Football is cyclical in nature and personnel changes are inevitable but losing a key player that’s served the team for a significant period can have a lasting impact.
The best course of action is to have a successor within the squad ready to step into the shoes of their senior team-mate and ensure a smooth transition into the next era which helps keep systems and formations intact.
Many clubs plan diligently for such events, ensuring an established star has someone to pass the torch to.
Here, we look at some of these succession plans unfolding right now.
BARCELONA | Ansu Fati succeeding Lionel Messi
His career may be in its infancy but Ansu Fati is already being hailed as the heir to Lionel Messi’s throne at Barcelona, and with good reason. The youngster has made a huge impact in his first few appearances, bursting onto the scene with some special performances before becoming a regular under new boss Quique Setien. Fati has the talent and capacity to flourish anywhere in the final third while showing maturity and composure beyond his years.
Not only does he boast the exciting dribbling ability and audacious skill Messi did when he first emerged but the 17-year-old is already generating a healthy output with five goals and an assist. The main reason why Fati could be the Argentine’s worthy successor is the commitment they both share towards training and the humility with which they do the extraordinary on the pitch.
It’s no secret that Messi is fond of the burgeoning talent and has taken him under his wing with his brother and manager serving as Fati’s advisor.
Messi: “I really like him [Fati] and I try to help and support him. He’s an amazing player and he’s got what it takes to succeed. But if I look at it through my eyes, I’d like them to bring him on gradually, like they did with me when I started, taking things nice and easy and without putting pressure on him.”
BORUSSIA DORTMUND | Giovanni Reyna succeeding Marco Reus
While Jadon Sancho’s journey with Borussia Dortmund appears to be reaching its conclusion with an imminent move to the Premier League on the horizon, the Bundesliga outfit remain well-stocked with regards to young talent withing the squad. Giovanni Reyna is the latest emerging star to catch the eye and is very much in the mould of club captain Marco Reus.
Both are playmakers with an eye for goal and the versatility to operate in any role in the final third. Reyna announced his arrival with a breathtaking strike against Werder Bremen in the German Cup but it’s his overall game during a handful of appearances that’s drawn comparisons with Reus. When the German international was injured earlier this year, Lucien Favre even suggested they had a ready-made replacement to call upon in Reyna.
Still only 17, you’d think the challenge for the American would be to handle the expectations that come with being compared to a club legend. But Reyna is no stranger to such pressure being the son of former United States captain Claudio Reyna and US Women’s international Danielle Egan.
Favre: “He’s [Reyna] a very intelligent player. He can play almost every position in any system.”
MANCHESTER CITY | Phil Foden succeeding David Silva
In terms of a succession plan, none is more obvious in football than Manchester City’s process of grooming Phil Foden to take over from David Silva. For nearly three years, pretty much since Pep Guardiola’s arrival, the young Englishman has been nurtured for that very purpose. As a left-footed attacking midfielder, Foden mirrors Silva’s close control, vision and short-passing excellence.
Like the Spaniard, his 19-year-old protege is even built similarly in physique and emulates his understated demeanour. Despite being one of the most highly-rated teenagers in the game, he’s been patient in terms of playing time and is determined to keep working hard. With Silva set to depart at the end of the season, Foden won’t be waiting in the wings much longer.
Guardiola is certainly confident of Foden’s ability to make the step up after famously declaring him the most talented player he’s ever coached. That, coming from the man who managed Messi, is quite a statement.
Silva: “He [Foden] will be a good replacement for me. I’ve given him lots of advice, like how to move on the pitch. He’s taken the information in and he’s getting better. He reminds me of myself when I was young — especially how he is as a person. He’s very quiet, but always there, competing. He hates losing.”
REAL MADRID | Ferland Mendy succeeding Marcelo
Marcelo has been a mainstay in Real Madrid’s back four for so long, winning four Champions Leagues and four league titles along the way. But his reign not only as one of the game’s most attacking left-backs but also Madrid’s first-choice in the position has come to an end. Since last season, the Brazilian has been off the pace, no longer capable of recovering from a lapse in concentration or a poor defensive choice.
That prompted Los Blancos to splurge €53m to acquire the services of Ferland Mendy from Lyon and over the 2019/20 campaign, the Frenchman has proved to be the superior left-back at this point in time. In many ways, Mendy is the perfect replacement for Marcelo as he retains much of his attacking prowess – he has pace to burn and delivers devastating crosses – while adding a significantly higher level of competence in defence.
With Mendy, Madrid have conceded just eight goals in 19 games (0.42 goals per game) this season and 15 goals in 15 games when Marcelo has been deployed.
Mendy: “I will be his [Marcelo’s] successor. He has a lot of time left, but if they’ve [Real Madrid] brought me here, it’s because they see potential.”
BAYERN MUNICH | Joshua Zikzee succeeding Robert Lewandowski
For the last couple of years many have wondered who Bayern Munich would target as Robert Lewandowski’s eventual replacement and Timo Werner seemed the most obvious candidate. However, within the club, they believe they already have the Pole’s heir in Joshua Zirkzee. The young Dutchman has made a big impression of late, scoring three times during his first 171 minutes of action in his Bundesliga career.
Not only does Zirkzee look the part with an archetypal No9’s physique like Lewandowski, but he also has the predatory instincts, aerial dominance and intelligence to fill his boots. The 18-year-old also boasts a good turn of pace and has impressed with his link-up play, presumably picking up a lot from Lewandowski in training.
Zirkzee: “His movement from crosses or how he moves between the lines. His timing, how he shields the ball, his sprints towards goal – I’m taking in everything Lewandowski does.”
