Barcelona's Player Rating For 2023/2024 Season As Lewandowski's Slump Continues

Barcelona have lost some of their early-season swagger, personified by the usually prolific Pole struggling for form in recent weeks, BEYOND AFRICA examine the overall performance of each players so far this season.

Barcelona haven't exactly excelled in recent weeks. After a promising start to the season, the Blaugrana have lost some ground in the title race - notably losing October's Clasico at the very death courtesy of a certain Jude Bellingham and dropped points in Europe. 

Just shy of the November international break, they find themselves four points off the top, and stalling in their Champions League group following a surprise loss to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Injuries certainly haven't helped. Xavi has been forced into a number of changes every week, often deploying players out of position in order to piece together a solid XI. It's something that seems to have taken a toll on certain individuals, with Robert Lewandowski, in particular, seeing his form dip.

Still, there is some good news. A dominant centre-back has started to look close to his best, while a midfield stalwart might just be shedding some of the negative press that has plagued his young career.

BEYOND AFRICA rated every Barcelona player's performance so far this season to figure out who should be the frontrunners for the club's Player of the Season award.

19. Sergi Roberto (4/10) 

Xavi has repeatedly stuck up for Roberto, insisting that his vice-captain can deputise in a number of key roles. That may be true, but it's unclear which ones he actually functions in. Roberto doesn't offer the creativity of Pedri, finesse of Frenkie de Jong, or physicality of Oriol Romeu. And these days, he lacks the legs to make up for it. An unspecified injury has him sidelined, while rumours are swirling about a potential move to MLS.

18. Oriol Romeu (4/10) 

What exactly was Romeu supposed to be? The Barcelona academy player could never replace Sergio Busquets. The expectation was, perhaps, that he could function in the same way, providing the muscle at the base of the Barca midfield. However, his lack of pace, and non-existent agility has been costly. Once a nailed down starter, he has fallen out of favour. There's a reason he couldn't crack the line-up 10 years ago...

17. Fermin Lopez (5/10) 

Fermin didn't seem likely to be around the Barca squad in June, but a series of impressive showings in preseason - including a wonderstrike against Real Madrid - forced him into the picture. After a solid start, the academy product has slowed down, and will do well to serve as a backup as the rest of the squad returns to full fitness.

16. Inigo Martinez (5.5/10) 

After a tricky start to life at the Olympic Stadium, the cut-price backup has put together a series of impressive performances. He will never be first choice, but Martinez has shown he can be a more-than-agreeable reserve defender.

15. Alejandro Balde (5.5/10) 

At the end of last season, Balde looked like the best left-back in Europe. The teenager had established a perfect role for the Balugrana, marauding up the left flank, and serving as a key chance creator for a Barca side that strolled to the league title. But he hasn't quite found the same rhythm this season, despite being as active as expected.

14. Ferran Torres (5/10) 

What a confusing player! Torres seems to get into all of the right areas, and runs enough to justify inclusion. But his finishing is abysmal at times. After a promising start, that included five goals within the first two months of the season, he has tailed off.

13. Andreas Christensen (6/10) 

Christensen was arguably the best free agent signing in La Liga last year, establishing a formidable centre-back partnership with Ronald Araujo. Things haven't been as smooth this year, with Xavi experimenting with various configurations at the back. Christensen has shown enough to prove that he should be first choice when fit, though.

12. Pedri (6/10) 

Will Pedri ever be able to stay fit? The Spaniard is spellbinding on his day and, when fit, is comfortably among the best midfielders in world football. But injuries, once again, have plagued him, and he hasn't quite found his best since returning against Real Sociedad in early November.

11. Raphinha (6/10) 

Raphinha started his season in miserable fashion, swinging an elbow at an opposing defender against Getafe, and serving a three-match ban as a result. He improved to the tune of three goal contributions in three starts, but a muscle injury derailed his progress. He's looked bright since making his return, and will hope to recapture his best.

10. Jules Kounde (7/10) 

It turns out that allowing a player to start in his preferred position leads to an uptick in performance. Kounde spent most of last season awkwardly stuck at right-back, and turned in mixed showings as a result.

This year, in a more natural centre-back role, he has found form. A knee injury stalled things, but chances are, he will be at his best soon enough.

9. Robert Lewandowski (7/10) 

The striker had been the model of inconsistency this season. After starting slow, he rounded into form, tallying eight goal involvements in as many games. But an ankle injury seems to have derailed his groove. He is now scoreless in six — and starting to look his age.

8. Joao Cancelo (7/10) 

The first of the 'Joaos', Cancelo has offered vital creativity this season. Although his assist numbers haven't been excellent, his role in Barca's comeback win over Celta Vigo will go down in club history as one of the great performances. Questions will be asked about his exact fit. Xavi has deployed the right-back in more advanced areas in recent weeks, leading to a slight drop in performance. A fully-fit side will likely sort things out, though.

7. Marc-Andre ter Stegen (7.5/10) 

Ter Stegen kept the most clean sheets in Europe last season, if only because he didn't have all that much to do. But now, Barca are conceding more chances, and Ter Stegen hasn't quite been as reliable. He is still a very good goalkeeper, but the odd mistake has crept into his game. There isn't any reason for concern — yet.

6. Joao Felix (7.5/10) 

Lewandowski lamented Barcelona's lack of attacking quality earlier this season, taking to the press to criticise Xavi's tactics. The answer, it turns out, was to sign a player who does little else but attack. Felix has been instrumental in Barca's play, even if he isn't in the best form in front of goal; he hasn't scored in two months. Either way, a luxury player has become a vital one.

5. Ilkay Gundogan (8/10) 

Gundogan was always going to be a reliable role player for Barca, a plug-and-play option in any of the Blaugrana's four midfield spots. And he's been just that so far, keeping the ball moving and providing a crucial bit of creativity in the final third. He was a rare bright spot in an otherwise miserable Clasico, and has plugged a number of holes in an injury-ravaged Blaugrana midfield.

4. Gavi (8/10) 

He will always be a polarising presence, but Gavi is certainly more than the "thug" Madrid fans label him as. He's proved as such this season, featuring as a No.6, No.8 and de-facto No.10 for Xavi, providing his signature bite — as well as more flair — in a variety of roles. The disciplinary issues will likely stick around. But his ever-improving all-round game might just render them irrelevant.

3. Frenkie de Jong (8/10) 

Finally, De Jong is playing like the midfielder Barcelona were promised all those years ago. The Dutchman has bossed it in the middle of the park for the Blaugrana this year, pulling the strings for a side that looked otherwise lacking in rhythm. An ankle sprain has rather derailed things, but Xavi will hope to have his main man back soon.

2. Lamine Yamal (8/10)

It's hard to keep expectation levels down with Yamal. The winger has been among Barca's best players this season - and he's still just 16 years old. A devastating dribbler with an eye for a key pass, the product of La Masia is the perfect right-winger for this Barca team. But he needs to be looked after, especially given his small frame and young age. Xavi has done just that in recent weeks, holding Yamal out of big games, and opting to use him as an impact substitute. The numbers haven't quite been there, but his potential is undeniable.

1. Ronald Araujo (8.5/10) 

After suffering a few knocks at the start of the campaign, it looked like the Uruguayan might fail to hit the heights of last season. Those assumptions have been proven wrong, though, by a string of excellent performances at both right-back and centre-back, Araujo dominating in the air and on the ground. Add his late winner against Real Sociedad, and he might just be Barca's most important player.