How will Barcelona replace Luis Suarez? Lautaro Martinez, Griezmann and the options on offer

Striking talent: Luis Suarez
AFP via Getty Images
Tom Doyle|Ben Hayward25 March 2020

How do you replace a player like Luis Suarez?

That is the question Barcelona are now looking to answer, with the Spanish champions on the lookout for the next striker to lead their attack.

Suarez has been ruled out for four months with a knee injury, and at 33, there are few years left for the Uruguayan to keep recovering from long-term layoffs.

The former Liverpool star still has undoubted quality, but Barca have made no secret of the fact that they are planning for a future without Suarez.

So, were do you find a young forward who can do it all - and, given Barca's recent financial frustrations, on a budget?

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Before we dive into the statistics, Ben Hayward assesses the lay of the land...

The expert view

Luis Suarez has had a hard time from a sector of Barcelona’s fans this season, but the Uruguayan striker has continued to contribute with key goals for the Catalan club – many of them spectacular efforts.

Even after two spells out through injury, Suarez is Barca’s joint-highest scorer in all competitions this term with Antoine Griezmann on 14 goals, but it is in his absence that his importance has truly shown.

Injured in the 3-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa in January, Suarez underwent knee surgery after that match and was expected to be sidelined for four months. That means he is yet to feature under new coach Quique Setien and he has been badly missed.

Photo: AP
AP

Suarez is less mobile than he once was and unable to press effectively at the age of 33, but Barca have missed him as a focal point in attack since his operation and Lionel Messi’s influence has been lessened without their telepathic understanding in attack.

Even the Uruguayan has admitted that Barca need to bring in a new striker to ultimately replace him and that should be Barca’s top priority in the summer now – even more so than pursuing a move for Neymar.

Antoine Griezmann was supposed to be a player who could feature in all of the attacking positions for Barca after his arrival from Atletico Madrid last summer and the French forward works hard, but he is not a no. 9 and has not looked effective when tried in that role.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

That was clear as Barca went out and signed Martin Braithwaite in an emergency deal in February after Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for the rest of the season. Braithwaite is a good player and should be at the club next season after penning a four-and-a-half year contract, but the Danish striker is unlikely to be of the required level to feature as a starter for Barca in the long term and he is also 29 this year.

Barcelona’s top target to replace Suarez is Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and the Uruguayan himself has given the Argentine his blessing.​ Lautaro is a different type of player, but there are similarities with Suarez. Physically strong, positionally excellent, a hard worker and a fine finisher, the Argentine is the complete package and his intelligent running should see him form a good understanding with Messi.

Photo: AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

His release clause stands at €110million, but at the age of 23, he could feature for the next decade at Camp Nou.

Vital statistics

To analyse the situation, we took a deep dive into statistics provided by SmarterScout: Suarez's figures at Barca show his key attributes have been his shooting, link-up passing, receiving in the box and recovering a moving ball; not surprising when you watch him in the flesh.

These qualities make him the ideal man to spearhead Barca's attack. His tenacity is also a key requisite of leading the line, rating 65/100 for ground duels in possession, and 56/100 out of possession.

With the stats available from 2016 onwards, Suarez's peak season (2016-17) saw him deliver an attacking output of 81/100 along with impressive work from the front, scoring 61/100 for defending quality.

Luis Suarez in 2016-17 Photo: SmarterScout
SmarterScout (https://smarterscout.com/)

Intriguingly, his stats show a gradual move away from becoming an out-and-out striker for the past three seasons until last summer, with ratings for attacking output, shooting, receiving in the box all dipping.

Since Griezmann's arrival, up until his injury, Suarez's stats suggest a switch to being more of a poacher, with his shooting rating and link-up improving at the notable expense of dribbling and ball recovery.

It is no surprise that Suarez's focus would shift in the latter stages of his career: if he could still do what he did three years ago, Barca would not have publicly stated they are shopping for his long-term replacement.

Luis Suarez in 2019-20 Photo: SmarterScout
SmarterScout (https://smarterscout.com/)

Lautaro Martinez is on Barca's radar, and it is clear to see why. This season, Lautaro has a solid attacking score of 58 - but there are few better in terms of his tenacity;​ Lautaro scores 90/100 or defending quantity, and 60/100 for his defending quality.

Lautaro Martinez in 2019-20 Photo: SmarterScout
SmarterScout (https://smarterscout.com/)

His shooting sits at 98, receiving in the box in 91, dribbling is 74, while his disrupt (87) and recover (96) an excellent indicator of his pressing ability.

Lautaro appears to offer a little of everything that Suarez has been during his Barca career - and it must be remembered that while Lionel Messi could have another five years at the top given his ability, his role in the side will surely change.

Therefore, Barca are not just shopping for a replacement for Suarez; they are looking to build the future of an attack which Messi will almost certainly not be a part of in 5-10 years' time.

Lautaro Martinez in 2019-20 Photo: SmarterScout
SmarterScout (https://smarterscout.com/)

Using Smarterscout's similar search tool, Erling Braut Haaland is an alternative to Lautaro. The problem for Barca is that Borussia Dortmund only signed him in January. Manchester United dropped out of the running given the unique structure of the deal, effectively handing control of Haaland's future to agent Mino Raiola.

While it is unlikely Haaland would leave Dortmund so soon, Raiola could be tempted by a big offer.

Real Madrid will also be in the market for a young forward soon with Karim Benzema turning 33 in December.

Photo: AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

Los Blancos will likely look to make a big purchase in summer 2021, but could be tempted this year if they can move on Luka Jovic - and can Barca really afford to let Real sign Haaland?

Another alternative for Barca, of course, is for Griezmann to be given the chance to prove himself - but that is looking less and less likely.

Griezmann's best role was through the middle at Atletico, but at Barca - until Suarez's injury, at least - he has been shunted out to the left to accommodate the Uruguayan and Messi.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

An improvement in defending quality (65/100 from 47/100) and ball retention (94/100 from 72/100) from his final year with Atleti show a desire to make things work, but Griezmann's attacking output is flagging - regardless of whether he's playing through the middle or on the left.

The French forward has suffered a familiar fate to compatriot Dembele, though injuries have clearly hampered the latter.

Simply put, Barca were set on signing Griezmann regardless of how he was going to fit into the team - and having just turned 29, he was not signed with an eye on the future either.

In private, Barca's ideal plan would likely be to try and sell both Griezmann and Dembele to raise funds for Neymar and Lautaro to fill the left and central attacking roles respectively.

Photo: AP
AP

That would arguably offer more balance to Barca's attack, ease the burden on Suarez, allow Neymar to slowly become the club's answer to life after Messi, while also taking pressure off the likes of Ansu Fati.

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