Who is the solution to Barcelona’s right-back problem?

Barcelona have started their season and put in decent performances in their 2 preseason games to date. However cules still want some changes made to the squad before the new season. One of those changes is a need for a good right-full-back.

Let’s take a look at the options available to Barcelona in that position:

Nelson Semedo:

The Portuguese full back has not been convincing in that role since joining from Benfica in the summer of 2017 failing to replace Dani Alves at RB. He is largely at fault for the 8–2 hammering at the hands of Bayern Munich and cules understandably have lost patience with him.

He is suspect defensively and his attacking output is decent at best as he recorded only 6 assists in 42 appearances at a rate of 498 minutes per assist.

Semedo will be 27 this year and this season could be his last to show that he deserves to put on the Blaugrana jersey.

Sergi Roberto:

Sergi Roberto has deputized on the right of defense for a few seasons now. At times he has been the first choice in that position which is largely due to Semedo under-performing. Roberto is a natural midfielder that has adapted to playing at right-back due to lack of options.

Last season, he started out in midfield but was soon moved back to right back partly due to the poor performances of Semedo.

Roberto offers more solidity at the back as he has incredible ball awareness and is very good at tracking back, however he is not as good in attacking the flanks and posing a threat from there as he prefers to drift inward and join the midfield.

Moussa Wague:

A lot of cules might not know about Wague because he has barely featured for the first team. He played in the last match of the group stage of last season’s Champions league against an Inter team desperate for qualification and performed brilliantly.

The 21-year old Senegalese was ‘rewarded’ with a loan move away from the club in January to his former club, OGC Nice. At Nice he went on to make to make 5 appearances, starting in just 2 and he had 1 assist each in the matches he started in ending the season with a rate of 189 minutes per assist.

Wague is a combative full-back who is very effective going forward and doesn’t get caught up-field in case the opponent counters. He is fast, strong, has good defensive awareness and creates chances.

I don’t know what plans Barcelona have for Wague but he could be the solution to our problems on that wing and we can finally stop missing Dani Alves.

Sergiño Dest:

Dest is a 19-year old full back on the books of Ajax who has been attracting interest from quite a number of clubs. Barcelona are among the teams said to be in pursuit of the American youngster.

Dest had a good season with Ajax and was one of the revelation of last season. He recorded 6 assists in 36 appearances at a rate of 455 minutes per assist.

Although the youngster has potential, but at 19 it might be a huge ask for him to change scenes and that might reflect in his performances as the expectation in Barcelona would be way more than anything he has experienced.

Conclusion: Sergi Roberto should be used in midfield. Barcelona should promote Wague fully to the first team as he would rival Semedo for a starting spot and would win the heart of Barcelona fans in no time. However, If the club gets a good offer for Semedo, he should be sold with Dest brought in as replacement.