After the completion of the much-awaited signing of World Cup winner Rodri, Barcelona now have a midfield that will be the envy of clubs across Europe.
Regular first-team midfield options now include – count them- Rodri, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, Marc Casado, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez. That’s a grand total of eight top-class midfielders, plus Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen who have previously played in defensive midfield.
That is not all, there are also options from La Masia
including Guille Fernandez and Brian Farinas who have been knocking on the doors of the first team, making 12 solid midfield options for just three available spots.
Of course the likes of Guille, Farinas, Eric and Christensen will likely not be spending much time in midfield and Casado is reportedly on his way out. However, that still leaves seven world-class midfielders for three spots: so what will be Barca’s starting midfield?
The likely answer is that there will be no ‘starting midfield’ and the combinations will be entirely dependent on the opponent.
Let’s take a look
Against park-the-bus opposition (Getafe, Levante, other lower-half La Liga teams): Rodri, Pedri/Bernal, Olmo
Rodri is the controller who will fit most systems, his calming presence at the base of midfield will free Pedri to go a little further up the field and support attacks. The new signing will therefore play the ‘De Jong role’ but ideally better than the Dutchman.
Pedri will be given the freedom to push a little further up the field, support attacks, and take his laser-guided shots from the edge of the box that often end up in the back of the net, bypassing the parked bus defence entirely. Olmo is one of the best in the world at breaking down stubborn defences, his close-range ball control, space-creation and ability to thread passes through almost no space is almost unmatched.
This was, in fact, Spain’s starting midfield for the early part of the World Cup and how well it works against tight defences was demonstrated against Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia, where the midfield created endless chances, mostly missed by the attackers. Yet a front three of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon should be far more clinical that Mikel Oyarzabal (out of position), Ferran Torres, and Alex Baena.
Bernal, as much as he represents Sergio Busquets, actually plays better as a number 8 and is the perfect option to occasionally give Pedri a breather while holding the same level of on-the-ball domination.
Against free-playing, attacking opposition (Villarreal, Athletic and other top-half La Liga and lower UCL opposition): Pedri, Gavi, Fermin
This may be a controversial take but Rodri, unless in brilliant form, should not start these games. He has recurring fitness issues, is 30 years old and not in prime physical condition to deal with the energy required in such encounters, especially since matches against such opponents often became overly-physical (who remembers Renato Veiga wiping out Lamine Yamal last season?)
Pedri and Gavi provide an excellent mix of composure and energy, calm and storm, to deal with the exact situations that come up in these games and make an excellent double pivot.
The goalscoring, pace and enthusiasm of Fermin also works perfectly here. Just let this trio loose and the goals will follow.
In the biggest games against top-quality, attacking opposition (Real Madrid, Atletico, European knockout ties): Rodri, Pedri, Fermin
Rodri and Pedri as a double pivot is arguably the best in the world (alongside perhaps Vitinha and Joao Neves). The control of the ball will be near unbreakable and then to link this to the attack, Fermin can run for days on end without tiring. Lopez also fights for the badge like no tomorrow, drops deeper for tackles then runs all the way to the box to take rebounds, covers any counterattacks and provides another option for crosses into the box. A perfect blend of defence, attack and control.
De Jong could replace Rodri here, he plays in much the same way, but Rodri has that extra bit of quality that should give him the start. However, if Rodri does need a rest, De Jong is a more than capable alternative when back to full fitness.
In the latter part of games, to see out a narrow lead: Pedri, De Jong, Rodri
Not much explanation needed here. Just try to get the ball off this midfield three, it’ll be like getting sucked into a vacuum, and opponents can’t equalise if they can’t get the ball.
Who remembers how Pedri and De Jong did not allow Newcastle to touch the ball for the entire duration of stoppage time during the 2-1 Champions League win? Now imagine that, but with added Rodri – unstoppable.
The midfield domination in El Clasico should also be a thing of beauty.
Less important ties: Bernal, Casado, Gavi
The backups (Bernal, Casado, Gavi and the Masia boys) can get starts when the first team is rested, likely in midweek league fixtures before big Champions League ties or in the early Copa del Rey rounds. Other than that, most of the players will naturally get some game time nearly every week through substitutions.
What’s your preferred midfield combination for Barcelona now that Rodri has arrived? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
