Barca player ratings for the 2019/20 season so far

Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Do you agree?

With no football for the foreseeable future, it’s worth casting a beady eye back over player performances for the season so far.

We’ve rated them from 1 - 10, with 10 being the highest mark and 1 being simply awful.

This list takes into account every player that has worn the shirt this season, and even those that moved on in the winter transfer window.

Let us know in the comments if you agree.

Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Arguably the team’s best performer so far this season. Has been excellent in almost every game he’s played.

One or two routine errors aside, his consistency between the posts has been a big reason why Barca have picked up a point or more in certain matches.

Rating: 10

Nelson Semedo

Has been neither brilliant nor poor, but somewhere in between. When he’s ‘on it,’ Semedo provides a willing outlet on the right hand side, whose pace and genuine crossing ability are a real asset to the side.

There are occasions, however, when he doesn’t seem so positive and insists on playing square balls or back to the keeper. There’s no forward thrust. On those occasions, he might just as well not be there.

Rating: 6

Gerard Pique

Behind ter Stegen, Pique has been Barca’s outstanding player. The question has been asked on many occasions, but now carries more weight that usual. Where would the Blaugranes be without him?

A colossus in the heart of Barca’s defence who gives absolutely everything each time he pulls on the shirt.

Rating: 9.5

Clement Lenglet

Alongside Pique, Clement Lenglet has come on leaps and bounds. To the extent where it’s entirely possible that Samuel Umtiti could be allowed to leave this summer, something that would’ve been unthinkable a year to 18 months ago.

Cool, calm and collected, the Frenchman’s performances may be understated, but he’s fully deserving of a starting place each week.

Rating: 8.5

Jordi Alba

Is sorely missed when he’s not there, as was proved when he was injured.

Gives Barca something extra down the left-hand-side, to the extent where they look a totally different team without him in it.

Lionel Messi in particular relies on his runs into the box and innate ability to find him with a cross or pass.

Rating: 8

Sergio Busquets

We can’t ignore the elephant in the room. Sergio Busquets has been nowhere close to the player we know he can be in 2019/20.

Sluggish at times, his passing has been more off than on, and, dare we say it, for the first time in his distinguished career, he looks less of a starter than ever.

Rating: 4

Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Frenkie de Jong

For his first season at the Camp Nou, Frenkie de Jong can be largely satisfied with his contribution.

When he’s good, he’s very good, and is a great outlet in an attacking sense. His dynamism in the role has often given Barca a lift just when they’ve needed it.

Has been found wanting in some games, however, and probably needs to add a bit more consistency to his game.

Rating: 7.5

Arthur Melo

Three goals and three assists isn’t bad from the Brazilian, and his dogged determination to hold onto the ball when in possession has been needed in midfield.

Plays far too many square balls for my liking because he’s accurate enough in his passing range to move Barca forward, rather than stagnate a particular move.

Injuries again haven’t helped his cause, nor his alleged partying ways.

Rating: 6.5

Lionel Messi

Not his best season and yet Messi has still managed 19 goals and 12 assists in 22 appearances.

Rumours of him playing with an injury don’t appear to be without foundation, as we’ve not seen that acceleration from a standing start too much in this campaign, particularly in the latter part of it.

By his own lofty standards, he hasn’t hit the heights, and yet without him also, Barca would have struggled. Badly.

Rating: 8.5

Luis Suarez

A shame that Luis Suarez’s season ended so prematurely. With 11 goals and seven assists, the Uruguayan can still offer a vital goal scoring presence when required, although age is beginning to weary him.

More of a penalty box predator than he ever was, his lack of mobility could see his Barca career come to a close in the not too distant future. The Catalans’ need for speed in that area is obvious.

Rating: 8.5

Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Antoine Griezmann

Considering he’s been played out of position for the most part, it’s difficult to be too hard on the Frenchman.

Eight goals and four assists in 26 games for a World Cup winner doesn’t sound great, but his work ethic has been spot on.

Had he bagged more goals, it’s doubtful there’d be any negativity around him.

Rating: 8

Sergi Roberto

A player who divides opinion amongst the cule fraternity. Gives absolutely everything for the shirt, but has become more of a utility player than perhaps he would’ve liked.

