The Curious Case of Ronald Araújo Recently
I believe that everyone can agree that Ronald Araújo has been a Beast in 20/21, surprising everyone to show how good he actually is. He displays skills that we have not seen in a long time, even being compared to others such as van Dijk or Puyol. He shows amazing potential to become a promising defender.
However, ever since returning to the squad a month ago against Huesca, for some reason, I just feel that he's not been the same. While he is still doing somewhat well his form has dipped but a relative amount.
Initially, I reasoned it with a lack of rest directly after his injury, thinking that the International Break would help. However, his efficiency and fluidity is something different now, and now he's getting dribbled past more easily than before. As a defender, he has not been hitting our expectations that we initally had for him recently. The performance against Real Madrid was one. From being a world-class defender in January, to running down the pecking order and being benched behind Oscar Mingueza.
Don't get me wrong, I love Ronald Araújo, and am a big fan of him. I understand that he's still really young, and has loads of potential. His frequent injuries, and Gerard Pique coming back to the squad has not helped his situation.
And as such here, I wish to ask why this is happening. I really don't like to talk bad about our Barca players, but this is something that has been bothering my mind recently. I don’t know if I’m exaggerating things in my mind so that’s why I hope to understand what you guys think.
Please leave below your thoughts and opinions on this...
Why is this happening?
Does he deserved to be benched?
Am I just overthinking things and being impatient? (I think I am)
Or is it simply a case of him needing more time and rest?
Please let me know what you think, as this has been bothering me alot lately
Please prove me wrong guys.
Força Barça🔵🔴
Comments
Good article and observation, breadman. I don't think he is fully recovered yet, and for some players, the psychological challenges of returning after an injury are as big as the physical ones. Furthermore, he went from being a bona-fide starter to coming on as a sub or getting subbed off for other CBs after 60 minutes. A player needs time and regular features to get back in the rhythm of the game. It's the same problem with Puig- the kid rots away on the bench all season, then Koeman throws him on for five or ten minutes, and people say, "See, he isn't so good." Hogwash. Players need time and repetition to get back their rhythm and timing. Araujo will be fine. He has all summer to get back into the swing of things. I wish I could say the same for Puig, who might be damed to obscurity until Koeman leaves the Barça sideline.
you are not talking bad about the player but that is fact you have noticed and frankly speaking what you noticed about Ronald Araujo is very true, there is a dip in his performance