Barcelona 2023/24 – Team Analysis

As the summer transfer window wrapped up, despite not spending a lot, FC Barcelona experienced a remarkable overhaul, infusing fresh talent and revamping their squad. In this article, we explore Barcelona’s summer signings, notable departures, squad, and the emerging faces set to redefine their starting lineup.

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Transfers

Arrivals

Oriol Romeu	Defensive Midfield	31	Spain	Girona	€3.4m
Ilkay Gundogan	Central Midfield	32	Germany	Man City	free transfer
Inigo Martinez	Centre-Back	32	Spain	Athletic	free transfer
Joao Cancelo	Right-Back	29	Portugal	Man City	loan transfer
Joao Felix	Second Striker	23	Portugal	Atletico Madrid	loan transfer

Not a lot of money spent by Barcelona, however they did manage to secure players for the positions they needed. Romeu came in as a CDM, while Gundogan as an all-round number 8, who can contribute to both the defense and attack. Inigo Martinez is a new CB backup, while Cancelo on loan from City will be the starting right back. Joao Felix can play anywhere in attack, he will most likely occupy that left winger role, inverting at times.

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Notable departures

Ousmane Dembele	Right Winger	26	France	PSG	€50.0m
Franck Kessie	Central Midfield	26	Ivory Coast	Al-Ahli	€12.5m
Nico Gonzales	Central Midfield	21	Spain	FC Porto	€8.4m
Abde Ezzalzouli	Left Winger	21	Morocco	Real Betis	€7.5m
Trincao	Left Winger	23	Portugal	Sporting CP	€7.0m
Sergio Busquets	Defensive Midfield	35	Spain	Inter Miami	free transfer
Jordi Alba	Left-Back	34	Spain	Inter Miami	free transfer
Samuel Umtiti	Centre-Back	29	France	LOSC Lille	free transfer
Alex Collado	Right Winger	24	Spain	Real Betis	free transfer
Ansu Fati	Left Winger	20	Spain	Brighton	loan transfer
Clement Lenglet	Centre-Back	28	France	Aston Villa	loan transfer
Eric Garcia	Centre-Back	22	Spain	Girona	loan transfer
Sergino Dest	Right-Back	22	USA	PSV Eindhoven	loan transfer
Julian Araujo	Right-Back	21	Mexico	Las Palmas	loan transfer
Pablo Torre	Central Midfield	20	Spain	Girona	loan transfer

The Ousmane Dembele transfer was the highlight of the window for the Catalans, as they had a “private clause” with the winger that he could leave for 50m and a part of the fee will go to the player and his agent. He joined PSG. Other than that, Barcelona were quite successful in getting rid of unwanted players.

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Squad

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	GER	Marc-André ter Stegen (vice-captain)
2	DF	POR	João Cancelo (on loan from Manchester City)
3	DF	ESP	Alejandro Balde
4	DF	URU	Ronald Araújo (3rd captain)
5	DF	ESP	Iñigo Martínez
6	MF	ESP	Gavi
7	FW	ESP	Ferran Torres
8	MF	ESP	Pedri
9	FW	POL	Robert Lewandowski
11	FW	BRA	Raphinha
13	GK	ESP	Iñaki Peña
14	FW	POR	João Félix (on loan from Atlético Madrid)
15	DF	DEN	Andreas Christensen
17	DF	ESP	Marcos Alonso
18	MF	ESP	Oriol Romeu
20	MF	ESP	Sergi Roberto (captain)
21	MF	NED	Frenkie de Jong (4th captain)
22	MF	GER	İlkay Gündoğan
23	DF	FRA	Jules Koundé

With the low cost, free and loan transfers, Xavi managed to fill the holes in the squad. Now FC Barcelona’s squad boasts a mix of seasoned international stars and exciting young talents. With key figures like Marc-André ter Stegen and Robert Lewandowski, alongside promising talents like Gavi and Alejandro Balde, the team exhibits a diverse blend of experience and potential. The inclusion of players like João Cancelo and João Félix, albeit on loan, adds an intriguing dimension to the squad’s composition, making Barcelona a team to watch in the upcoming season.

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Possible Starting 11

Ter Stegen is Barcelona’s number one and nothing can change this. At the back, Cancelo is the starting right back, remains to be seen whether Araujo will play this role at times, with Sergi Roberto being available as well. Hard to pick a CB pairing, as both Kounde, Araujo and Christensen are top. Balde is the starting left back, Alonso can come in at times.

Hard to pick a midfield as well, as Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gundogan and Gavi are on similar levels and Romeu is a great option for the CDM role. In attack Lewandowski is number 1. For the RW spot we have Raphinha and Yamal, while Felix will most probably start at LW. Ferran Torres is a great option all across the board.