5 right-backs Barcelona could sign as Vidal’s replacement

FC Barcelona are currently not in their best position so far this season, at least not in La Liga as their terrible 0-0 draw against Málaga last week made them fall four points behind leaders and arch-rival Real Madrid at the top of the log.

Barça are currently not playing their best football and even if they’re still in a good position to win every trophy they’re in, they aren’t getting results in beautiful fashion. This can be blamed on a variety of factors of which one could be the lack of depth in two important position of the team’s setup, the defensive midfield and the right-back position, but it’s the latter we’ll focus on today.

Sergi Roberto hasn’t done a bad job since Luis Enrique gave him the mantle to rule that position after Dani Alves left the club to join Juventus in the summer. The Spaniard has featured in almost all games he was available for selection and this is mainly because his only backup and threat, Aleix Vidal has fallen out of favour with coach Luis Enrique.

Vidal and Luis Enrique seem to have a bad relationship which has led to the former Sevilla right-back losing his confidence as he’s only featured in one game this season. Rumours has it that Aleix Vidal is set to leave the club in January and a host of clubs in Italy and France are interested in signing him. The question is who will replace the player if he leaves in January, here are possible options.

1. DARIJO SRNA – SHAKHTAR DONETSK
Srna is one of Europe’s best right-backs in modern football. He is a veteran in the game, something Barça might just want in the player they would sign to replace Vidal. Srna is currently out of contract at Shakhtar and can join Barcelona for free in January. The Catalan giants might just want to offer him a 2-year contract for him and Sergi Roberto to man that position until a youngster from the B-team is matured enough to take that spot to the next level.

Personally, it appears Srna would fancy a move to the Camp Nou, a club he’s praised so many times in the past and would see it as a dream to wear their Jersey and play alongside the best players in the world. The 34-year old Croatian is logically the most likely option for Barça given that he’s cheap for his quality and a veteran.

Likelihood of transfer: 8/10

2. JOÃO CANCELO – VALENCIA
This is the most realistic option if Barça were to go for a player who isn’t a veteran as Darijo Srna. Cancelo is versatile, can play as a right back and as a right sided midfielder, he’s still 22 and would be a perfect choice for Barça. It is however very unlikely for Barça to sign him in January but I would put my money on him joining the club if they could wait until next summer. He’s strong, technical, fast and intelligent and has a lot of potentials in him. One for the future.

Likelihood of transfer: 5/10 in January, 8/10 in the summer.

3. HECTOR BELLERIN – ARSENAL
The former Barça star is that guy everyone thinks is most likely to join Barça and solve their right-back problems… but there has been a blow, he’s signed a contract extension to commit his future to the London club and prior to that, he’s been saying some unimpressive things about the possibility of him returning to the Camp Nou and personally, I don’t see him ever returning and don’t want him. Bellerin is still young, talented and is well known for his lightening pace of which aspect he’s probably the best, but it’s very unlikely he joins.

Likelihood of transfer: 3/10

4. BRUNO PERES – AS ROMA

One of the new names to make Barça’s wishlist accoring to reports is AS Roma’s 26-year old wing-back Bruno Peres. The Brazilian player is on loan from Torino and reports from Italy, Spain and even England have linked him to the club, something which, for now, seems unlikely to happen.

Likelihood of transfer: 4/10

5. STEPHAN LICHTSTEINER – JUVENTUS

Another veteran, and the man Juventus signed Dani Alves to replace. Lichtsteiner is 32 and has fallen off the pecking orders in Turin. Rumours link him to Barça but he just should not happen. Definitely won’t, but then who knows.

Likelihood of transfer: 2/10

Personally, as a lover of the youth system and one who is very inclined to the ethics of the club, I know there’s a good right-back in the B team in Sergi Palencia, so I’d sign Srna in January if Vidal is to leave, hand him a 1.5-year contract, promote Palencia at the end of the season, by the time Srna runs out of contract, Palencia would’ve been fully groomed to making history at the club. But there is also another option in keeping Aleix Vidal and building his confidence once again, he’s a great player and this is also very likely to happen.