Analysing Barcelona's Options at Right-Back Ahead of January Transfer Window
Barcelona's squad is fairly settled, with plenty of cover for every position. The one spot that is in doubt is the right-back position.
It is in doubt for two reasons. One is that the first choice is Sergi Roberto, whose best position is in midfield. He has played well at right-back with the exception of two games—Manchester City away and Sevilla away—but those did enough to create some doubt over whether he is the man for the job on a long-term basis.
The second reason is Aleix Vidal's freeze-out, which lasted from after his bad performance against Alaves on Sept. 10 until he returned against Hercules on Nov. 30. Even though Luis Enrique has brought him back into the fold, he is clearly not enamoured with the defender, cutting him from the squad to face Osasuna last weekend despite his good performance against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Here we analyse the club's situation when it comes to dealing with their problem position…
Option one, Sergi Roberto
Luis Enrique was clear when it came to his plans for Sergi Roberto this season. He said, per Sport:
"Sergi gives us different possibilities, he's a wildcard of a player because of how easy it is for him to play in different positions. This year he's been more of a right-back and he will keep this role in principle, but I can't rule out playing him in another position. But in principle, his position this season, and as we have designed the squad, is as a full-back.
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Sergi Roberto adapted to the position quickly and impressively, testament to his technical and mental qualities. And while he is certainly capable of playing there in 80 per cent of Barcelona's matches, the question remains over the 20 per cent which could be crucial in the title race, the 20 per cent of teams Barcelona will face who want to attack them and press them high.
Both Manchester City and Sevilla did this, and Sergi Roberto suffered positionally. That is something Luis Enrique and his team will work on to amend, and with time, you would expect a player of his intelligence will solve the problem. But do Barcelona have time? Does any top club?
Failed backup
Vidal struggled to find a place in the squad in his first season at Barcelona, although he should be allowed some leeway because he had to sit out six months while Barcelona's FIFA ban on registering players expired.
However, the situation did not improve after he played badly against Alaves, becoming Luis Enrique's scapegoat for the defeat.
Vidal was not involved in a game until he came back against Hercules, with stories about a January departure circling. The coach was said to be unhappy with his bad attitude (somewhere between "disbelief and astonishment"), which included an injury just before he was going to be used in the Catalan Super Cup, per Sport.
The defender was eventually brought back into the fold to rest Sergi Roberto in games against Hercules and Borussia Monchengladbach.
"I've never said I want to leave and I will always work 1000 percent to be able to be a success here," said Vidal, per Sport. It already seems too late for that.
Internal options
Barcelona have two players in the B team who could be used, in Nili Perdomo and Sergi Palencia. The former has been called up to the first-team squad a few times, while the latter is liked by fans who pay close attention to La Masia and Barcelona B's games.
Mundo Deportivo reported in September that if Vidal were to leave, then both would be excited to take a step up to the first team (link in Spanish).
However, neither is ready for the rigours of top-flight football, and while they should be kept in mind, right now they are not the solution.
The dream is over
Hector Bellerin was on Barcelona's radar for a long time, but Arsenal's former Barca player is settled in London and does not want to leave. Sport had him as the club's prime target, but he penned a new six-year deal with the Gunners in November.
Darijo Srna, short-term option
Both Barcelona-based sports papers Sport and Mundo Deportivo agree that the club are targeting the Croatian defender who plays for Shakhtar Donetsk. Sport say that he dreams of coming to join the club, and that because of his 13 years of service, the Shakhtar captain will be allowed to join for free in January.
They claim the Shakhtar president Rinat Ahkmetov said: "He has given everything for the club and we will be proud of whatever he decides." It may even be that he takes a pay cut from his €4 million salary to come to Camp Nou, such is his desire to play for Barcelona.
At 34, the veteran defender would only be a short-term fix.
The future
Valencia's Joao Cancelo is another player who has been on Barcelona's radar for a long time, although it seemed like the club would have to wait until the summer to make a move for the Portuguese defender.
However, Sport claim that Valencia's terrible form has changed the situation, and the club are considering selling some players to raise funds and change the makeup of their squad. Lluis Miguelsanz wrote:
"Barca will keep an eye on Valencia's movements in the coming days. The relationship between the two clubs is good and this summer they did deals for Paco Alcacer and Andre Gomes. Barça, meanwhile, sent Martin Montoya and Munir El Haddadi in the other direction. Valencia have put 25 million euros on Cancelo's head, but the may drop their price after this week's meeting.
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We previously analysed Barcelona's potential Cancelo deal at Bleacher Report.
Other options
Serge Aurier (Paris Saint-Germain) and Djibril Sidibe (Monaco) have also been mentioned but do not appear to be among Barcelona's primary plans.
Rik Sharma is Bleacher Report's lead Barcelona correspondent. All information and quotes obtained firsthand unless specified. Follow him on Twitter here: @riksharma_.
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