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Ideal replacement for Suarez? – Barcelona have worked wonders by promoting this Euro U19 winner

Barcelona Opinion: Barcelona have a made the right decision by promoting Abel Ruiz

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have identified reserves player Abel Ruiz as Luis Suarez’s back-up next season.

The report also states that the Catalans have decided not to look for any alternatives for the Uruguayan and will rely on their academy talent.

Suarez’s debacle last season – a clear indication of his twilight

In the 2018/19 season, Suarez never looked like the same striker he used to be in his heyday, which led to a steep decline in his scoring ratio.

Luis Suarez has been struggling for form this season

He racked up 25 goals and 13 assists in all competitions while his goal and assists tally touched 50 in the previous season. The contrast indicates that age is catching up to the 32-year-old, leaving the Catalans scurrying to find a successor in due time.

The Catalans might have added Antoine Griezmann, their latest marquee signing, but the French man can’t be the long-term solution. He is not an out-and-out striker and is two years shy of reaching his 30s.

Abel Ruiz – the natural heir to Suarez’s throne at Barcelona

Barca parted ways with some precious talents like Paco Alcacer and Munir over the course due to the presence of Suarez. It happened at a time when he was he at the peak of his powers.

Now, the Catalans have made a right call on reserves striker Ruiz, who carries traits akin to the former Liverpool man.

Ruiz, 19, broke into the reserves team after five years of development at La Masia, Barca’s youth academy.

PASADENA, CA – JULY 28: Abel Ruiz #7 of Barcelona pursues the play during the second half fo the International Champions Cup 2018 match against the Tottenham Hotspur at Rose Bowl on July 28, 2018 in Pasadena, California. Barcelona defeated Tottenham 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

A recipient of several honours and a breaker of several records at a tender age, Ruiz is in the long line of exciting talents billed from Spain.

Some of his notable achievements were winning the UEFA Youth League with Barca and the recently-ended Euro U19, representing Spain.

He can be undervalued at all costs by seeing his club stats (9 goals and 4 assists in over 50 games) while he has bagged a total of 41 goals for Spain’s national teams at U17, 18 and 19 levels.

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Talking about his playing style, Ruiz is good with his positional awareness and loves to drift between both the wings.

Final Verdict

While it has been a long time since any of the academy strikers have received the limelight, Barca have made a right decision by betting on young talent like Ruiz.

The Spanish prodigy has immense potential to replicate the success story of Suarez at Nou Camp.