Barcelona must find Lewandowski back up
It is all good in La Liga for Barcelona this season but anyone associated with the Spanish giants will tell you the team has scored way too low for its status in the season. A perennial contender for top honors in Europe, things haven’t gone so well for Barcelona in the recent few seasons and now they have to find a way back, and it calls for a number of big decisions, especially where finances are involved. One of those involves getting players to make Robert Lewandowski perform to his known potential.
Perform underwhelmingly
Barcelona have suffered group stage exits in the Champions League in the last two seasons and went on to perform underwhelmingly in the Europa League after that. For this season, that has been blamed on a misfiring Robert Lewandowski, who has taken a massive dip in form since returning from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Poland international has failed to inspire the team across all competitions in the second half of the season. This explains partly why only six of their 18 league matches in 2023 have had more than one goal, and Lewandowski has scored only six times in that period.
One area that Barcelona have excelled though has been in defence, and that will take the biggest credits for their title race. In their La Liga run in 2023, Barcelona have won without conceding in 13 of the 18 matches played making them top favorites when checking who won the football matches yesterday, posted on SportyTrader. They can build on this run with a major signing to complement the qualities Lewandowski brings to the table, as that is the best way to ensure they do better next season, especially in Europe.
Financial woes
However, it is not very easy for Barcelona to bring on board a top class forward, given their well-documented financial woes and troubles with the La Liga top brass. Barcelona must sell massively to be able to get the kind of players they need. For the short term, they have to compromise a core of their team structure, and perhaps future, to get the players they need. Lewandowski is still on contract and not among the players linked with exits, so manager Xavi Hernandez can plan on how to build the team around the Pole.
However, Lewandowski’s strike partner, Ferran Torres is said to be one of the players Barcelona is using as makeweight to try and raise monies that can be used to beef up. The Spaniard has scored just four league goals this season and Barcelona aren’t expected to try and hold on him if a good deal comes. The Catalans also have another headache in the shape of Raphinha, who, after his first season in La Liga, is said to be keen on a move back to the Premier League.
The Brazilian should be able to raise some good amounts for Barcelona and the club is not expected to block an exit if it comes to that. Chelsea forward Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a return to the club after a successful short stint, but he may not be the kind of strike partner for Lewandowski even though he remains a cheaper option.
See More:
- Jordi Cryuff set to leave Barcelona by the end of the 2022/23 season
- Top Barcelona defender targets for 2023 transfer: Defender targets 2023!
