A Hypothetical Analysis of Barcelona's Possible Front-Three
Taking a look at Fati-Roque-Yamal
Barcelona have always had legendary front threes. From the 2009 Henry-Eto’o-Messi to the 2011 Pedro-Messi-Villa to the best front three of all time in 2015, Neymar-Suarez-Messi or “MSN”.
In the post-Messi era, we have seen front threes like Fati-Depay-Dembele in 2021 and Dembele-Lewandowski-Raphina in 2022. After the exit of Dembele in 2023, the longest-serving front three we have seen is Torres-Lewandowski-Raphina. Dembele’s absence has been well-felt in many games. Dembele had been a crucial element in Barcelona’s squad, scoring 40 goals and 43 assists in 185 games for the Catalan Giants. Until he was lured by Paris Saint-Germain’s money.
With Lewandowski slowly ageing and Torres alone after fellow left-winger Felix’s inevitable exit, Barcelona needs a secondary front three. In 2024, Barcelona have new hope. If the Catalan Giants revoke Ansu Fati’s loan to Brighton, they have a new left winger. They just signed their new striker, Vitor Roque. And they are blessed by La Masia to receive a generational talent: Lamine Yamal. Combine the three and get Barcelona’s new front three: Fati-Roque-Yamal.
The three are very young, currently 21, 19 and 16 respectively. Fati hasn’t played with Roque and Yamal as he is doing loan duty in England. But the three will be able to play well. Roque is a clinical finisher. He can finish with passes from both of the flanks. Yamal is a great dribbler. He can cleverly dribble past opponents to find Roque. His flawless dribbles will help him to find his way into the box and the back of the net. Fati, in the right flank, can do the same by setting up Roque inside the box. Fati could also dribble to get himself into the box or shoot from outside the box to get into the scoresheet. The three will be a dynamic trio, helping each other to dominate the attack. They will be a menace to defenders once they find their flow. This could be the front three that helps Barcelona get their next Champions League title.
Fati needs to be Barcelona’s new Neymar. Barcelona’s initial Neymar replacement plan flopped big time: Philippe Coutinho. The then 25-year-old Brazillian was signed for €160m and wasn’t close to replacing Neymar. Ansu Fati, however, was given the number 10 at just 18 years old to “replace” Messi. Even though Messi cannot be replaced, the closest to his replacement would be Lamine Yamal. Roque will not be a Suarez replacement but rather a player to replace Lewandowski in the long run.
A player like Yamal comes very rarely. The 16-year-old Spaniard makes scintillating dribbles that give déjà vu. Pair him with a 19-year-old hungry striker and a 21-year-old starlet winger, Barcelona will get a young and mighty front-three.
Comparing this to Real Madrid’s proposed front three, Vini-Mbappe-Rodrygo, it will be tough. The Los Blancos’ possible front three is much more experienced than Fati-Roque-Yamal. Mbappe is one of the best players in the world right now. Pair him with a squad like Real Madrid’s, it’s going to be dangerous.
This front three should only be used as a secondary option until the three get more experienced. Barcelona should continue with Torres-Lewandowski-Raphina while giving Roque playtime via substitutions with Lewandowski. Vitor Roque has proven to be the super-sub Barcelona needed at trying times. When he was substituted in the 62nd minute against CA Osasuna on January 31, 2024, he scored his debut goal in the 63rd minute! He was on the pitch for barely a minute and scored the only goal that gave Barcelona the three points. Interestingly, he scored his second goal for Barcelona just days later, on February 3, 2024, against Deportivo Alavés, also during the 63rd minute! Yamal and Raphina should share the spotlight on the left, but the Brazillian’s exit seems imminent. However, the 16-year-old must not be overplayed. The Blaugrana should revoke Fati’s loan and interchange him with Torres. The number 10 was initially sent to Brighton to give the youngster much-needed playtime and regain his lost form. Once back, Fati can show the world his class.
Fati-Roque-Yamal is an excellent front three and can be used in the starting XI from time to time. The Azulgrana has to conduct various test runs to etch the trio into the club’s timeless history. Fati-Roque-Yamal will be the point of difference as the three youngsters slowly gain experience battle after battle. We might witness the first game of the trio during the 2024-25 La Liga season if Fati’s brought back. Barça will succeed once again with homegrown forwards.
