Ronald Araujo faces an uncertain time at FC Barcelona, despite the fact that he is one of the team’s captains and a vital part of their plans.
The 25-year-old defender has a contract with the team until 2026 and the club has been trying to offer him a new deal for quite a while.
However, Araujo has not yet responded to this new proposal, and with more and more clubs showing interest in him, his future at Barcelona remains uncertain.
As things stand, Barcelona are not very optimistic about Araujo staying beyond this season.
Now, club president Joan Laporta wants him to continue, but the sports management is starting to think that he might be more likely to leave.
They realise that while Araujo is a key player, he could also be sold for a significant amount of money, which could help resolve some of the club’s financial issues.
If Araujo leaves, Barcelona will face a big challenge in figuring out their defence for the next season and on that note, let’s take a closer look at what their defence might look like without him.
Pau Cubarsi leading the charge?
First up, there is Pau Cubarsi. At just 17 years old, he has impressed everyone with his performances this season and he is seen as a crucial player for the future and will likely be a starter next season, no matter who the new manager is.
The big question is who will partner with Cubarsi in defence.
Now, Inigo Martinez has shown great character and ability this season, but at 33 years old, his age and injury history make it risky for Barcelona to rely on him as a consistent starter.
Therefore, the team might view Martinez more as a backup rather than a primary option.
This brings us to Andreas Christensen.
The former Chelsea defender has done very well in his new role as a defensive midfielder, but it is expected that he will return to his usual centre-back position next season once Barcelona find a new player for the pivot role.
If that happens, Christensen would likely partner with Cubarsi in central defence.
Will Kounde be a centre-back?
Jules Kounde is another option, but he seems to be settling into the right-back position.
The Frenchman has performed well there for both Barcelona and his national team and he appears to be dedicated to this new role, which means he will continue as a right-back alongside Hector Fort, while Alejandro Balde and Joao Cancelo will cover the left side.
If Araujo does leave, Barcelona will likely also rely on Eric Garcia, who spent this season on loan at Girona. Although Girona want to sign Garcia permanently, Barcelona might not be willing to let him go due to their need for defensive players.
In this scenario, Garcia would be expected to stay and complete Barcelona’s defence for the next season.
Lastly, Mikayil Faye has made a name for himself while playing for the youth team this season and there are reports that while he continues to face an uncertain future, Barcelona are still planning on promoting him to the first team.
In summary, while Ronald Araujo’s future at Barcelona is uncertain, the club is preparing for various possibilities.
They have young talent like Pau Cubarsi ready to step up, experienced players like Inigo Martinez and Andreas Christensen to provide stability, and versatile options like Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia to ensure depth.
The situation is complex, but the management will need to make careful decisions to maintain a strong defensive lineup for the coming season.
