The breakthrough of Marc Casado has been one of many prime takeaways for Barcelona in a season the place headlines had been largely dominated by the attackers.
In what’s his first full season on the elite degree, the 20-year-old midfielder has made a major affect below Hansi Flick.
With accidents and departures disrupting the Blaugrana midfield earlier within the marketing campaign, Casado seized his alternative and established himself as a key determine within the squad.
Second-best U23 midfielder on the earth
Casado’s sensible performances this season haven’t unnoticed both. In response to CIES Soccer Observatory, the Barcelona starlet is at present the second-best U23 midfielder in world soccer when it comes to the very best floor defence index.
In its current word, CIES Soccer Observatory has given Casado a powerful ranking of 84.5 out of 100, trailing solely Borussia Monchengladbach’s Rocco Reitz, stories SPORT.
This exceptional feat locations him forward of elite younger abilities resembling Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, PSG’s Joao Neves, and Actual Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga.
Among the best midfield abilities on the earth. (Picture by Eric Alonso/Getty Pictures)
Casado incomes a spot increased than these stars is hardly shocking because the younger midfielder has been the beating coronary heart of the Barcelona midfield, that includes in 31 matches throughout all competitions and accumulating 2,180 minutes.
What’s subsequent for Casado?
Casado, although, should not get too forward of him and turn into complacent. In reality, the teenager is dealing with a essential predicament proper now, the place star midfielder Frenkie de Jong seems to have regained his place within the squad.
That is due to the Dutchman’s sensible performances in current weeks, which have helped him regain the belief of coach Hansi Flick.
Holding that in thoughts, Casado’s goal might be to return to Flick’s recreation plan and as soon as once more turn into the principle quantity six for the membership.
There are a number of elements that will support Casado in the long term, together with de Jong’s unsure future and seemingly unsure contract extension talks which can be scheduled to happen later within the season.