It's a signing that is as bizarre as it is astute, but when Stoke City confirmed the acquisition of Marc Muniesa from Barcelona on a free, the footballing world had to double take as to whether the news was fact or fiction. Dates were checked ensuring it wasn’t April 1st and with the Potters announcing the arrival on their official website, following the capture of Erik Pieters from PSV Eindhoven last month, it signaled a welcomed change in the direct approach often adopted by former manager Tony Pulis.
Yet, Stoke’s gain, it can be argued, is Barcelona’s loss. Granted, Muniesa rarely featured during the U21 European Championship, making just one substitute appearance in Spain’s path to glory in Israel, and has featured just four times for the club, with Marc Bartra and Martín Montoya held in higher regard than the 21-year-old at the club. However, having released Eric Abidal, the questionable form of Gerard Piqué and ever-growing injury concerns surrounding Carles Puyol mean that holding onto the outstanding young defender could, and perhaps should, have been a priority for the Blaugrana.
With €57m spent on bringing Neymar to the Camp Nou, many believe the money could’ve been better-utilised elsewhere. The Brazilian may’ve shone during the Confederations Cup as A Seleção romped to glory, but question marks have continuously loomed over the defensive solidity of the club, especially when you consider the 40 Primera Division goals Barcelona shipped last year; their highest since the 2002/03 season, where they finished sixth and conceded 47.
This points to a defence not only lacking discipline, but quality as well, made all the worse when taking into account the lingering doubts surrounding the future of goalkeeper Víctor Valdés. However, it’s a problem that Barcelona are looking to address this summer amidst reports that a big named centre-back will arrive in order to bolster the ranks and provide the likes of Piqué, Puyol and Javier Mascherano with the necessary competition to reinvigorate a stagnating backline.
Marquinhos - not to be confused with teammate and compatriot Marquinho - and Thiago Silva, of AS Roma and Paris Saint-Germain respectively, are two defenders that have been strongly linked with a move to Spain in recent weeks, with it rumoured that both will cost a hefty fee to land, and unsurprisingly so. Both players have impressed over the past campaign, with the former especially making a name for himself as one of the hottest defensive prospects in world football over the last 12 months.
Achieving an average WhoScored.com rating of 7.17 - only Erik Lamela (7.58) and Francesco Totti (7.54) scored higher for Roma last season - interest surrounding the 19-year-old has naturally risen over the campaign. I Giallorossi will understandably be reluctant to selling one of their prized assets, but a lack of European football following their sixth placed Serie A finish and Coppa Italia defeat to rivals Lazio could well force their hand into selling Marquinhos, especially if the offer is right.
It would present somewhat of a significant coup for Barcelona should they move on the interest shown in the Brazilian. Completing 88.9% of his Serie A passes last season, his success is relatively similar to that of Piqué (91.1%) and Mascherano (90.1%), with Marquinhos’ figure likely to rise should he swap Italy for Spain. This is highlighted by the fact that the likes of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets will be dropping deeper to receive possession, with the trio undoubtedly better on the ball than the likes of Michael Bradley and Alessandro Florenzi.
Marquinhos may've made fewer forward (14.5) and accurate passes per game (33.4) than his Barcelona counterparts, but as mentioned; the possibility of the current midfield trio plying their trade ahead of the defender would feasibly see those figures rise considerably. With his passing statistics weighing up against the current Catalan stars, his defensive capabilities will surely stand him in stronger stead when compared to other potential defensive reinforcements.
This is evident in that the centre-back averaged 2 tackles per game with Roma last season, while his 2.7 interceptions per game is bettered only by current teammate Leandro Castán (2.8). Up against the Barcelona regulars, however, only left-back Jordi Alba (3.5) averaged more interceptions per game than Marquinhos in their respective domestic campaigns last season. His reading of the game would undoubtedly have drawn Barcelona to the young Brazilian and it’s further accentuated in that no defender made more last man tackles (10) than the youngster in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
However, if it’s reading of the game and experience Barcelona want to add to the ranks, the links with Silva are understandable. The Brazil captain may’ve seen his playing time hampered through injury, making just 22 Ligue 1 appearances last season, but on the back of Brazil’s Confederations Cup success, the 28-year-old is certainly in demand and for good reason.
The PSG ace also averaged 2 tackles per game, but his 2.9 interceptions and pass success of 89.5% stand him in a slightly stronger position than Marquinhos, although his age will surely determine whether or not Barcelona firm up their reported interest. The agent of the former AC Milan star has, however, talked up a potential summer switch to Camp Nou.
All in all, it’s ultimately dependent on whether Barcelona want to spend big on a defender that has already proven himself on the continent or one that has the potential to do so. Both played a low percentage of their passes long - Marquinhos 15.4% and Silva 14.5% - which will only appease the La Liga champions given that the club boasted an average of 69% possession - the highest in Europe’s top five leagues - last year. The notion of moving the ball from defence to midfield firmly matches their style of play.
With a weakness of Barcelona's also being the contesting of aerial duels, the pairing also gasconade an effective return in that respect, as Marquinhos won an average of 2.3 aerial duels per game and Silva 2.1 last season. Either way, the past year has highlighted the Blaugrana’s need for another defender and if they’re to bring in another centre-back, both Brazilian’s would make a fine addition to La Liga's champions.
