Rumours of Barcelona’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Yes, the kings of Catalonia have endured their worst start to a La Liga season since Louis van Gaal was at the helm in 2002. Yes, Ronald Koeman has yet to find a way to unlock the mercurial genius of Lionel Messi in his athletic, high-octane system.
But while one glittering, trophy-laden era is coming to an end so unsatisfying it makes Game Of Thrones season 8 look like a masterpiece in curtain-closing, a new, exciting generation of talent is emerging at Camp Nou.
The transition from Sergio Busquets to Frenkie de Jong has continued and quickened under Koeman – formerly De Jong’s coach for the Netherlands national team.
Teenagers Pedri and Francisco Trincao are sparkling sporadically in blue and red, while Barca’s player of the season so far isn’t Messi but 18-year-old sensation Ansu Fati, a one-man record-obliterating machine.
There’s Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo and Riqui Puig too, while Konrad de la Fuente and Ilaix Moriba have given hope of a renaissance for the iconic La Masia academy.
But if there’s one area in Koeman’s squad still in need of a boost, it’s the one Jordi Alba has made his own during eight sensational years.
The five-time La Liga champion is still arguably the finest, most creative left-back in world football. However, his once searing pace has declined as he approaches his 32nd birthday, while positional issues at the other end have become increasingly apparent.
Back-up Junior Firpo, meanwhile, is simply not up to the task of stepping into Alba’s shoes long-term.
The same can’t be said, however, of a man BILD refers to as “Barca’s dream signing”. The £25 million-rated Angelino was linked with none other than Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United in September (Sun, 25th, page 54) but could soon end up at Camp Nou, via Leipzig.
On current form, Angelino is Europe’s finest left-back. The irony of such a statement won’t be lost on Manchester City – the club that let Angelino go not once but twice, all the while desperately trying to persist with the rarely fit Benjamin Mendy.
In 11 games, the Spaniard has five goals this season, following up a Bergkamp-esque effort Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann called “world class” in the Champions League with a glorious free-kick against Freiburg at the weekend (Goal).
But with Barca fluttering their eyelashes in Angelino’s direction, will Newcastle and Man City soon be left wondering what might have been?
Angelino, after all, is everything Barcelona could possibly want from a full-back. He’s blessed with boundless energy, devilish crossing ability and a ravenous appetite for self-improvement.
Who knows, perhaps he could even take over free-kick duties when Messi swaps his studs for slippers?
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