IMPORTANT THREAD

Barça has some problems to solve if they want to fight for trophies this season. I will be talking about 4 players over the course threads to explain their individual situations and what needs to change moving forward. First on the list

Antoine Griezmann

The first topic has to be Antoine Griezmann. It's become clear ever since Barça signed him that he has no natural role at this club and unfortunately the role that he could have is occupied by a certain number 10.

Griezmann doesn't offer Barça what they need as a winger or a number 9 which is why we've seen Barça constantly linked with strikers over the past transfer window and even right now. If Barça wants to succeed this season they need to find a role for him.

The problem is that role comes at a cost. If Griezmann plays as a number 9, more often than not he doesn't play well especially with Messi. They look for the same spaces and often get in each other's way. Moving Griezmann deeper then impeeds the roles of Pedri and Coutinho

Griezmann out wide intrudes on Dembele, Fati, Trincão, potentially even Konrad. This leads to Griezmann being in a difficult position where simply put the best position for him would be a sub for Messi or Coutinho. For the benefit of the team.

The only fault of Griezmann would be failing to see that this move to Barça didn't suit his playing style. However I must STRESS that the majority of the blame falls on Bartomeu and his board for having NO understanding of Griezmann as a footballer whatsoever.

Funny enough had the board used the money they were spending on Griezmann to offer De ligt a better wage he might've chosen Barça over Juventus which would've done wonders for our defense but I'll talk about that in another thread.

Griezmann at the moment is in a difficult position. With the board's resignation and the elections likely to be held at the end of December transfers become very complicated especially in January. Given how much Koeman wants a 9 Griezmann could be used to facilitate the deal.

However conducting a transfer of this magnitude in January is incredibly difficult if not impossible ESPECIALLY for a new board trying to restructure a club the size of Barcelona after the mess Bartomeu left behind.

The best thing for Griezmann to do this season is simply put, work hard and try to adapt to a position as best he can which he seems to have been doing in recent games. However this has only been due to the injury of Coutinho.

In terms of goal scoring figures I expect Griezmann 's numbers to be about the same maybe even lower than last season around 15-18 goals in all competitions. But if he can manage 20-25 this season it'll be classed as a successful season.

Regardless I wish Griezmann the best.

He's a phenomenal player and one I loved back when he was at Atletico Madrid and especially during the 2016 Euros. Next on the thread list will be Philipe Coutinho.

Please give me your feedback and thoughts on this thread and please share so more can see.