How should Barcelona replace Ansu Fati?

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The striker is out with a knee injury

Barcelona’s 5-2 win over Real Betis on Saturday has been marred by news that Ansu Fati is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury.

The Catalan giants have not confirmed how long Fati will be out for, but it seems clear he will miss at least several weeks with the problem.

Fati’s injury is certainly a blow for Ronald Koeman’s men. The teenager has started the season well with five goals and two assists and was named La Liga’s player of the month for September.

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He’s also been a regular in the starting XI, featuring in all but two La Liga games so far this season and all three of Barca’s Champions League group games.

Yet his absence creates a spot in the attack which Koeman will need to fill, and fortunately the new Barca boss does have plenty of attackers from which to choose.

Ousmane Dembele and Francisco Trincao are the obvious options to fill in out wide, with the Frenchman starting on the right against Betis and scoring a stunning goal.

Philippe Coutinho is also a possibility when he returns from injury, hopefully after the international break, while Pedri has also played out on the left this season for Barca.

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Indeed the 17-year-old has already seen plenty of game time under Koeman and scored his first La Liga goal on Saturday. He’s openly admitted he prefers to play in the hole but s versatile enough to play on either side.

There’s also another option that Koeman might just be considering. Konrad de la Fuente could come into the reckoning to play on the left wing and has already been called up to the first-team squad several times this season.

Koeman was actually asked about the American before the Dynamo Kiev and game spoke highly of the youngster but explained he prefers him with Barca B right now so he can play regularly.

Konrad’s obviously an outside bet to come into the team but Fati’s injury could just provide him with an opportunity. The 19-year-old is due to head off with the USMNT squad over the international break for games against Wales and Panama in what is his first call up to the senior squad.

Now it’s over to you! How do you think Barcelona should line up in atack without Fati? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Source: barcablaugranes.com