Why Arda Turan Will Be Barcelona's Player to Watch in 2016

Arda Turan made a big sacrifice in the summer, deciding to sit out six months of football to move to his dream club, FC Barcelona.

The Atletico Madrid star put pen to paper on a €34 million move, knowing he would not be able to feature until Barcelona's FIFA ban on registering players was over.

That shows the enthusiasm he had to sign for the club, and it is clear that the Catalan outfit really is the one side he has wanted to play for all his life.

Arda also knew he was heading to a team where playing opportunities have to be earned.

To be a regular first-teamer, he has to outplay one of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Andres Iniesta or Ivan Rakitic. Otherwise, he will just be playing a bit-part role, and given his talents, that would be a waste.

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Luis Enrique has confirmed that Arda and Aleix Vidal, the other summer signing, will feature in some respect when Barcelona take on Espanyol on Wednesday night at Camp Nou in the Copa del Rey.

He said, per Javier Giraldo of Sport: "I see they are both well. They will form part of the side, they are in the squad and will feature against Espanyol.

"They will have the chance to wear the Barcelona shirt in an official game."

Barcelona could have done with a bit of Arda's fight in the league clash against their rivals on Saturday, which finished goalless at Cornella.

It will be interesting to see how Arda fits in at Barcelona. The Turkish star became a key influence at Atletico slowly, someone renowned for his cool and calm, even in high-pressure situations.

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He helped Atletico win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup, mixing graft with craft, technically excellent but able to scrap like his life depends on it.

The player reckons he can feature in the same side as the trident and Iniesta, saying, per Richard Martin of UEFA: "Why can't the five of us play together? Here you will see that we can. And I hope we do."

Arda's former coach Carles Cuadrat wrote for Sport how the Barcelona DNA has always been part of the Turk's game.

"

When a good exchange of passes was done, he shouted "Ole!" and looked at Albert [Roca, another coach] and me, saying "Like Xavi, like Iniesta!"

[I] have no doubt that Arda has been a lover of Barcelona's game since childhood, and for him to play against them in Spain, and fight for leagues and cups like in recent years, is a very special thing for him. To sign for them and be a Barcelona player is the culmination of a dream career.

"

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Unsurprisingly, a huge chunk of Barcelona’s goals come from the striking trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez. Of the 180 they scored in 2015, 137 were netted by the South Americans, 76 per cent of the total. 

What Barcelona could do with is some added goal threat. Rakitic hit seven, but Turan will be hoping he can provide more than that if given the chance.

This time last year Arda was throwing boots against Barcelona. On Wednesday night he will be wearing them as a Blaugrana star. Watching how he fits in and if he can command a regular first-team role will be fascinating.