messi was given so much room to run at the opposition defence – his goal a perfect example, simply majestic. Playing a genius ball to Paulinho, got a return then stroked a wonderfully weighted pass to Jordi Alba before receiving it back and slotting under the keeper with such unerring precision.

The Argentinian has been utterly electric in Valverde’s system, elevating the team to a stratospheric new level flying high at the top of the pile in La Liga. If he carries on at this rate, Messi could be course for his most prolific campaign to date, and his brilliant form has ensured that Luis Suarez’s struggles have not been costly. With Messi moving into the centre of the pitch playing without out-and-out wingers, the Uruguayan has found the pitch too congested through the middle which means defenders find it easy to surround him, denying the space to flourish, he has only scored three goals all season so far.

Fortunately for Barcelona, however, there have been valuable contributions from other members of the squad – much like Real Madrid’s success last season where they had players on the bench capable of making an impact week-in-week-out. A lack of depth was a common issue for Luis Enrique last season but this year the players further down the pecking order are stepping up. New signing Paulinho has silenced his doubters with some solid displays, even scoring three goals in the process. Deulofeu has chipped with a few contributions, so have Denis Suarez and Sergi Roberto too.

Barca’s playing style under Enrique went against Club traditions for many supporters. It hinged on bypassing the midfield to get the ball to the front free of Messi, Suarez and Neymar as quickly as possible with no plan B if things went pear shaped. So far, Valverde has changed that, even if without Neymar. The 4-3-3 formation is now a 4-4-2 and Barcelona’s midfield has become the focal point of the team once again. Yes, the wonderful flowing football hasn’t arrived just yet but the new system has them controlling games in the way you’d expect from a Barcelona side, attacking and defending as a defensive unit.

The stats show Valverde’s impact and how he has adjusted the playing style. Barcelona are making much more passes from open play than last season reflecting in the change of their build-up. Patient, probing and decisive. Instead of getting the ball quickly to the forwards and asking them to do the rest, Barcelona are demonstrating much more patience with the ball, probing for openings and pulling teams apart of accurate passing. Take Messi’s open goal miss against Athletico, the play between himself, Paulinho and Luis Suarez was absolutely devastating, cutting through the defence like a double-edged sword with intricate one-two passing. It was simply a thing of delight.

Out of possession, they are well organised and hard working. Valverde has got Barcelona defending from the front, working as a collective, pressing their opponents high up the pitch the second they lose the ball. The players have clearly bought into Valverde’s ideas and that is shown in the fact that they have only conceded just three La Liga goals all season so far.

Barcelona will certainly need to keep it up as they prepare for more tough games to come, both domestically and in Europe, but they have a little breathing space in La Liga plus a safe passage to the Knockout round of the Champions League looks all but secured. If Barcelona can carry on this sort of form and spirit, Valverde could be in for a very successful first season in the hotseat.

Two months into the season and things are looking much brighter than anybody would have expected in August. How fortunes can change in a couple of months.