Who should be Barcelona’s centre-backs for the new season?

There are a number of decisions that Hansi Flick will need to make over the course of the next few weeks in order that his Barcelona squad can hit the ground running from the first La Liga game of the 2024/25 season.

Club finances will arguably dictate what he’s able to do in the transfer window, and that could well set the tone for the start of the campaign.

It seems that Messrs. Laporta and Deco know what they’d like to be able to do with Flick at the helm, but whether they’ll be able to do it is another question entirely.

One particular situation that needs clarifying is who is going to be the German coach’s centre-backs for next season.

At the time of writing, Flick has an astonishing eight players to choose from, albeit some are destined to be sold.

Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Clement Lenglet, Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez, Eric Garcia and Mikayil Faye will all lay claim to the spots available.

Unless Flick sees something in Lenglet that no one else has for a while, then a move – perhaps to the Saudi Pro League – is what’s in store for the Frenchman.

Mikayil Faye has done brilliantly for Barcelona Atletic and has been tipped to be part of the first team squad. Offers are also expected for the teenager but keeping hold of him and promoting him to the first-team squad looks a wise move.

There are still doubts that the club can find a solution for Ronald Araujo, and while he will almost certainly take a starting spot, it’s possible that he might not be around for the start of the season.

Jules Kounde has endured something of a mixed season but he will always have the argument that he’s been played out of position on the right. Would we see a better version of him were he stationed in his rightful position? Debatable, but he probably deserves a run there to silence the doubters.

Eric Garcia was brilliant while on loan for Girona, and just might have played himself back into the thoughts of everyone at the club. With a year’s worth of appearances behind him, he’s become less rash, more accomplished and definitely more consistent.

Inigo Martinez is too slow and cumbersome to be considered as a starter next season, despite the ability to ping a long ball to feet. He needs more than that in his game to edge ahead of his contemporaries. The fact he’s not registered for next season may also be a factor when it comes to finalising the squad.

Andreas Christensen has been used in midfield to allow for injuries not to affect the equilibrium of the squad, however, when everyone’s fit he will be shuttled back into defence.

With his calmness on the ball, his ability to play out from the back and his excellence at both ends of the pitch, the former Chelsea man would be one of my picks.

The other would be one of the players of last season in Pau Cubarsi. While not ignoring his age and potential for burn out, the 17-year-old has been simply sensational.

His timing, ability to mark some of European football’s top strikers out of a game and general all round play mean that he has to be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Not being picked for the Euros is of obvious benefit to Barca too.

Which center-backs do you think should be in the Barca squad next season and who should be offloaded? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!