beIN SPORTS

By David Cartlidge (@davidjaca)

When discussing Barcelona, goalkeepers are usually the last subject on most people’s minds. The success of the club in recent years has shown however, behind every great team - be it with Pep Guardiola or Luis Enrique - there has been a special presence behind the backline.

Most recently it has been Claudio Bravo. And now that he’s departing the club, it’s time to look back and appreciate what has achieved, but also look forward at what is to come for all parties involved.

The Chilean arrived at Barça as a good goalkeeper - and will leave an even better one. An icon of sorts at Real Sociedad, he was an undoubtedly solid presence that was underrated in bigger circles. When Barça signed him it made a lot sense. While many fans craved for a more glamorous name - Thibaut Courtois for instance - the club opted for someone cheaper, and experienced. Bravo turned out to be the perfect move. In his two years at the club he’s been a considerable part of the success, and not just an onlooker as MSN and co dazzled their way to numerous trophies.

His performances against Real Madrid come to mind for instance. The 0-4 especially so, but the, 2-1 in March 2015 as well. Keeping a clean sheet in 56% of his games with the Catalans remains impressive given the team was not only going through transition in general, but he also had a backline that was finding itself out. Overall Bravo has been the best possible stopgap, because that’s all he has been as Barça developed Marc-André ter Stegen. 

Manchester City’s money is still well spent however. Bravo indeed packs all those attributes of being experienced and stable, but also possesses the much talked about qualities with his feet on the field. Pep Guardiola, like he did when he broke the bank for John Stones, needs players to help get his philosophy across. Bravo will be chief in that regard. Any potential success at City, will begin with Bravo. 

Meanwhile back in Barcelona, the subject Bravo’s exit was inevitable and the fact they will take a hefty fee for a goalkeeper that is 33-years-old makes this an outstanding deal. 

Then there is Ter Stegen. An in-house replacement ready to go, and one with the potential of being a world class goalkeeper. He’s not quite there yet, he’s not up there with David de Gea. But with games, consistency, he can get there.

The German has all the attributes to become one of the best around in his role, with Barca the perfect team in terms of style to help him fulfill that. There was a great danger he would walk away too, with Ter Stegen changing his tone over the last year or so.

"I want to take the next step and to play more. So the situation is clear, if nothing changes we will have to talk.” said the 24-year-old. Talk of a move to Liverpool amongst others surfaced, with the goalkeeper frustrated at still having his training wheels attached.

Barça have now addressed that once and for all though, as they continue this quest to reduce the average age of the team and look to the future. There will be some moments of doubt over Ter Stegen, he will inevitably make mistakes. Twenty-four is incredibly young in goalkeeping terms. But faith shouldn’t be lost. He’s a confident man, the kind who swept into his first press conference as a Barca player and dished out some perfect Spanish.

Now settled in the dreamy seaside town of Castelldefels, which has suddenly become overrun with Barça players, Ter Stegen is ready for the biggest challenge of his career. Leaving Barca was an option, but not one he really wanted to consider in all honesty. Taking over the gloves - and boots - left behind by Victor Valdes appealed far more. No goalkeeper in any club side around the world has a more important role than the one at Barça.

Valdes was an important figure in that Barca dressing room, it’s perhaps not documented enough just how much. Ter Stegen no doubt has designs on similar, such has been the eagerness of the man from Mönchengladbach just to play regularly.

It’s a rare deal in which everyone can walk away happy. Pep has a goalkeeper in Bravo comfortable with he ball at his feet.

Barça meanwhile have Ter Stegen - the money is just a bonus.