Franck Kessie is mostly known as an elite ball-winning midfielder.
However, the Ivorian star could also play as a box-to-box midfielder or as a central attacking midfielder.
We could get some versatility in this man – let’s see how he could fit into Xavi’s team next season.
Option 1
Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Araujo, Garcia, Alba; Pedri, Kessie, Gavi; Adama, Aubameyang, Fati.
Kessie’s primary role would be to replace Sergio Busquets.
The Ivorian could add defensive quality to the Barcelona squad: with 1.96 blocks and 1.51 aerials won per 90 minutes, he is averagely a better choice than most midfielders in Europe’s top 5 leagues. These qualities are important when you have a really young center-back pairing of Araujo and Garcia.
Kessie is also great at passing: his pass completion per 90 mins is 88 percent which is close to the highest figures among the midfielders in the top 5 leagues.
Option 2
Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Araujo, Garcia, Alba; Kessie, Busquets, Gavi; Adama, Aubameyang, Fati.
Fitting both Busquets and Kessie into one line-up wouldn’t be a problem.
The Milan star loves carrying the ball and progressing with it forward – this is why people often call him the new Yaya Toure.
With 2.61 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes (average 1.35, highest 5.74), Kessie is a standout midfielder who could perform his attacking duties quite eagerly.
Option 3
Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Araujo, Garcia, Alba; Pedri, F. de Jong; Adama, Kessie, Fati; Aubameyang.
Kessie even plays as a central attacking midfielder on some occasions.
The 25-year-old attempts more than one shot per 90 minutes and boasts a tally of 36 goals in 207 appearances for Milan.
2.50 shot-creating actions per 90 mins tell a lot about his offensive impact in Serie A.
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