3. Defense
Barcelona have completed the transfer of Jeremy Mathieu. For now, there has been one defensive signing. Mathieu is not at all a bad defender. Quite solid, but nothing extravagant. My concern is that Barcelona paid 20 million euros for a 30 year-old center-back (soon to be 31). I consider it an expensive short-term solution to the club’s defensive woes. Another problem remains on the idea of purchasing a pure center-back. The French defender has spent the majority of his career playing left-back. What a surprise; the Blaugranas opted for another makeshift center-half.
A second move that needs to happen is pulling Mascherano out of the back. During the 2014 World Cup, Mascherano demonstrated why he needs to be placed in his preferred position. And we have seen that with all the effort the Argentine midfielder has put at the back, he simply is not a center-back.
In order for Mascherano to play in his natural position full-time, the Blaugranas need to transfer another center-back. Fans desire a long-term solution. Someone young and promising is ideal. For the second year in a row, Barcelona are in talks with Marquinhos. However, PSG have neglected selling the Brazilian (especially for less than they bought him for last season). Considering the large sum Barcelona have spent, any more big purchases are unlikely.
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