With all the chatter surrounding new signings at Barcelona, we know that any big addition would have to be offset by a big departure.
For that reason, Ronald Araujo’s name keeps coming up as a bargaining chip. It seems, in the minds of many, the Uruguayan center back is dispensable.
It’s true, Araujo is coming off a campaign where he wasn’t able to contribute much due to injury, and the fact that Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez locked down the backline after showing an ability to thrive in Hansi Flick’s risky and demanding defensive system.
It’s also true that Araujo has committed high-profile errors in big matches over the past few seasons that continue to haunt him.
In contrast, there’s a reason why Araujo is one of the captains of this team. He earned it not through seniority, the way it was done in years past, but because he is a natural leader, whose example of heart, desire, and physicality, were qualities so badly needed in the years since he made his debut in 2019. Since then, he has been a Barca stalwart.
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At his best, he can pocket the world’s best attacking threats. His size and temperament also make him valuable on set pieces, both offensively and defensively.
Now, in an ideal world, Flick goes with Cubarsí and Iñigo again this season, and gets a repeat of past success.
Cubarsí, of course, you invest in and count on going forward, hands down. But realistically, as good as Iñigo was a year ago, you have to have doubts about the reliability and longevity of a 34 year old who is being asked to spend half the game chasing down forwards eager to beat the offside trap.
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Iñigo himself has an injury record, and missed out on most of his first season at Barcelona. Araujo, it must be said, also has struggled to stay fit.
But at 26 years old, Araujo is in the prime of his career, and still considered by many to be one of the best defenders in Europe.
That’s why his market value is so high. But Barcelona must not be short sided. Before they consider selling him, they should understand that they are getting rid of a player who won’t easily be replaced.
Without Araujo on the roster next season, Barcelona, all of a sudden, is vulnerable, because they will have lost their depth at a critical position.
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Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen are next up, and a lot will be asked of them. Flick has to be sure that they are enough, and that they can do more than just deputize on the backline from time to time. Eric was incredible last season, not because of his work as a center back alone, but as a utility man who could do anything you ask of him on any given day as needs emerged. Christensen is coming off a season where he hardly played at all.
Sergi Domínguez will get a shot in preseason, but he’ll have to be better than he was a year ago with the chances he was given.
Selling Araujo may be the key to signing Nico Williams. But it must be acknowledged losing him will come at a significant cost.
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Young and talented defenders don’t grow on trees. Flick and Deco need to be certain that Araujo is surplus to requirements if they choose to pull the trigger on his departure.
As for me, I’m not so certain. Part of me wonders if he has just been a convenient scapegoat in recent memory.
I’d like to think Araujo can adapt to Flick’s system and get his career back on the rails.
There’s so much natural talent there. It would be a shame to see his Barca career end this way, when there was so much he gave to the club during those dark days many of us would rather not think about.