Who is Barcelona’s Player of the Season so far?
Cameron Smith
- 25 Dec 2021 09:00 GMT
- 4 min read
Millions in debt, no Lionel Messi, Ronald Koeman sacked already, and the side down in seventh - Barcelona haven’t been an easy watch this season.
With talisman Messi no longer at the club to drag them to success, they’ve slumped to mediocrity, and at the halfway mark of the Spanish top flight season, the Blaugrana are 18 points behind Clasico rivals Real Madrid.
Xavi has been appointed as head coach, and although small stylistic changes have helped, they’re still lightyears away from returning to their glory days.
That being said, some players have managed to stand out and be counted for, but who has been Barcelona’s Player of the Season so far?
TRENDING
3. Memphis Depay
Upon arriving at Camp Nou, Memphis Depay was immediately handed the responsibility of the attack. With Messi and Antoine Griezmann gone, Ousmane Dembele injured, and Philippe Coutinho out-of-form, and out-of-favour, it all fell to Depay; a fairly daunting task for a new signing.
In fairness to the Dutchman, he’s coped well so far. While he’s not yet shown the talent he displayed week-in, week-out for Lyon, he’s in a completely new environment in a struggling team, so not much more could’ve been expected of him.
He’s managed to score eight in the league, which ranks joint-fifth in the entire division, while the next highest-scoring Barcelona player is Ansu Fati on just three. Depay hasn’t been incredible at his new home, but he’s carried the attack despite desperately needing help.
2. Jordi Alba
It’s not been a vintage Jordi Alba campaign, but at 32, it doesn’t seem like he’s got one of those left in him.
The Spaniard is certainly past his best, but he’s been rolling back the years in 2021/22 in a desperate attempt to ignite some fire into this Barcelona side.
Slowly declining, he’s managed to somewhat arrest his downwards slide with four league assists this season - a club high. He’s been a constant outlet on the left flank, and although his defensive contribution hasn’t been great, Alba is in the top 2% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes with 7.16 P90, according to Fbref.
There’s not been a lot to cheer about for Barcelona fans recently, but Alba still giving his all is at least something. He’s been his typical wind-up self as well, which recently led to Jules Kounde’s sending off when Barca faced Sevilla.
1. Gavi
Far and away Barcelona’s best player this campaign, 17-year-old Gavi shouldn’t be relied upon, but he is.
With Frenkie de Jong still not finding his Ajax levels, and Pedri not yet fit, Gavi has taken up the reins in central midfield despite his youthfulness. His form earned himself a senior call-up to the Spain squad, and he was immediately thrown into the deep-end at international level.
Xavi needs to be careful not to over-exert Gavi, in the same way Koeman over-used Pedri, but at the moment it’s a need, not a want, to start him in every game.
With one goal and three assists he’s been one of Barcelona’s more productive players, but it’s his other work that impresses the most. Gavi is cool and composed on the ball, as you’d expect from a La Masia graduate, while possessing the grit and hunger that many in this Barcelona squad lack.
Exquisite on the ball, Gavi will learn under Xavi’s guidance and improve even more, but his team-mates need to step up in the back-end of this season; he can’t do it all.
