Barcelona have endured a tough time in the season as they are currently 3rd in La Liga table. Barca are currently 8 points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
After winning La Liga 2022/23 season by 10 points over Real, Xavi will step down as Barca manager at the end of the season.
La Liga side will be on the lookout for not only players to strenghten their team over the summer, but also for the manager.
Starting the 2024/25 season on fresh paper, whoever becomes Barca manager, will aim to win as many trophies as they can.
Several names have been linked with a managerial spot at Barca, already, including names such as Mikel Arteta, and Roberto de Zerbi as well as Thiago Motta, Imanol Aguacil, Hansi Flick.
Arteta is unlikely to join La Liga side as he has a contract with the Gunners until 2027. De Zerbi has also been linked with the club. If he ends up joining Barcelona as head coach, Ansu Fati could make his return from loan deal with Brighton, as per Sport.
Not only Fati could return to Barca, but De Zerbi could help the club sign their transfer target Kaoru Mitoma.
Thomas Tuchel, who recently parted ways with Bayern Munich, is also in the list of candidates to replace Xavi at Barca.
So as the season is underway and there are 13 gameweeks left in the La Liga, let's see how Barca could lineup next season under a new coach.
Below, VbetNews takes a look at how Barcelona should line up for the majority of their La Liga and European Cup matches in 2024–25:
How Barcelona should line up for 2024–25
GK: Marc Andre ter Stegen
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Ter Stegen has been Barca's main man in the position for several years already. The goalkeeper was sidelined with a back injury during 2023/24 season and Inaki Pena stepped up to replace him. However, after the German goalkeeper's return, he was back between the sticks for Barca. The 31-year-old's contract with the club expires in 2028 and he seems to be the best at his position for La Liga side.
LB: Alejandro Balde
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Balde is one of the best players in his position and has been the best replacement for Jordi Alba at the club. He is under contract until 2028 and has been turning heads with his performance.
The defender has 1 goal and 1 assist in 28 appearances for Barca.
Although his defensive abilities have been questioned a few times, his attacking ability is surely key for Barca's squad.
CB: Andreas Christensen
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Christensen joined Barca as a free agent and has quickly become a starter for the club. The defender is known for his composed ball control, accurate passing, and commanding presence in aerial duels. The center-back has been branded as an excellent reader of the game and a versatile CB.
During this season the 27-year-old has made 29 appearances in which he has provided one assist.
CB: Ronald Araujo
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Ronald Araujo doesn't really need an introduction as he has become a fan favorite at Barcelona. The 24-year-old has been dabbed as one of the best players in his position. The center-back can also play as a right-back if needed. Araujo became a key player in Barca's squad last season when the team conceded just 18 goals in 38 La Liga matches. The defender is a quick thinker and when his team is attacking, he commits to his defensive duties. Araujo stands out with his play in the air and an ability of man-marking.
RB: Jules Kounde
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Kounde traditionally plays as a center-back, however, Xavi uses him as a right-back. The defender is agile, athletic and technically gifted which allows him to switch from centre-back to right back. The 25-year-old has made overall 32 appearances this season in which he has scored 2 goals and provided 3 assists.
CM: Pedri
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Gavi is one of the key players that Barcelona have and has certainly become a pivotal part in winning the games for Barca. The youngster is versatile and can not only play as a central midfielder but also an attacking midfielder and a left winger if needed. The 19-year-old is good not only in the attack but also in the defense as well.
He has overall made 22 appearances in which he has scored 2 goals and provided 4 assist.
DM: Frenkie de Jong
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Frenkie De Jong is the main man in his position. The 26-year-old usually plays as a defensive midfielder but is also used as a central midfielder. De Jong has strong passing ability as well as is good at key passes and aerial duels. The midfielder was linked with a move to Manchester United, however, luckily, Barca didn't sell him.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan
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Ilkay Gundogan joined Barca in the summer of 2023 and quickly became a starter at the club. The 33-year-old has made overall 37 appearances in which he has scored 5 goals and provided 10 assists. Gundogan is a traditional central midfielder but can also play as a defensive midfielder as well as attacking.
The midfielder is good at direct free kicks, as well as key passes and though balls.
RW: Lamine Yamal
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After Lionel Messi departed from Barcelona, the club were in search to replace him. No one can really replace Messi at Barca but it seems like the club have found their next gem. Lamine Yamal has been turning heads with his impressive performance for the club. The youngster currently plays as a right winger but can also switch to the left as well.
He is a forward with excellent dribbling, passing, and chance-creating skills. The youngster has made 35 appearances in which he has scored 5 goals and provided 7 assists.
CF: Robert Lewandowski
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For his age, Robert Lewandowski has been performing really well Barcelona. The 35-year-old has made 34 appearances in which he has scored 18 goals and provided 6 assists. Vitor Roque joined Barca in January, however, he is still young to become a regular at Barca. Lewandowski is comfortable shooting with both feet and also has a great aerial presence.
LW: Gavi
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Barcelona have several options at left wing starting from Joao Felix who is currently on loan as well as Ferran Torres. However, Xavi has opted to play Gavi at left wing in several occasions. With Gavi in the starting lineup, he can switch to playing as a central midfielder as well.
The 19-year-old is versatile and has been compared to Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
During this season, the youngster suffered an injury and has made only 15 apeparances in which he has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist.
Barcelona lineup, starting XI for the 2024–25 season
Who will be the next coach of Barcelona?
As mentioned above there are several names that could replace Xavi at Barca including Mikel Arteta, Roberto de Zerbi as well as Thiago Motta, Imanol Aguacil, Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel.
Barcelona 2024–25 squad
1. Ter Stegen
2. Joâo Cancelo
3. Balde
4. Ronald Araujo
5. Iñigo Martínez
6. Gavi
7. Ferran Torres
8. Pedri
9. Lewandowski
11. Raphinha
13. Iñaki Peña
14. Joâo Félix
15. Christensen
17. Marcos Alonso
18. Oriol Romeu
20. Sergi Roberto
21. Frenkie De Jong
22. Gündoğan
23. Jules Kounde
26. Ander Astralaga
27. Lamine Yamal
29. Ángel Alarcón
30. Marc Casadó
31. Diego Kochen
32. Fermín López
33. Pau Cubarsí
34. Aleix Garrido
Barcelona 2024-25 transfers
Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix are currently playing for Barca on loan and their loan deals expire in the summer. Both players have been impressive this season and could become part of the squad permanently in the next season.
Barcelona have been linked with an interest in Gabriel Martinelli, as they want to strenghten their left side. Other players who have been mentioned as targets for the left-wing position are Karou Mitoma and Kvicha Kvaratshkelia.
Wilfried Ndidi has also been on Barcelona's radar. If the player ends up joining the club, he could be a great asset as a defensive midfielder.
Barcelona 2024 - 25 transfers IN
Joao Cancelo - 70 %
Karou Mitoma - 30 %
Gabriel Martinelli - 20 %
Kvicha Kbaratskhelia - 20 %
Wilfried Ndidi - 50 %
Joao Felix - 50 %
Barcelona 2024 - 25 transfers Out
Sergi Roberto - contract expires at the end of the season (50 %)
Marcos Alonso - contract expires at the end of the season (50 %)