This is how the Barça squad for 2016/17 now looks

With the signing of Paco Alcacer, the planning of FC Barcelona 2016/17 has been completed. At least for the period between September and December.

It remains to be seen if the technical staff decide to make another movement in the winter transfer window, but at the moment, Luis Enrique has 22 players, and with the versatility of some, each position has cover, and in some cases, double-cover or more.

GOALKEEPER

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen begins the campaign as starter, following the departure of Claudio Bravo to Manchester City. The German is Barça's choice for the future, and now, after two seasons alternating the role with the Chilean, he will have the protagonism that he was requesting.

He started in the best way at San Mames, a very demanding ground, showing his strong points, his mentality, reflexes and ability with his feet. On paper, the Dutchman Jasper Cillessen will be the back-up (he will play in the Copa del Rey). Jordi Masip continues to be third-choice, always ready for whenever he is required.

RIGHT-BACK

Sergi Roberto and Aleix Vidal will compete for this position after the departure of Dani Alves to Juventus. The Brazilian had monopolised the role since his arrival to the club in the summer of 2008. Now the challenge is on for the two Catalans aspiring to take his place.

For now, Sergi Roberto is ahead in the race, having played three of the four official matches. The man from Reus has impressed Luis Enrique because he is a utility player and, above all, intelligent. He understands the game perfectly. Aleix Vidal, in his second term, will have to continue working to convince the Asturian manager in order to make his decision a difficult one.

RIGHT-SIDED CENTRAL DEFENDER

A position that has had a name carved into it at Barça for a long time, specifically since 2008, when he arrived: Gerard Pique. The youth team product is a guarantee, a bastion at the back for the Blaugrana. Positioning, anticipation, aerial strength, attacking mentality... He has it all. This makes him an immovable piece of the framework for Luis Enrique. He is untouchable. If he needs a rest, Javier Mascherano can occupy his position. Sergio Busquets can also play there, though only in a case of emergency.

LEFT-SIDED CENTRAL DEFENDER

Here Luis Enrique has various options: Javier Mascherano, Jeremy Mathieu and Samuel Umtiti. For now, the new signing Umtiti has started, but the injuries to his teammates have cleared his path. It remains to be seen what will happen when all three are in perfect shape, but the early signs from the former Lyon player are very promising. He is strong, quick and powerful in the air. 

Mascerano and Mathieu have the added plus of being versatile and can get opportunities in other positions. In the Argentine's case as right-sided centre-back or defensive midfielder, and in the Frenchman's case at left-back.

LEFT-BACK

Jordi Alba and Lucas Digne are the duo fighting for the place. The youth team product, for his experience, has got the edge, and started the first two league games. However, the competition for the role will be fierce as the Frenchman Digne has shown an immediate adaption to his new team. Mathieu can also play in the position, as he did in the first official game of the season at the Sanchez Pizjuan in the Super Cup.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER

Sergio Busquets, since season 2008/09, Pep Guardiola's first in the dugout, is the player that continues to add balance. There is often talk of bringing in a back-up, but the truth is that the youth team product is irreplaceable for his versatility. Always well positioned, he is a specialist in breaking up opposition attacks, in pressing and in controlling the tempo. Mascherano, who plays in the position for Argentina, is his natural replacement in the squad, though others could make the step, such as Denis Suarez.

RIGHT-SIDED CENTRAL MIDFIELDER 

A position which is also untouchable. Its owner is Ivan Rakitic, a player that grabbed the role in convincing fashion as soon as he landed at the Camp Nou for season 2014/15. The Croatian stands out for his great work-rate, and also for providing attacking runs from deep. Luis Enrique can also call upon Rafinha and Sergi Roberto in this area of the pitch.

LEFT-SIDED CENTRAL MIDFIELDER

The owner of this area of the field is Andres Iniesta, the team captain. The player from La Mancha, who is in his 15th season in the first team, is a guarantee in this zone. Control, precision and security are what his always-coherent play offers. Luis Enrique knows, however, that the Fuentealbilla man will not be at 100% for all games, and so has other options such as Denis Suarez or Andre Gomes, acquired this summer. Another that can assume the role is the Turk Arda Turan, though he begins more as an attacker from out wide.

RIGHT-SIDED FORWARD

The right wing is for Leo Messi, though only in theory as the Argentine, for his quality, talent and efficiency, in scoring and assisting, has complete freedom of movement. The star plays where he feels he can be most lethal and changes position whenever he feels it necessary, causing imbalance in the opposition formation. The alternatives here are Sergi Roberto, the boy for all areas, and Aleix Vidal who can also dominate the wing with threatening runs and goals.

CENTRE FORWARD

Luis Suarez is the reference since his signing in 2014. The Uruguayan ace has adapted to the role perfectly and does not tire of scoring goals, as well as opening up spaces and providing assists. This season, however, he will have competition: Paco Alcacer. The player from Torrent is also a pure No. 9 that performs in the central role. He can also move wide, but his natural habitat is the opposing area, where he moves with precision. He stands out for unloading his shot at the first opportunity. Also, like Suarez, he dominates the aerial side of the game and is a specialist in taking penalties.

LEFT-SIDED FORWARD

Since the arrival of Neymar, the left wing is the Brazilian's. Quick, with dribbling skills, Neymar is a guarantee to create havoc in this part of the pitch. He also scores goals and is the first to put the high-press into practice that Luis Enrique demands to begin to recover the ball. He has been absent to start this season, and Arda Turan will not make things easy for him. The Turk has shown that his performances are much better in this area of the field, and has scored goals and provided assists since filling in.