Barcelona Team News Page 15 - Soccer

Alejandro Balde - Held starting role until injury Balde appeared in 18 games (15 starts), registering one assist on 13 chances created to go along with 19 clearances, 20 tackles and 37 crosses.

Impact Balde looked to be set for another season as a regular starter for the club, as he started the season in a starting role, but that was quickly halted after going down with a hamstring injury in January that would require surgery, leaving him out until next campaign. When he was fit, the defender was solid, adding a decent contribution to the attack and defense. He signed a contract until 2028 last season, so he should be expected to return to the club and starting spot once he is fully recovered from his injuries.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Martinez - Rotational role in club debut Martinez appeared in 20 games (13 starts), registering 10 tackles, 11 interceptions and 50 clearances.

Impact Martinez had a limited role in his first season with the Catalonian club, mainly serving in a rotational role after starting about half of his appearances. He is likely to be stuck in this spot, as he is more of a backup player for the club, and with multiple youth defenders finding their feet at the club, he will probably see limited time next season as well.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Pau Cubarsi Paredes - Assumes starting role Cubarsi appeared in 19 games (18 starts), registering 12 interceptions, 22 tackles and 65 clearances.

Impact Cubarsi did not join the first team until January, but once he did, he was there to stay, earning the starting role for the remainder of the campaign after being one of the club's more solid defenders. He should remain as a starter moving into the new season, especially after signing a new contract with the club in May.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Ronald Araujo - Regular starter in defense Araujo appeared in 25 games (21 starts), registering one goal on 23 shots and two assists on eight chances created to go along with 12 interceptions, 27 tackles and 62 clearances.

Impact Araujo was once again a mainstay in the Barcelona defense, completing his third straight campaign as a starter for the Culer's. He did struggle with a couple of injuries throughout the season but was still decent when on the field, helping the club to seven clean sheets in his 25 appearances. The defender will likely hold the same role next campaign if he remains with the club, but with multiple teams across Europe wanting his talents as Barcelona tries to lower their wage bill, he could be in new colors by the beginning of the next campaign.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Andreas Christensen - Changes position mid-season Christensen appeared in 30 games (27 starts), registering two goals on 12 shots and two assists on seven chances created.

Impact Christensen saw a huge change in his game midway through the campaign, as he shifted from the defense to a role in the central midfield due to multiple injuries affecting the club. However, he never returned to his spot in the defense, instead becoming a mainstay in the midfield. He was decent in the role and could stay there moving forward. However, that will depend on if he stays with the club, as there are reports he could be on his way out with the club trying to lower their wage bill.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Jules Kounde - Another season as everyday starter Kounde appeared in 35 games (32 starts), registering one goal on 24 shots and two assists on 23 chances created to go along with 25 interceptions, 37 tackles and 78 clearances.

Impact Kounde completed his second straight season as a regular starter in the defense for Barcelona after joining the club last season, having a decent campaign serving on the right flank of the defense. He did take a step up from his first season with the club but still is nowhere near the level of play he was accomplishing while with Sevilla. He will likely hold the same starting role next season, although he hopes to return to the form he held during his time with Sevilla.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Gavi - Ends season on injury list Gavi appeared in 12 games (10 starts), notching one goal on nine shots and one assist on 11 chances created.

Impact Gavi's season ended in the worst way possible, as he has not played since November after receiving ACL surgery. That said, there is little to go off for the player's performance this year due to his injury, but he should still be considered one of the rising talents in the football world. That said, he should come back healthy for the start of the next campaign, likely still holding a decent spot moving into the season. However, that will come down to whether he will remain with the team, as many clubs want his presence on their team despite being on contract until 2026 with Barcelona.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Sergi Roberto - Finishes possible final season with club Roberto appeared in 14 games (10 starts), registering three goals on 10 shots and two assists on nine chances created.

