Can Fati’s return help Barcelona return to the elite?

Ansu Fati returned to the pitch after ten months in Sunday’s match against Levante. It was indeed a successful return, as the talented youngster immediately shone with a nice goal. Can his return help Barcelona’s rise back to the elite?

The last time Ansu Fati played a competitive match was last November, when he was seriously injured in a match against Real Betis. It was only on Sunday that he returned to the pitch for the first time after that injury and contributed to Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Levante with a goal.

In the 81st minute, Fati replaced the departing Luuk de Jong and was welcomed back by the fans with a standing ovation. Only 18 years old, the Barcelona talent rewarded them with a great performance and even a goal after a nice individual action.

Could Ansu Fati become the key man to lift a sinking Barcelona back to the elite? It could be.

Barcelona is going through a generational renewal right now and Fati is one of the players on whom Barcelona’s squad should stand. He is a very quick striker with a pull on goal and a very good tackle in the attacking sixteen. He also scores quite a few goals for his age.

Exactly the kind of player Barcelona needs in attack right now. After the departures of Messi and Griezmann, the current attacking trio of the Catalans is Depay, Luuk de Jong and Coutinho or Braithwaite. Memphis Depay is definitely the best of this trio so far, but that is definitely not enough for a club with such ambitions.

What a change from the Messi, Suárez, Neymar trio that graced Barcelona five years ago.

Ansu Fati is typologically a player who could elevate Barcelona’s game significantly. The cluelessness in the attacking phase could be replaced by speed coupled with creativity.

Of course, it will still take some time for Fati to come into his own. Comebacks after such protracted injuries are very difficult, plus he still lacks match fitness. However, Ansu Fati has a very good start.

Source: Livesport