Ronald Koeman's 'ugly ducklings'

Barcelona's squad is closed for the 2020-21 season, at least until January. After an atypical transfer market due to the coronavirus pandemic, Barça have seen a number of players move on  and a number of youngsters either be signed or promoted to the first team. However, they weren't able to sign all the players new coach Ronald Koeman wanted. 

The Dutchman wanted a centre-back and a striker. However, Barça were unable to deliver on Deadline Day. They moved for Manchester City's Eric Garcia and Lyon's Memphis Depay, both out of contract next summer, but were unable to sign either. 

DENSE SCHEDULE 

That means Koeman will have to use the resources he already had to managed a condensed, packed schedule caused buy the pandemic. In addition, the desire of players to stay at the club, such as Ousmane Dembélé, Riqui Puig, Carles Aleña and Samuel Umtiti, means the coach must now decide what to do with them. 

In all four cases, Koeman was concise and direct. It was better for them to look for minutes elsewhere because there are too many players ahead of them at Barça. 

RIQUI, Delicate

There are situations, such as Riqui Puig's, which are especially delicate because among the fans there's an opinion that his qualities are important for this Bará side. Others, like Umtiti and Dembele, have lost sympathy among supporters a while ago and their lack of performances and behaviour away from the pitch has not helped to create a favourable environment.  

In the case of Big Sam, with a deal for Eric Garcia not done, he could get another chance. But Koeman didn't even name him when he listed the centre-backs available to him. After Ronald Araujo's impressive performances, only injuries and suspensions will re-open the door for the France international. 

OUSMANE, THE UNKNOWN  

And Dembele is so unpredictable that we don't know if he will come back into the side. He has more than enough quality, but also lacks discipline. Without Memphis Depay, Ansu, Messi, Griezmann, Coutinho and even Trincao are currently ahead of him. It seems unlikely that Aleña will get minutes due to the 'overbooking' in midfield. Riqui, in principle, is ahead of him. 

They're Koeman's four 'ugly ducklings'. In theory, they're not in his plans, but they are there if he needs a hand. They have all been registered with the first team and assigned a shirt number. There's enough time for them to turn things around and change Koeman's thinking on them. However, Koeman has clear ideas, is rigid and isn't easy to convince. A new era is starting for all four of them.