Impact Roberto was nothing other than a reserve option for Barcelona this campaign, mainly coming into the team when the club was dealing with injuries or was low on fitness. However, he did make the most of his time on the field, bagging five goal contributions in 863 minutes of play. The defender is now likely to leave at the end of the season, as his contract is set to expire with the club, and he will now test the waters of free agency unless an extension appears.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Oriol Romeu - Spends season in bench role Romeu appeared in 28 games (11 starts), registering one assist on eight chances created to go along with 10 shots, 18 clearances and 34 tackles.

Impact Romeu had a limited role in his first season with Barcelona, to say the least, which is likely what many thought would happen, as he only started in 11 games while mainly being used as a substitute late into games. However, he did still appear in almost every league match, being a decent option to close out games due to his defensive ability, notching 10 interceptions, 18 clearances and 34 tackles in the defense. He still has a couple of years left on his contract with the club, probably serving in the same role next season.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Pedri - Limited due to injuries Pedri appeared in 24 games (16 starts), registering four goals on 15 shots and two assists on 37 chances created.

Impact Pedri was one of the numerous Barcelona midfielders to have their season affected by injuries, as despite being a regular starter, he only appeared 24 times due to missing 18 games with injury. This is his second season in a row, majorly being affected by injuries, with that being the player's biggest issue as he is a great player when fit, being one of the best-rising talents in the midfield. That being said, he will focus on healing up and staying fit during the off-season, likely assuming his starting role back to begin the season if fully healthy.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Frenkie De Jong - Season hindered by injuries De Jong started in all 20 appearances while notching two goals on seven shots to go along with 21 chances created, 25 crosses and 43 tackles.

Impact De Jong had a tough season, to say the least, as he only featured 20 times due to a plethora of injuries, having missed 22 matches with his complications. When he was on the pitch, he was decent, although most of his production came in the defense outside of his two goals, as he registered 14 interceptions, 27 clearances and 43 tackles. He will now look to put the injury problems behind him moving into next season, as he is a regular starter when fit, but more importantly, he will hope to be fit enough to feature with The Netherlands in Euro 2024.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Ilkay Gundogan - Mainstay in midfield Gundogan appeared in 36 games (33 starts), registering five goals on 43 shots and nine assists on 97 chances created.

Impact Gundogan did not miss a beat following his transfer from Manchester City, as he picked up right where he left off after joining Barcelona, being a great playmaker and controller of the field with his 14 goal contributions. He was one of the few players to stay consistent throughout the whole season for the Culers, as he started in almost every match while being possibly one of their best players every game. There should be no chance he gets bounced from his spot next campaign, although he is likely set to start slowing down soon, as he is age 33.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Ferran Torres - Remains in rotational role Torres appeared in 29 games (12 starts), registering seven goals on 38 shots and two assists on 26 chances created.

Impact Torres completed his second full season with Barcelona, once again serving in a rotational role after only starting in about half of his games, just like the previous campaign. However, he did still earn nine goal contributions, earning three more than he did last time around. He will likely remain in this role for the rest of his time with Barcelona, earning time here and there, although there is a chance we could see him exit the club this summer.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Joao Felix - Solid first season as Culer Felix appeared in 30 matches (18 starts), registering seven goals on 61 shots and three assists on 19 chances created.

Impact Felix saw a decent first campaign with his new club, as he began as a regular starter while notching a solid 10 goal contributions in league play. However, he did see a dip in time at the end of the season, only seeing four starts after February following an injury he had just recovered from. He will now hope to gain that spot back to begin the new season, although he will have to compete for that role with multiple talented players around him.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Raphinha - Finishes with 15 goal contributions Raphinha appeared in 28 games (17 starts), registering six goals on 59 shots and nine assists on 41 chances created.

