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Should Barcelona sell Dani Alves?

By Vijay Vemu

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23 : Dani Alves of FC Barcelona takes a throw in during the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal and Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23 : Dani Alves of FC Barcelona takes a throw in during the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal and Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Should Barcelona sell their starting right back at the right price?

Dani Alves has been a consistent figure at Barcelona for quite some time. Ever since he transferred over from Sevilla in 2008, the Brazilian has been a mainstay at the right back position. Known for being more attacking than defensive, he has been a good spark plug down the right side for Barcelona. His ability to get up and down the pitch with his pace helps augment his style.

At the end of games it turns out to be crucial as we saw two years ago against Manchester City in the Champions League. It was Alves’s late goal against the tired legs of City that gave Barcelona their second away goal and essentially ended the tie.

He was even better last year as he helped lead Barcelona to the treble. He was one of the best right backs in world football, if not the best. It was his interception of Bernat’s pass in the first leg of the semi-final tilt against Bayern Munich that led to the first of two amazing goals by Lionel Messi. He also became one of five Barcelona players to be a part of both treble winning teams in the club’s history. He has became easily one of the best right backs in Barcelona history.

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However his time may in the Camp Nou may be up. He almost left last year after the treble winning season but ultimately made the right decision to return. Alves was heavily linked to the likes of PSG and it seemed that Alves was set to join the French giants. Barcelona were able to secure him on a two year deal just days after they beat Juventus in the UEFA Champions League Final but that still hasn’t stopped the talk about him leaving the club.

With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2017, Barcelona could cash in on Alves as his price tag is the highest it will be for the rest of his career. At the age of 32, Alves isn’t getting any younger and it could be in the best interest of him and the club that they part ways. We already know Barcelona are looking towards the future at the right back spot.

The Catalans recently brought in Aleix Vidal from Sevilla and Douglas from Brazil this summer. Although Douglas hasn’t played much due to injury and poor form, Vidal has gotten his run of games, especially in 2016. Vidal most recently started in Barcelona’s last game against Sevilla. With his speed and youth, he is only 26-years-old, Vidal is slowly gaining Luis Enrique’s trust.

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Barcelona have also been linked to Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin. Bellerin was once a part of Barcelona’s famous youth academy but moved from the Camp Nou in 2011. He has slowly developed into one of the best young right backs in the Premier League. With his speed as his greatest assest, Bellerin has showed his class this year. He even played well against Barcelona as he shut down Neymar, one of the best wingers in the world last week. He could very well be on his way back to the Camp Nou in a couple of years or even this summer.

Alves can still bring quality to a team. His ability to get forward into attack quickly and then get back defensively almost just as fast is amazing. He seems to know exactly the right time to go up in attack and has certainly created his fair share of chances this season but his time in the Camp Nou may be up. It will be a tough choice for the Catalans but they may to have to sell someone who has been a staple at the club since 2008.

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