New Barcelona boss Valverde has a problem in midfield

New Barcelona boss Valverde has a problem in midfield

Valverde tendrá que asumir alguna salida en el mediocampo durante este verano
Valverde tendrá que asumir alguna salida en el mediocampo durante este verano | IGNASI PAREDES

The current squad is overbooked with midfielders -- 10 if you include Aleña

Signing Verratti would complicate things further and Rafinha could be sold

Among the first decisions which new Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde must take is how he will manage the midfield, as there are currently too many to keep all of them happy. 

As of today, Barça have 11 players that can play in midfield if you include Carles Aleña, who has been with the first team for the majority of the second half of the season. The other 10 candidates for three posititions are Sergio Busquets, Mascherano, Iniesta, Rakitic, Denis Suarez, André Gomes, Rafinha, Turan, Sergi Roberto and the returning Sergi Samper. 

If the Catalan club are also able to sign Italian midfielder Marco Verratti from Paris Saint-Germain -- or another, similar player -- then they would have a total of 12 players capable of playing in the middle. 

Everything suggests that Valverde will have to get rid of at least two midfielders from the current squad. One of those players is expected to be Arda Turan, who has not performed as expected since joining from Atletico. He has been better in attack, but has not found any sort of form in midfield. 

Another name who could leave is Rafinha, who at the moment is injured. The Brazilian wants to make Tite's squad for next summer's World Cup in Brazil and feels he may be better served playing regular football elsewhere. In fact, his father and agent, Mazinho, was spotted in Valencia last week holding talks with Los Che's sporting director. 

The rest, in principle, will stay. Sergi Roberto could return to midfield, but Mascherano is hardly ever used there and will remain an option in defence for Valverde. Verratti's potential arrival could force one more exit, although predicting who is not an easy task. 

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