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FC Barcelona should sell Marc Bartra

By Vijay Vemu

(L-R) Marc Barta of FC Barcelona, Pjanic of AS Roma during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between Barcelona and AS Roma on August 5, 2015 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(L-R) Marc Barta of FC Barcelona, Pjanic of AS Roma during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between Barcelona and AS Roma on August 5, 2015 at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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It may be time for FC Barcelona to move on from the 25-year-old defender 

It is no secret that the weakest link in the FC Barcelona side is their defense. Now that may seem like a criticism at first but when the defense is talked about in comparison to the attack and the midfield, it is easy to see why many would think that. But it has been a good season for the Catalan defense as they have given up just 24 goals this season, good for second in Spain. Guided by the likes of Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, and the eccentric Dani Alves, the Barcelona defense has held their own this season.

Part of that can be pointed towards their tendency to dominate possession and allow their opposition a little of the ball as possible, but credit should be given to the defenders as well. They have made some big time tackles and blocks to help keep the ball out of their goal this season. Although that hasn’t stopped them from leaking a goal through once in a while. But overall it has been a solid season for the Barcelona defense.

Luis Enrique has stuck with his main defenders a lot this season no matter the game. Mascherano has started 35 games and Pique has started 38 games at the back. This leaves the rest of the backup centerbacks to fight for whatever game time is left. Thomas Vermaelen, Jeremy Mathieu, and Marc Bartra are all left to battle for that time.

Mathieu has an advantage over the two as he has the ability to also play fullback so that leaves both Bartra and Vermaelen in a race for second. It appears that Vermaelen is winning that race. Luis Enrique has started the Belgian five more times over Bartra, the Barcelona youngster, and it appears he trusts Vermaelen over Bartra.

With that being said, it may be time for Barcelona to move on from Marc Bartra.

Once hailed the future of the Catalan backline, Bartra has seemed to fall out of form with Luis Enrique due to some really bad form. Bartra’s poor decision-making and a couple of really bad mistakes have led to the Catalans giving up some really bad goals. This includes Barcelona’s 4-0 beating they suffered from the hands of Athletic Bilbao, a game that Bartra started.

The Catalans are also shopping for centerbacks in the transfer market, supposedly closing in Athletic’s Aymeric Laporte. The French defender and Barcelona have expressed mutual interest and a move in the summer could be in the works. Barcelona are also supposedly interested in PSG’s Marquinhos.

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With him getting almost little to no playing time right now and with the possibility of new signings coming in, a move away from the Camp Nou would be the best thing for Bartra. A number of Premier League clubs have reportedly expressed interest in Bartra and if the Catalans can get a solid fee for him, the transfer would be a success.

Maybe the expectations were too high on Bartra or maybe it was poor timing, but the defender has been poor for the Catalans this season. The result of that has been less playing time and for a player at the age of 25, he can’t be hindering his career by staying on the bench. A move away from Barcelona is necessary for him.

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