Over the years, Barcelona have been known for smashing records, however this weekend they recorded an unfortunate one.
With Junior Firpo scoring in the 20th minute for the Blaugrana’s opponents Real Betis in their La Liga fixture - at the Nou Camp nonetheless - Barcelona recorded their worst defensive record in two decades.
The La Liga champions remain slightly at the top of the table, but with their 10th successive league fixture in not being able to keep a clean sheet, the side have harked back to the days of Louis Van Gaal. This was also their first home league defeat in two years.
In a fascinating fixture, Betis eventually saw out the match 4-3, on Lionel Messi’s return to action for the home side after a spell on the sidelines through injury.
However, the game marks more than three lost points. Barca have kept just two clean sheets so far this season, and the last coming in the second game of the campaign. It’s apparent, with the decline of such Barcelona stalwarts as Gerard Pique, that urgent defensive reinforcements are required for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
And this should make certain Premier League clubs concerned.
Toby Alderweireld could be in the Barca eyeline, particularly with the awareness of his flirtation with Manchester United throughout the summer. Though a January move would mark just two months before his 30th birthday - voiding any suggestion of the Belgian being a long-term option- the hindrance of any contract extension could be to Barca’s benefit.
Furthermore should Tottenham drop into the Europa League as expected judging my their current Group position, Alderweireld would still be eligible to still play in the more elite Champions League.
Another option could also come from Manchester United. With Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof being Mourinho’s favoured pairing at the heart of defence, as well as suffering the humiliation of being substituted after just 19mins - his last league start - in a recent Old Trafford fixture against Newcastle, Eric Bailly is surely looking for a route out of the club. The Ivorian’s two and a bit seasons at the club have failed to develop into him getting a regular starting berth, with recent speculation leading him to Arsenal.
The Gunners themselves have had to ward off interest in their own Hector Bellerin, The Daily Star having been premature in their suggestion that he was Barca-bound in the summer. A move to Spain would be a return to the club that he started his career at, having spent his youth career being developed by Barcelona before moving to England.
With tough games against Atletico Madrid and Villarreal around the corner, Barcelona’s current defensive crop of options should look to turn around their form soon, or be prepared for some stiff competition heading their way for positions come January.
