5 FC Barcelona players who have impressed the most this season

5 FC Barcelona players who have impressed the most this season
Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi

The 2020-21 Spanish La Liga season is at an exciting stage with Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF vying for the top spot. Atletico Madrid is at the top with 58 points while Barcelona FC and Real Madrid FC are at 53 points each. In this post, we are about to highlight the performances of 5 FC Barcelona players who have played a crucial role this season for the club. Manager Ronald Koeman has made some interesting changes as far as a particular player’s form is concerned. The 58-year-old manager has selected team combinations as per the opposition’s attacking and defensive organisation laying more emphasis on tightening up the midfield. FC Barcelona has got a mixture of youth and experience which provides enough bench strength. Ronald Koeman’s innovative thinking could play a big role in the side’s fortune in the final stages of the season.

The players mentioned in the list vary tactically, defensively and temperamentally. The list consists of legendary as well as upcoming stars who are trying to make an impression. Some players are dominating with their speed, control and ability to hold the ball with their creativity while some are brutal with their finishing, organized playmaking, defensive solidity, passing and on-field coordination. These players have showcased clever decision making depending on the situation and their ability to take timely on-field decisions. Based on these traits we have prepared a list of 5 best FC Barcelona players this season. Let’s take a look at 5 players who have impressed the most for the Catalans.

#1 Lionel Messi

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The Argentine has once again turned out to be a guiding force for the Catalans. The 33-year-old isn’t showing signs of slowing down. As we all know Messi can create chances, score goals as well as build-up play. There is no denying about his all-round skills which is why he is still calling the shots.

As always Messi has showcased his clever thinking, awareness and positioning brilliantly. His creative sense and clever link-ups with the midfield have enabled the midfield to operate more fluidly. Messi has partnered well with young strikers Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele in the forward line. His combination with Antoinne Griezemann at the wings has looked sharp. His clever understanding with a midfield consisting of Philippe Coutinho, Frankie De Jong, Sergio Busquets and Miralem Pjanic has made the midfielders to move deep and operate more freely.

As far as the charismatic forward’s fitness and goal scoring form is concerned manager Ronald Koeman will hope the Argentina great continues with his fine run. Messi has scored 19 goals in 23 La Liga games so far this season with 6 assists to his name. He has also netted 4 goals in 5 Champions League games so far this season with 2 assists to his name.

#2 Frankie De Jong

The former Ajax FC player is known for his all-round play. The 23-year-old has outrun the opposition with his speed and electric counter attacks. De Jong is normally a midfielder but the enterprising star can play offensively as well as defensively. De Jong can change his game as per the situation of a game which is one of his biggest strengths.

The midfielder has showcased his intelligence at the flanks and is a destructive operator inside the box. De Jong has scored 3 goals in 25 La Liga games in the 2020-21 season so far with 4 assists to his name while his creativity and clever one-touch passes have looked effective during the run of play. Aerially De Jong is a deadly operator because of his destructive headers. De Jong is a keen learner and playing with the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoinne Griezmann will make him technically sharp.

De Jong’s reach and fine shooting abilities make him a threat during aerial duels and set-pieces. De Jong’s presence has surely added more fluidity in Barcelona’s midfield. It will be a unique experience for the youngster which will make him a complete player in the future.

#3 Ousmane Dembele

The Frenchman started his career on a bright note but was out of action due to fitness issues for a brief period. The 23-year- old has posed challenges to the best sides with his speed and powerful runs. The forward is a penetrative option on both sides of the flanks. Dembele is a smart mover during set-pieces and his ability to score goals can’t be undermined.

Dembele’s co-ordination and teamwork with Ansu Fati at the wings have looked impressive for the Catalans’. The Frenchman has scored 3 goals in 19 games so far this season with 2 assists to his name. Dembele has also scored 3 goals in 5 Champions League games so far this season with 2 assists to his name.

#4 Antoine Griezmann

The Frenchman has been the pillar of the Barcelona forward line since his arrival at Camp Nou. Griezemann too had slowed down a bit midseason but the Frenchman made an impressive comeback. Griezmann has used his smartness and clever decision making to build-up play. Griezemann has showcased brilliant footwork during counter-attacks to trouble the opposition with his speed.

The 29-year-old can also double up as an attacking midfielder which is one of his biggest strengths and offers Barcelona options in the midfield. The former Atletico Madrid player has looked stubborn when it comes to his ability to hold possession for a long time. Griezemann has been exceptional during set pieces and winning aerial duels. He has this knack of creating chances with his unorthodox moves through which he tends to outfox the best defences.

The striker has registered 6 goals in 23 La Liga games this season with 6 assists to his name. He has also scored 2 goals in 6 Champions League games so far this season. Griezemann has linked up well with midfielders Sergio Busquets, Miralem Pjanic and Philippe Coutinho. Griezmann has also worked well with youngster Trincao at the right-wing. He has also scored 2 goals in 4 Champions League games this season.

#5 Jordi Alba

The Spaniard has been like a rock of Barcelona’s defence standing firm for the Catalans during crucial situations. The 31-year-old has manned Barcelona’s with his resolute approach since the last nine seasons. Though in the ongoing season the defender had some issues relating to his form, Alba is slowly returning to form. He has been quite good at winning aerial dual and implementing long crosses to create chances.

Alba’s clever interceptions can break the flow of any attacking move during open play. The defender is known to be technically strong and has been an intelligent mover on the field. Alba has shown his ability to counter the best attacks with his strong tackles and his ability to win the ball from the opposition. Alba has also showcased his ability to circulate the ball with his smart moves and quality passes. Alba’s fine positioning inside the box makes him a robust goal-scoring options during set-pieces. Alba has netted 2 goals in 22 games so far this season with 5 assists to his name. Alba has formed a steady partnership with Clement Lenglet, especially at the centre.

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