Barcelona’s struggles this season can be largely attributed to collective discord and a lack of clear identity. However, the absence of a natural defensive midfielder has arguably been the most significant factor behind their shortcomings.
Failing to replace Sergio Busquets with stop-gap solutions last year, the Catalans have finally deemed it necessary to acquire the signing of a high-profile pivot this summer.
But with financial limitations and minimal options to choose from, they face a daunting challenge in securing the right profile.
Barca News Bulletin takes a deep dive into the candidates on Barcelona’s radar.
Matts Weiffer
The Feyenoord midfielder exudes confidence and composure on the ball. Wieffer’s spatial awareness and positional IQ enable him to find space, positioning himself to lose his marker and gain time when receiving the ball.
When Wieffer is in possession, he constantly looks to advance play. With 8.03 progressive passes per game, he ranks ahead of all the other names on this list. His acute awareness ensures he knows when he has limited time, often opting for quick, first-time passes to preserve possession.
Moreover, Weiffer is an excellent controller who recognizes how to meddle with the game’s tempo, which is ideal for a team like Barcelona that can often plummet into chaos.
Despite his high ceiling as a single pivot, Weiffer can often fall victim to being overly aggressive and front-footed. This can leave the midfield exposed if mistimed, making it easy for opponents to bypass the mid-block.
But off the ball, his 2.85 tackles per game and 1.75 interceptions indicate his positional sense is strong and he knows where to station himself.
In fairness, the low level of competition in the Dutch league slightly diminishes his quality, but Weiffer’s fundamentals are very promising and align with Barcelona’s needs for the defensive midfield position.
Martin Zubimendi
Zubimendi’s poise in the build-up phase is what particularly sets him apart. He is press-resistant and able to find solutions with ease as the first receiver.
Moreover, his passing range is diverse and he can play some great through balls. Still, Zubimendi’s volume of passes is significantly low and he does not handle a large chunk of Sociedad’s progression.
Off the ball, his defensive discipline is something Barcelona could really make do with as he blocks passing lanes smartly.
But the 25-year-old is not the most physically strong player and can struggle to win duels against pacy forwards.
While Zubimendi does most of the basics correctly, to label him a truly elite defensive midfielder would be a stretch.
Considering Barcelona simply needs someone who keeps things ticking, it is not an issue but the Spaniard’s asking price raises concerns.
Amadou Onana
Amadou is a duel-winning monster, a dependable presence when the team needs someone to break up opposition play and regain control of the midfield.
His proactive style allows him to intercept passes and recover loose balls effectively. In fact, he wins 3 tackles per game, which places him in the 90th percentile among all center midfielders.
On the ball, Onana is capable of inflicting great damage with his ball-carrying ability as he can cover large distances instantaneously and prove valuable in transition situations.
Though, two main concerns arise with Onana: positional indiscipline and minimal ball retention. Due to his front-footed style, Onana can often jeopardize the team’s structure.
Moreover, Onana will only be in his element alongside a player more comfortable on the ball as is not the most press-resistant and lacks an elite passing range.
Given the club’s lack of physicality, though, Onana certainly solves Barcelona’s biggest concern.
Joshua Kimmich
The German would undeniably be one of the best creators at Barcelona if he ends up joining, but considering that is not the Catalans’ immediate priority, Kimmich is not worth investing in.
With his staggeringly low 0.68 interceptions per 90, Kimmich is simply not the solution to Barcelona’s defensive woes. He is a player who has good positional sense but prefers playing off a natural defensive midfielder in a double pivot.
While pairing him with either Andreas Christensen or Guido Rodriguez would make sense, the Catalans can opt for other options like Pedri, Gavi, or Ilkay Gundogan.
As such, focusing on a defensively robust player would be the smartest course of action.
Guido Rodriguez
The signing of Guido Rodriguez is already very advanced. Reliable reports
have argued that Barcelona and Rodriguez have already agreed upon a
two-year contract with an option to extend.
Considering Barcelona are signing him on a free transfer and intend to
still sign a ‘top pivot’ afterward, this is a great acquisition.
Guido Rodríguez is the only La Liga midfielder to rank in the 90+ percentile
for both defensive actions and duel win rate
What is certain is that the Argentine World Cup winner offers protection
in front of the back-line with good recovery pace and duel timing.
However, Guido can get frazzled under pressure and also is far from being a
reliable avenue for progression. He has no scope as a single pivot but can
prove his worth alongside a creative player.
