Five right-backs available – Who should Barcelona bet on?

In his final game as the manager of Barcelona, Xavi Hernandez did not have many options to choose from to deploy at right-back.

Joao Cancelo, the team’s first-choice right-back spent most of the season covering for Alejandro Balde at left-back, leaving only Jules Kounde and Hector Fort to provide cover to the defensive position.

A lot will change by the time Hansi Flick takes over for his first pre-season friendly at the club. The Catalans could see a situation of ‘rags to riches’ in the department as they could see up to five promising candidates to take over the position.

Barça Universal brings you an analysis of the five players in question and whom Flick should look to trust.

Jules Kounde

A bonafide centre-back not too long ago, Kounde appears to have embraced the challenge of succeeding at right-back, especially with his tangible improvement last season.

The French defender got better with every passing week and was remarkably solid in defence. Considering the competition at centre-back heading into next season, Kounde could well persist as an option on the flank.

If one had to pick a drawback, however, it would be the Frenchman’s relatively little output in the final third, especially considering that Flick demands a lot of his full-backs in attack.

Joao Cancelo

At this point, it is still unclear if Barcelona will have the services of Cancelo next season. The Portuguese star has impressed the management and convinced them, but the financial situation does not permit an outright purchase.

Should the Catalans manage to rope in the player on another loan, Cancelo may well be Flick’s best bet to start at right-back. The veteran provides incisive runs into the final third and is the perfect attacking full-back for Flick’s 4-2-3-1.

Contrastingly, the only negative one can consider in Cancelo’s case is the inevitable price he pays in defence. Invested fully in attack, the Manchester City star is often caught out of position on the counter as was…

Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/five-right-backs-available-who-should-barcelona-bet-on/

Author : Adithya Eshwarla

Publish date : 2024-06-06 18:30:40

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