Former Barcelona star names 2 Suarez replacements

Another striker is needed to fill the void left by Suarez at Camp Nou, but who? A former Barcelona midfielder names two options.

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and Real Sociedad attacker Alexander Isak are two potential replacements for Luis Suarez, says former Barcelona midfielder Luis Garcia.

The Blaugrana’s decision to offload Suarez during the off-season appears to have backfired. The Uruguayan has shown his old employers what they’re missing out on by spearheading Atletico Madrid’s title challenge in La Liga.

An impressive 16 goals in only 17 games has helped install Atletico as league leaders. They have an eight-point advantage over third-placed Barcelona, who have also played a game extra.

And while Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann have helped supply the goals recently, the presence of a prolific no.9 is clearly missing at Camp Nou.

“I think it was a big blow for Barcelona as it’s difficult to find a center-forward like him [Suarez], especially with the pandemic and a lack of money,” Garcia told Goal.

“We saw it in the January transfer market and how there were not many big moves. And it is no different for Barcelona.

“Of course, there are a few strikers out there. We’ve got Haaland on top, a striker who is a different number nine to what Barcelona are used to. They have been playing Antoine Griezmann as a number nine and also Messi and Martin Braithwaite. But these are not forwards who are built for this kind of Barcelona.

“I think [manager] Ronald Koeman is doing a fantastic job and trying to adapt new players and the system, we need to give him time. We have seen some very good games in the past few weeks, with a fantastic [Ousmane] Dembele and Pedri, who has been an amazing signing.

“Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad is another striker who I really like to watch. He’s a young talent, tall, has quality on the ball.

“So there are a few strikers who I would like to see at Barcelona. But again, it will be very different without having money to spend, so we will have to wait and see.”