Impact Raphinha saw less time in his second season with the club, as he was included in the heavy rotation Barcelona deployed in the attack this season. However, he still was better this campaign, notching 15 goal contributions compared to his 14 from the last campaign, appearing to be much more effective when on the field this season. He will now hope to return to the starting spot he held before, as at the end of the season, he did see more time, although there is plenty of talent around him to compete with.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Lamine Yamal - Shines in first full season Yamal appeared in 37 matches (22 starts), notching five goals on 58 shots and five assists on 38 chances created.

Impact Yamal was a standout in his first professional season with Barcelona, as he would compile 10 goal contributions in league play while being a regular sight on the field despite being only 16 years of age. He had a great season outside of his goal contributions as well, registering 38 chances created, 58 shots and 87 crosses in the attack to go along with nine clearances, 19 interceptions and 61 tackles in the defense. The forward should be a mainstay at the club moving forward after developing through the youth ranks, as he is likely to be a great player for Barcelona for years to come and possibly could earn a starting spot next season.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Robert Lewandowski - Ends season as leading scorer Lewandowski appeared in 35 games (32 starts), notching 19 goals on 94 shots and eight assists on 27 chances created.

Impact Lewandowski took a step down in his second season with Barcelona, falling three goal contributions short of his 30 from last season. However, he still stood out as a goal scorer, leading the club with his 19. The forward looks to be staying another season with the club despite interest from the Saudi Pro League, likely earning another season as the Culer's starting striker, even though he will be 36 at the start of the next campaign.

MAY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona hires Hansi Flick as coach on a two-year contract after Xavi's exit

Former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick signed a two-year contract with Barcelona on Wednesday, replacing Xavi Hernández.

MAY 29

Barcelona hires Hansi Flick as coach on a two-year contract after Xavi's exit

Hector Fort Garcia - Signs new contract Fort has agreed to a new contract with Barcelona and will remain with the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Impact Fort will not be leaving Barcelona any time soon, as the young talent has signed a new two-year contract. The defender only appeared eight times for the first team this season but should be expected to get more time on the field next campaign, with that looking closer to coming to fruition after signing his contract.

MAY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Will he stay or will he go? How Xavi's sacking may affect Ronald Araujo's future at Barcelona amid Chelsea and Bayern Munich interest | Goal.com US Ronald Araujo's future at Barcelona hinges on whether or not Xavi Hernandez remains at the club, according to reports from Spain.

MAY 27 • GOAL.COM

Ilkay Gundogan - Assists against Sevilla Gundogan assisted once to go with one cross (zero accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 2-1 victory against Sevilla.

Impact Gundogan set up the winner for Fermin in the 59th minute. Gundogan created two chances and made a tackle, a clearance, and an interception. He assisted three goals in his last five appearances. Overall, he scored five goals and provided nine assists in 36 appearances this season, while creating an average of almost three chances per game.

MAY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Joao Cancelo - Sets up goal against Sevilla Cancelo assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-1 win over Sevilla. In addition, he was given a yellow card...

Impact Cancelo set up the opener for Robert Lewandowski in the 15th minute. Cancelo completed two dribbles, made two clearances, one interception and one tackle. In 32 appearances, he averaged over two tackles and a clearance per game, and accumulated two goals and four assists.

MAY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Robert Lewandowski - Scores against Sevilla Lewandowski scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-1 win versus Sevilla.

Impact Lewandowski scored the opener in the 15th minute, assisted by Joao Cancelo. Lewandowski also completed a dribble. Over 35 appearances this season, he scored 19 goals and provided eight assists. He contested for the Pichichi award for much of the season but ultimately missed out.

MAY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - Concedes one against Sevilla ter Stegen made five saves and allowed one goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over Sevilla.

Impact ter Stegen made five saves and a clearance but conceded a goal to Youssef En-Nesyri in the 31st minute. Over the course of the season, he made 75 saves in 28 games and kept 15 clean sheets, one of the highest in the league.

MAY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Just enjoy watching LAMINE YAMAL play 😌✨

MAY 26 • YOUTUBE

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Barcelona hires Hansi Flick as coach on a two-year contract after Xavi's exit