Andre Gomes to Bring Competition to FC Barcelona

Andre Gomes has joined FC Barcelona from his club Valencia C.F. The deal was done on July 21, 2016 and becomes the clubs fourth signing of the Summer Transfer Window. With many star performers at Barcelona and the midfield not in its former shape, what added competition does Andre Gomes bring to the particularly the midfield?

Andre Gomes is a young midfielder who has played at the highest level with Benfica in the Portuguese League and Valencia in the Spanish La Liga making numerous appearances for both teams and winning the Portuguese league with the former.

Playing for FC Barcelona means that you would be featuring in the biggest club competitions in the world and therefore need great experience to be able to match opposing players in all aspects of the game.

Andre Gomes as a central midfielder comes into the team to solidify the midfield. At FC Barcelona, two players cause the most interceptions and tackles and they are Javier Mascherano and Sergio Busquets Burgos. In matches against Diego Simeone's Atletico de Madrid, Barcelona could not compete for balls and had to rely on the old passing game because Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic could not match the physical play of Augusto Fernandes, Gabi and Koke.

Gomes is going to change all that with his aggression, good ball control and creativity.

Andre Gomes to Help Barcelona Fight for the Champions League this Season

At the UEFA Euro 2016, Andre Gomes got the starting spot over the experienced Joao Moutinho pointing out the kind of competition his presence brings to teams.

Barcelona has a Starting XI and with some untouchables on the list only the defensive line, midfield and goalkeeping departments are subjected to changes during games. This happens when there is UEFA Champions League match and Ter Stergen replaces Claudio Bravo. At the defense, an injury or a suspension causes either Javier Mascherano or Gerard Pique to sit out matches. In the midfield comprising Iniesta, Rakitic and Busquets, when changes are made Arda Turan replaces Ivan Rakitic, a tactic other teams studied and designed perfect strategies for that eventually led to the demise of the team in the UEFA Champions League.

With an option like Andre Gomes who is aiming to be a starter, Barcelona can rely less on the creativity of Iniesta and Rakitic linking with the attackers because Gomes also creates goal scoring opportunities and scores goals as well.

Luis Enrique has made a great signing improving his squad depth with a player of the status of Gomes because both La Liga and Uefa Champions League is going to tougher than ever.

Real Madrid has now won the Champions League twice in three years and would love to defend the trophy and make a record in the process. Madrid last won the league in 2012 and the team has won only one La Liga title in eight seasons, something Zidane aims to change this season.

FC Barcelona is still the team to beat this coming season because the signings they have made gives them comeptitive advantage over the others.