FC Barcelona Preseason: Grading Barça's 10 Best Players This Offseason
FC Barcelona's preseason is over, and it's time to start the season once again. But who where the best performing players this offseason for Barça?
Truth is, the Blaugrana weren't in their top form this offseason. There is some truth that much of that is due to the heavy inclusion of Barcelona B players in the squad, but even then, Pep Guardiola's boys just weren't up to their usual standard.
That said, some players have been very good this preseason and have made some very promising performances.
Start the slideshow to find out who they are!
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10. Jonathan Dos Santos
1 of 10Best performance: 2-2 overtime win versus Internacional
Goals scored this preseason: one goal and one penalty
Sweet and sour preseason for Giovani's younger brother. Jonathan was fantastic as a midfielder, even scoring a goal against Internacional.
However, he was horrible as a right-back. If anything, he proved he could be used there (in a crisis, at least).
Not good, clearly. But not so bad either, I guess.
Preseason grade: C
9. Ibrahim Afellay
2 of 10Best performance: 0-0 against Hajduk Split
Goals scored this preseason: Zero
Ibrahim Afellay seemed to be way more comfortable with the Barça way of life and was very close to scoring many times this preseason...until he got injured, that is.
So while he had some good flashes, his injury sadly takes all the hard work and buries it deep.
Preseason grade: B-
8. Seydou Keita
3 of 10Best performance: 2-0 against Club América
Goals scored this preseason: One
Seydou Keita is not flashy. But oh my, is he solid.
He was his usual self this preseason, rounding it out with a goal against América for good measure.
Preseason grade: B
7. Victor Valdes
4 of 10Best performance: 2-0 against Club América
Goals scored this preseason: Zero
I am glad Victor Valdés is Barcelona's starting goalkeeper. I might be saying this because Pinto had a nightmare of a preseason this year.
He wasn't falshy, but he didn't miss either. Truth is, even though he has his doubters, Valdés has proven to be solid.
At least more solid than Pinto.
Preseason grade: B
6. Eric Abidal
5 of 10Best performance: defeat 1-4 against Chivas
Goals scored this preseason: Zero
Abidal had a cancer tumor removed less than eight months ago. You'd swear that didn't happen.
I think it's fair to say Abi's back, and he put solid performances both at centre-back and left-back.
When he left the pitch against Chivas, the defense crumbled.
With him on the eleven, Barcelona is a better team.
Preseason grade: B+
5. Sergi Gomez
6 of 10Best performance: 2-0 against Club América
Goals scored this preseason: Zero
Out of any defender not named Eric Abidal or Gerard Piqué, Sergi Gómez was clearly the best one, which really says more about Andreu Fontás than about Gomez himself.
Still, his good performances should count for something for Pep Guardiola too.
Preseason grade: B+
4. Isaac Cuenca
7 of 10Best performance: 0-0 tie versus Hajduk Split
Goals scored this preseason: Zero
Isaac Cuenca went from unknown player loaned-out to Sabadell to first team candidate in under a month.
He has lots of Pedro in him, and while he's not as purely talented as some of the other players from Barça B, his work ethic and understanding of how a winger plays for Pep Guardiola seems to be unrivaled.
Expect him to see minutes with the first team.
Preseason grade: B+
3. Gerard Deulofeu
8 of 10Best performance: 2-0 against Club América
Goals scored this preseason: Zero
Just a week after being a star on his own with Spain at the U19 Euro, Deulofeu joined Barça in the US and made a name for himself with some dazzling displays.
The assist he contributed for Barcelona's two-nil against América was just fantastic.
I'll put it this way: I never saw Bojan or Jeffrén do something like that.
Something tells me he'll see some minutes with the First Team this season.
But he'll break some hips with his dribbling in the Liga Adelante for sure.
Preseason grade: A-
2. David Villa
9 of 10Best performance: 2-0 victory against Club America
Goals scored this preseason: Two
After heaving an "average" first season by his standards, David Villa had a fantastic preseason with the Blaugrana.
He has been dangerous in all of Barcelona's preseason matches and he seems to have gotten the hang of beating the offside-trap while playing for Barça, creating lots of chances in what could be a very valuable asset for Pep Guardiola this season.
Maravilla's also been quite dangerous on free-kicks and long-distance shots, which makes me wonder why he's not taken more of those instead of Messi, Dani Alves and Xavi.
If anything, it would have been great if he scored one more goal or two.
Overall, one of the best preseasons this year.
Preseason grade: A-
1. Thiago Alcantara
10 of 10Best performance: 2-0 against Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup title win.
Goals scored this preseason: Four
Thiago was amazing. If there was talk of him being better than Cesc, now there's just no way to stop them from saying it.
Truth is, Thiago has arrived. He's not a promising prospect anymore; he's reality.
That said (and nitpicking, of course), he still lost a couple of dangerous balls and needs to improve the mental side of the game.
But I don't recall a preseason like this.
Ever.
Preseason grade: A+
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