Barcelona: Catalans eye exciting Iniesta replacement

With Barcelona unable to find their rhythm in LA Liga, the Catalonians look to resolve their problems by seeking a replacement for their old talisman Iniesta. 

The rural village of Hoffenheim is hardly the place one expects to find gems or marbles. Especially on a cold autumn afternoon at the PreZero Arena of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. But the Bundesliga fixture between the blues and Schalke saw the emergence of an unpolished diamond.

Playing in the number 25 strip of Schalke, the Moroccan Amine Harit dazzled defenders with his Cruyff turns and eloquent dribbles. It might have been the home side who took the spoils securing a 2-0 victory, but Harit certainly caught the eye.

Just as well for in the ground, and in the stands Harit had some important eyes watching his performance closely. According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona scouts had been sent to run the rule over the Moroccan who has been in impressive form this season.

Harit already has four goals and two assists in just eight appearances in the Bundesliga and has been a revelation for an up and coming Schalke side.

The Barcelona officials must have been impressed, despite the 2-0 loss, Harit made some memorable runs and was a genuine bright spark for Schalke.

It is his impressive form and ingenious style of play which has undoubtedly caught the eye of Barcelona. Harit makes dribbling seem effortless and he has the ability to run past defenders as if they aren’t even there.

The Spanish giants have struggled with consistency this season and often found it hard to break down defences, especially in the absence of Lionel Messi.

Ever since the departure of Andres Iniesta in 2018, Barcelona have yet to replace the Spanish midfield maestro’s creativity from midfield.

There have been failed attempts with the acquisition of Philippe Coutinho but the Brazilian never managed to settle in Catalonia and failed to recreate his form from Liverpool which attracted Barca to sign him in the first place.

Harit seems like the ideal fit. He is without a shadow of a doubt in Iniesta’s ilk. The Moroccan has the same ability to break down defences which made Iniesta such a key component of the mighty Barcelona side.

On top of that, Harit is an excellent finisher too and often finds the net from outside the box. He can strike the ball well with the inside and the outside of his foot, reminiscent somewhat of the Portuguese Quaresma who perfected the technique with ease.

He has the creative flair too, with his clever darting runs he opens up defences similar to that of Messi and has the ability to play in team-mates to finish off attacks.

With the Catalonian side still struggling to find rhythm and form this season, Barcelona officials will surely keep a close eye on the progress of Harit and if the Moroccan continues to impress it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Barcelona make a movefor the attacking midfielder in January.

Harit has the potential to go all the way in the game, and after a lacklustre campaign last season following a dreamlike first season in which he was voted the Bundesliga’s best young player for 2018, it looks like 2019/20 will be his year once more.