FC Barcelona players are having the season of a lifetime under Hansi Flick. It will not be an exaggeration to say that teammates, particularly Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, are competing for the Ballon Dor. But which player has had the most impact on Barca this season and has put out the best performances?
The Starboy Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal has been more than exceptional for Barca this season. The teenage sensation has shocked the world time and time again with the ball at his feet since his debut under Xavi Hernandez. Jogo Bonito is well and truly alive through Lamine as he makes the world and Culers nostalgic about prime Neymar days. Lamine Yamal has 11 goals and 13 assists in 31 games this season for Barcelona, which for a 17-year-old are record-breaking numbers. When nothing can break opposition defenses, the starboy opens them up and gives Barca the creativity and unpredictability, which is so rare in the modern game. No player in the top 5 Leagues this season has more dribbles than Barcelona’s 17-year-old prodigy.
The return of Robert Lewangoalski
Robert Lewandowski has been a decent striker for FC Barcelona since his signing, but the Culers were expecting much more from him than what he had produced till last season. Under Hansi Flick Lewandowski has rediscovered his best form netting 31 goals in 33 game. The polish striker has shown up in big games vs Bayern and Real Madrid, scoring 3 goals in 2 games against the Los Blancos. Lewandowski is now the striker that deserves to wear the no.9 jersey of Blaugrana more than anyone else.
Raphinha’s redemption arc
Raphinha‘s time at Barcelona was far from perfect until the arrival of Hansi Flick. Fans criticized the Brazilian for the lack of goal contributions not “good enough” to wear the iconic 11 of Barca that the likes of Neymar had. The Brazilian faced insults such as “fake Brazilian” and fans posting Nico Williams’ name on his no.11 jersey. Under Hansi Flick he his performances have unbelievably improved, so much so that Raphinha is competing with fellow teammate Lewandowski and Liverpool’s Salah for the Ballon Dor. The Brazilian has already surpassed goal contributions of Vinicius Jr’s “Ballon dor” season.
Pedri Potter breaks free of his injury crisis
Ronald Koeman did not have a successful time as the manager of FC Barcelona. However, there is something he did for Barca that the Culers will forever be thankful for. Signing a skinny teenager from Las Palmas for just 5m euros. It was fairly obvious to the Culers that Pedri was capable of following in the footsteps of Xavi and Iniesta, but injuries always held him back. Under Hansi Flick, the Maestro has finally overcome his injury curse and is shining on football’s biggest stages.
For me, he is unarguably the best and the most complete midfielder in the world this season. Pedri is like a general on the pitch for Barca; he decides when the team attacks and how it attacks; he decides when to slow the game down with his “La Pausa” abilities. The magician controls the tempo of the game better than any midfielder. While also being excellent in defending purely because of his footballing genius.
People often compare him to Andres Iniesta, but I see him as a combination of Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets. That is not to say that he is as good as any of them, because he still has a lot to prove to get on their level. By that I mean he has Busquets ability to get out of pressure, Xavi’s vision and Iniesta’s dribbling.
Lamine Yamal has had poor performances where he has failed to influence the game. Raphinha and Lewandowski have been unclinical in front of the goal like the game against Atletico Madrid. Defenders have made individual mistakes, but there is one gem that has consistently shone in the Blaugrana colors; Pedri. The magician has put on masterclass after masterclass this season and will surely make Ballon dor’s top 5 if he keeps doing what he’s doing and Barca wins trophies.
Who do you think has been the best player for Barca this season so far and why? Let me know in the comments below.