Better in some respects than Semedo at right-back, and worse in others, his presence in midfield can’t be assured now either, because of the need to find space for others.

Can’t see him accepting a bit part role next season.

Rating: 4.5

Ansu Fati

Burst onto the scene with some brilliant goals which set records almost every time he set foot on the pitch.

As to be expected, his impact slowed after a while, but showing no signs of the nerves which might normally affect one so young. Definitely one for the future.

Rating: 6

Arturo Vidal

Has had to be content with coming from the bench for the most part, something he’s done in 14 of his 22 appearances.

Six goals, two assists and a general all round work ethic that would put many of his team-mates to shame isn’t too shabby when compared to minutes on the pitch.

That said, there’s still an argument that, given his age, he isn’t quite what Barca need now.

Rating: 5

Junior Firpo

Not a complete disaster but not far off it. Firpo was brought in to challenge Alba for the left-back slot, but only managed to get games because of Alba’s injury.

Not at all dynamic, and frankly looks frightened when he gets forward. Doesn’t associate well with those around him, his passing is generally poor, and for a signing who promised so much, he’s been a disappointment.

Rating: 3

Neto

Did well enough away at Inter in the Champions League, but didn’t cover himself in glory in either of the two matches against Espanyol in LaLiga or Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.

His two mistakes in the latter match handed the win to the Rojiblancos when Barca were on course to reach the final.

Rating: 3

Samuel Umtiti

Has lost whatever it was that made him a fixture in the Barca back line.

Still has his physicality, but any speed he had before has totally disappeared since his comeback from injury.

Only has himself to blame if the club think he is surplus to requirements in the summer.

Rating: 4

Photo by Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images

Ousmane Dembele

Yet another season where injuries have hampered the Frenchman. There is no doubt whatsoever that Dembele is a special player when free of injury problems.

The team simply have no one else like him. Brilliant with both feet, his pace will frighten any defender.

And yet, apart from the odd flash of brilliance, just one goal and a red card in the same match is pretty much all he has to show for his 2019/20.

Rating: 3

Moussa Wague

Might’ve been the successor to Nelson Semedo if the club had persevered with him, but was far too raw for regular employment in the big games.

The jump up from Barca B, as so many have found before him, was just too great.

Rating: 3

Jean-Clair Todibo

Why oh why oh why did the club let him go? Was barely given a chance to impress but looked comfortable when called upon and could surely have provided requisite cover for Gerard Pique if needed.

Rating: 6.5

Carles Perez

In his eight appearances (plus five as sub), he scored three and assisted twice, and looked liked he could be a real find and one for the future alongside the likes of Ansu Fati.

Just like Todibo, however, he was canned before he was given a chance, so we will never know just how good he could’ve been.

Rating: 6

Carles Alena

Wasn’t given the chance to impress until it was so late in the season that he was considering a move away in order to get some game time.

Offers physicality and dynamism in the midfield, and keeps another link to La Masia alive if he returns from Real Betis.

Rating: 6

Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Martin Braithwaite

One of the strangest ever signings for Barca, but credit to the Dane, he’s kept his word as to how he was going to conduct himself.

Has been a breath of fresh air, and even if he’s shipped out as quickly as he was brought in, he can’t be criticised for a lack of effort.

Rating: 7

Ivan Rakitic

Didn’t end up leaving in the January window, but his Barca days are over. Hasn’t really offered anything to the team this season bar an experienced and calm head.

A shadow of the player who joined just a few years ago.

Rating: 3

Riqui Puig

Also hasn’t been given much of a chance to shine, despite Quique Setien praising him upon his arrival at the club, and then playing him in the game against Granada.

He did change the game with his entrance though, so we’ll give him a mark based on that 19 minutes.

Rating: 5

Alex Collado

Has only played for five minutes in the senior side, but the club are apparently willing to extend his contract, so they must see something in him.

Rating: Not enough minutes for which to rate him

Ronaldo Araujo

Like Collado, has only turned out for the first team in one substitute appearance, and for marginally longer than his team-mate - 14 minutes.

Rating: Not enough minutes for which to rate him.

from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3dv3tl3

Categories: Barca Blaugranes - All Posts