What would Barcelona’s line up look like with Neymar and Griezmann. With Griezmann and reportedly heading to Camp Nou what formation and line up will Barcelona field in the upcoming season.
Barcelona have only made one buy in 2019: Frenkie de Jong. The 22-year-old was bought back in January and since then, no other sale has been made yet. However, multiple reports have surfaced, which heavily suggest that Barcelona could bring Antoine Griezmann and Neymar to Camp Nou this season.
Also read: Inter Milan offer two key players to Manchester United as part of their Lukaku transfer deal
Atletico president, Gil Martin had earlier said: “I am very clear about where Griezmann is going to play. It has been known since March. He’s going to Barcelona.”
While Neymar has reportedly regretted moving to PSG and has been trying to force a move back to Catalonia. In fact, Catalan newspaper Sport have reported that Neymar and Barcelona have reached a verbal agreement over a contract offer.
Barcelona could let go of either or both Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele to help facilitate those deals. But with a line-up that could consist of Messi, Suarez, Griezmann and Neymar, what would the rest of the team look like?
Sport have speculated some formations in which Barcelona can accommodate all 4 of their attacking options. While we have explored the other question; What would Barcelona’s line up look like with Neymar and Griezmann in the team?
4-2-4
Barcelona could play all their top strike options in this formation. Neymar and Griezmann could build play from the left and right wing respectively with Suarez and Messi playing as Center Forwards. While Suarez plays as the focal point of the attack, Messi can operate in the front with more creative freedom. Rakitic and Vidal or Busquets can shoulder the midfield responsibilities. Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet could play as Center Backs with Jordi Alba at Left Back and either Sergi Roberto or Nelson Semedo playing at Right Back.
4-4-2
The defense and midfield will remain the same from the previous formation while Neymar and Griezmann drop down a little and play as Wing Midfielders instead to ensure Barcelona do not feel a little thin in the midfield. This position also allows them to fall back on the 4-2-4 formation if and when required.
4-2-3-1
Alba, Pique, Lenglet and Roberto or Semedo will continue to play their roles. Neymar and Griezmann can continue to operate from the wings. Messi could drop a little back and play as a deep no.10 in this formation. With his role more defined, Messi could control the game from this position. Rakitic would mane the Midfield by himself while Busquets plays behind him as the Defensive Midfielder or Arturo could partner him in the middle.
4-3-3
This is Barcelona’s most preferred formation. However, this ensures that one of their 4-star players will miss out. In such a scenario the one most likely to be left out will be Suarez. Neymar and Griezmann can control the left and right flanks respectively. That leaves only one place in the center for either Messi or Suarez. If Barcelona chooses to play in this formation, then it is a no brainer that Messi will be preferred over Suarez. The Argentine magician will don the role of the False 9 and play between Neymar and Griezmann. The trio of Vidal, Rakitic and Busquets could play in the midfield with the latter playing behind Rakitic and Vidal as the defensive midfielder. The rest of the defense picks itself from the previous formations.
