Barcelona have decided to persist with Ronald Koeman, meaning that there won’t be any managerial changes this summer.
After weeks of speculation over an exit from the Nou Camp, Koeman has been handed a second chance to prove himself.
The former Everton gaffer took charge last summer, and it was a fluctuating debut season as Barca endured setbacks in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Now with Koeman continuing for one more season, here are the players who can benefit from him and the ones who find life difficult.
Losers
Riqui Puig
The first player who would be affected by Koeman’s continuity is Riqui Puig. The highly talented La Masia midfielder, loved by fans, had his name down the pecking order of the Dutch gaffer, who has often repeated that physical players are always his first choice. Despite Puig lacking the physical attributes, and so are many of Barca’s academy graduates, he is a player with rich technical capabilities, but it is all in the hands of Koeman whether he would change his opinion on the young Spaniard.
Miralem Pjanic
Pjanic came to Barca with high hopes of creating a similar impact he had at Juventus. However, things haven’t been going in his way so far as he ultimately fell behind Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Pedri and llaix Moriba in the pecking order. Earlier, it was reported that Pjanic’s continuity would depend on Koeman’s continuity, and now with the Dutchman being confirmed as the manager for next season, Pjanic could seek a return to Italy, where he looks to be having plenty of suitors.
Oscar Mingueza
Oscar Mingueza made his leap into the first team and even fared excellently this season. However, Koeman hasn’t been pleased with Mingueza’s defensive lapses few and far between. Furthermore, the arrival of Emerson Royal from Real Betis would complicate Mingueza’s chances.
Ousmane Dembele
Dembele had a chance to redeem himself under Koeman, and to be fair, the outcome was excellent. However, we didn’t see the best version of the French man yet – Euro 2020 could be an opportunity – and the arrival of a player like Memphis Depay would hinder the chances of the young winger.
Antione Griezmann
Griezmann could be the next to take the fall if Koeman opts for a typical 4-3-3 formation. The French World Cup winner had rather played well in the No.10 and second striker position than he did in the wider roles.
Winners
Pedri
Pedri was an undeniable starter in his first season, and the teenager also made a good impression in return, which would be enough for Koeman to make him an inevitable option once again.
Sergi Roberto
Although Barca are considering the future of Sergi Roberto, Koeman’s continuity might have handed the right-back a huge boost. The Dutch gaffer is understood to be an admirer of Roberto, who ironically had a big part to play in Barca’s slip up in the La Liga title race.
Ilaix Moriba
Moriba is the real embodiment of Koeman’s archetypal player – physical yet effective. The young La Masia graduate was chosen above the likes of Puig and Pjanic this season, and Koeman will likely continue with the same pattern.
