3 Barcelona Players Who Are Fighting for Their Futures in 2015/16

Barcelona's success during 2014/15 has elevated the club to the summit of world football once more.

A brief hiatus didn't last for long as the Catalans eventually took all before them to claim a second treble.

Arguably, the club are well placed to retain at least one of the three trophies this season, if not more—fitness and form depending.

Luis Enrique and his technical team deserve great credit for ensuring the team remained competitive throughout the campaign, and they'll no doubt be trying their utmost to replicate the same in 2015/16.

As is commonplace with the evolution of such teams, there will always be the "fall guys," those players who, for a multitude of reasons, just can't break through and earn regular employment in the first XI.

Let's take a look at three who could well be playing for their futures during this season...

Douglas

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Regardless of whether anyone thought the player was needed or not, Douglas arrived to Barca and, in fairness, has always been giving of his best, when the chance has arisen. Which hasn't been often.

A high level of passing accuracy—91 percent, according to Squawka—is amongst the best in the squad, albeit this came in only two games.

Who's to say that this wouldn't be replicated across the season if he were given the chance?

But therein lies the problem.

Dani Alves' U-turn to sign a new contract likely sounded the death knell for Douglas' Blaugrana career. Alves will battle it out with new signing Aleix Vidal, and potentially Sergi Roberto, for the right-back slot.

Meaning that once Douglas recovers from his current injury, he'll find himself further down the pecking order than ever.

Adriano Correia

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The second Brazilian full-back to find himself on this list, Adriano's position is every bit as tenuous as Douglas'.

Why?

Unless there is a drastic loss of form or long-term injury for Jordi Alba, the rapid left-sided raider will get the nod each and every time.

Not only that, but B team prospect Alejandro "Alex" Grimaldo is fast coming up on the rails to audition as a suitable replacement for Alba.

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With so much focus at present on the failure of La Masia to bring through players good enough to make their mark, Grimaldo's emergence could be a pivotal moment for the academy.

In so-doing, Correia's options are then severely limited, even taking into account his ability to play on the opposite flank if needed.

Munir El Haddadi

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Munir has never really progressed from his debut match against Elche at the beginning of the 2014/15 season.

In truth, his inclusion at first-team level came out of nowhere.

Most B team watchers would surely have earmarked Jean Marie Dongou for greatness but while the Cameroonian stagnated in his progress, Munir came hurtling through.

But perhaps that was part of the problem. Such a rapid rise had to plateau at some point, and it did—and probably quicker than expected.

Of course, the youngster suffers in precisely the same way that Alexis Sanchez and Pedro Rodriguez did before him.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez will take the front three attacking slots, without question. It leaves very little room for manoeuvre if all three are on top of their game, as they were throughout the latter half of last season.

At this juncture, the trident actually have three more goals between them than Real Madrid and any other side from Europe's top five leagues in 2015.

Munir does at least have age on his side, but not time. He needs to be able to showcase his talent at the earliest opportunity, before lack of confidence and associated issues set in.