Regretful Reckoning: How Lewandowski’s Form Leaves Barcelona Yearning
The way Robert Lewandowski has been playing since the beginning of the current campaign worries FC Barcelona a lot. Since the Pole is Barcelona’s sole natural center-forward, he will be responsible for the majority of the team’s goal scoring this season.
Lewandowski’s workload will be somewhat relieved by Vitor Roque, who is anticipated to join the Barcelona team in January. Nevertheless, because Roque will require some time to acclimatize to his new club and nation, he will be the only squad leader with experience leading the assault.
Understandably, Lewandowski’s bad play this season makes one think of a mistake Barcelona made a few years ago.
Emerick Pierre Aubameyang forced Arsenal to sever his contract, and in January 2022, he arrived at Barcelona for free. His expertise and abilities were crucial to Barcelona’s successful and honorable 2022–2023 season finale.
Aubameyang won over Cules’ affections during his brief tenure at FC Barcelona by scoring 13 goals in 23 La Liga and UEFA Europa League games.
This period of time, though, was quite brief as Barcelona sold him to Chelsea in the summer of 2022 for €12 million, receiving nothing for a player they had acquired for free just six months prior.
The Gabonese striker, however, was not able to make a lasting impression at Chelsea and, in January 2023, he offered himself to Barcelona with a letter of release from the London club.
But because of their issues with FFP, Barcelona was unable to sign him in the winter and instead to gamble on Vitor Roque, a young player, in the summer.
Aubameyang, meanwhile, started this season with Olympique Marseille and has been a standout player. With the French team, he has reportedly contributed six assists and twelve goals, according to SPORT; Barcelona is currently lacking a player with his caliber.
Barcelona will now be hoping that their choice to gamble on Vitor Roque pays off, even though Aubameyang has found form in France. The Brazilian is anticipated to begin practicing with the Catalan team in the latter part of this month.