#2: Riqui Puig
In Quique Setien’s brief, but laregely disastrous spell as club manager, he did unfurl a gem in the form of Riqui Puig.
Having seen his teammate at youth level, Ansu Fati excel when given the opportunity to dance with the likes of Lionel Messi and the rest, Puig too pounced on the opportunities presented to him after the restart.
Like Alena, Puig has a tremendous ability to find space in between the lines. Combined with his ability to move the ball on delicately, Puig can be one the catalysts that can help reinvigorate the football the wowed the world a decade ago.
Another player bred at La Masia, Puig has to be played more this season and has to be allowed to shine at this level for he is Barcelona, and Barcelona is him. There are more reasons than just his football, Puig represents a symbolic one.
#1: Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati is undoubtedly the future of the club. Still only 17-years-old, his first full season playing with the big boys saw him score 7 goals in the league and one in the Champions League. His direct, fearless, skillful running is needed in this old, slow Barcelona team.
He is doing what Ousmanne Dembele was brought into do.
But as Dembele’s struggles with injury look like they might never end, Koeman has to allow Fati to shine.
In his second season, it is important that Fati’s youthful, risk-taking, free flowing style not be curtailed. He can be the wildcard Barcelona so desperately need in the big games where they are sluggish, predictable and oh so reliant on Messi.
Fati is another one bred through the youth systems and thus understands the DNA of the club well. Koeman would be wise to make it his biggest priority to make this young man feel like he belongs.