Without Messi, FC Barcelona Train For First Time Under New Coach Koeman: How Does The Squad Look?

On Monday at 17.30 local time, FC Barcelona will train for the first time under new head coach Ronald Koeman.

Lionel Messi will not be present of course, having failed to show for coronavirus testing yesterday morning that was a prerequisite to attending the session, and is essentially on strike while trying to force a move out of the club. But how is the rest of the Dutchman’s squad shaping up?

Unlike Messi, who was told he is the cornerstone of Barça’s 2020/2021 sporting project yet is AWOL, the likes of Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti, Arturo Vidal and Junior Firpo will report for duty despite having been informed by Koeman this time last week that they are surplus to requirements.

It is hoped that they can be sold before the transfer window closes on October 5th, and the same logic replies to loan returnees Jean-Clair Todibo, Moussa Wague and Rafinha Alcantara. Separately, Carles Aleña is back from his temporary assignment at Real Betis, but does have a future at the Camp Nou due to his standing as a promising graduate of La Masia.

Speaking of which, three more of its products in Riqui Puig, Ronald Araujo and Ansu Fati will stick around in the first team squad after having broken through from the B team in 2019/2020.

Training with the big boys for now in preseason, Ilaix Moriba, Arnau Tenas, Jorge Cuenca, Sergio Akieme and Konrad de la Fuente will also try to follow suit and gain promotion by impressing Koeman.

Of the new additions, Pedri, Francisco Trincao, Matheus Fernandes and Miralem Pjanic will all be present today and hopefully joined by Philippe Coutinho on September 8 after the Brazilian was told he can still turn his career with the Blaugrana around.

Assisting Koeman will be Alfred Schreuder and the legendary Henrik Larsson, while Albert Roca returns to the club as a physical trainer for the first time since the end of the Frank Rijkaard era in 2008.

FC Barcelona’s 2020/2021 squad thus far:

Goalkeepers: Marc Andre-Ter Stegen, Neto, Inaki Pena

Defenders: Sergi Roberto, Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Ronald Araujo, Jordi Alba, Junior Firpo, Moussa Wague, Jean-Clair Todibo

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Miralem Pjanic, Riqui Puig, Pedri, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal, Carles Aleña, Matheus Fernandes, Rafinha

Forwards: Lionel Messi (?), Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann, Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, Francisco Trincao, Martin Braithwaite