Barcelona 2017/18 Review: Signing of the Season

As we know Barcelona had a busy summer and winter transfer window this past season, but one question remains unanswered…Based on the performances of this season, who is the signing of the season?

In the beginning of the season there was a trio of players that quickly caught the attention of Barcelona fans; Paulinho, Nelson Semedo, and Ousmane Dembele. In particular Semedo and Dembele were looked at as great singings and readily needed reinforcements in the area of right back and winger (after Neymar’s departure).

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The Paulinho signing was mostly laughed at though, especially after the player’s arrival from a Chinese club, where the competition is not nearly as high as it is in La Liga. But Paulinho in the beginning of the season staked his claim for the signing of the season. As Semedo found it difficult to adjust to the system and didn’t earn the trust of Valverde, he wasn’t playing.

Dembele on the other hand seemed lax in his preparation for being a Barcelona player, often not stretching and consequently ending up injured for months during the year.

Paulinho on the other hand provided muscle in the midfield, something that has been lacking for a couple of years. He provided goals, assists, and seemed to raise the team’s morale. In the first six months of the year, Barcelona’s best signing was Paulinho.

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In the subsequent winter transfer window, Barcelona fans got what they had been hoping for in the form of Philippe Coutinho, the diminutive attacker from Liverpool. In addition, Barcelona bought a strong, talented, but young Columbian defender in Yerry Mina.

Coutinho instantly demonstrated his ability to change games and influenced the Liga campaign positively. His ability to adapt into the Barcelona system so quickly is a testament to not only his footballing traits, but his mental abilities as well.

Yerry Mina on the other hand only played a handful of games most likely due to the rawness found in his game. While Valverde didn’t trust him fully this year, he will likely begin to find some more minutes next year.

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Overall, the key signings were Paulinho and Coutinho, with Dembele adding to his impact several times in the latter stages of the year. In the end though, the signing of the season clearly has to be Coutinho. Since arriving, Coutinho has impacted games more than any other signing and as of right now, certainly has the brightest future in Barcelona.

Grades:

Coutinho: A+ - Signing of the Season

Paulinho: A- : Started strongly, but faded as the campaign progressed

Dembele: B – Began the season with several injuries and found it hard to get adjusted, when on the pitch though made a significant difference

Semedo: B- : Played well when called upon, but never outstanding, something that Barcelona fans wanted. With one year under his belt, hopefully will begin to show Blaugranes what he possessed at Benefica.

Yerry Mina: C – Simply not enough minutes to determine otherwise, when he did play there were a lot of goals scored, sometimes due to his defensive gaffes.

Now we want to hear from YOU! Vote in the poll and let us know your thoughts about who is Barcelona’s best signing the comments below!