Why Denis Cheryshev Is the 1 Player Barcelona Must Shut Down Against Villarreal

Denis Cheryshev has been one of Villarreal's players of the season so far.

On loan from table-toppers Real Madrid, the Russian has impressed while at El Madrigal, and as the season progresses, his form continues to improve.

It's a turnaround from his time on loan at Sevilla, where the notion of a permanent move quickly evaporated.

His form has placed him firmly in contention for a recall at Los Blancos at the end of the current campaign, with Rob Train of ESPN FC noting:

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Ancelotti is said to have been impressed by the Russian international's performances for Villarreal, where he is on a season-long loan, and is keen to incorporate him into the first team squad in the summer.

[...] The Castilla graduate is gaining priceless European experience and in La Liga has made 18 appearances, providing as many assists for his team as Ronaldo has for Real with nine.

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Under Marcelino, the Russian has found the confidence of his Real Madrid Castilla days, something that was sorely missing from his time in Andalusia.

WhoScored notes Cheryshev's important contributions in the last few weeks, which include a goal, three assists and three man-of-the-match performances.

So what do Barca need to be wary of? Let's take a look...

Gifted technician

Cheryshev is most comfortable with the ball at his feet, taking on defenders from his wide-left berth.

He has begun to excel in one-on-one situations, using an enviable skill set to its fullest effect.

An able exponent in the almost lost art of the dribble, when Cheryshev bears down on his full-back, he means business.

B/R's Allan Jiang noted: "A tremendously gifted left-footed winger with technique comparable to Andrey Arshavin, Cheryshev's talent is not in doubt, hence why Real have kept him on their books."

Intelligent in play, the Russian is equally adept at cutting inside to bring others into play or taking on his marker with a view to getting a cross in from the byline.

Stubborn will to win

The youngster has that ingredient that eventually gets you to the very top.

An unshakable belief and stubbornness in his own ability means that if at first he doesn't succeed, he will try and try again.

Free of the injuries that have blighted his career to this point, Villarreal are now enjoying the fruits of Cheryshev's intensive labour, and his is an attitude that will likely stand him in very good stead for the future.

For the present, Barcelona will have to be on their toes for the entire 90 minutes because Cheryshev will just keep on coming. Switch off just for a moment and he has shown already this season that he can be decisive.  

Pace to burn

If there's one thing that Barcelona do struggle with, it's opposition players with genuine power, pace and directness. Cheryshev possesses all three in abundance.

Dani Alves can genuinely be relied upon to curtail any forays from opposition wide men; however, his own wanderlust upfield means that if the Russian can get in behind Barca, they will have huge problems.

Alves simply isn't quick enough now to get back in position, and Cheryshev can, and most likely will, exploit that space in behind.