Barcelona are still actively searching for a suitable right-back. At the start of the season, Hansi Flick tried Eric García (24) in this position, but due to team injuries and Eric García's excellent performance in other positions, the head coach had to adjust his position as needed.
In the end, Jules Koundé (27) became the only option. Meanwhile, the club's management is completing an evaluation report on potential right-back candidates. One of the most concerned players is Julian Ryerson (28). Ryerson joined Borussia Dortmund from Union Berlin in 2023, his contract runs until 2028, and his current market value is about 20 million euros.
As a natural full-back, he has adapted to Dortmund's three-center-back system under Niko Kovač this season and sometimes plays the role of right-center-back, similar to Koundé's position when not participating in attacks. Ryerson's outstanding performance has prevented Yan Couto, whom Dortmund signed from Manchester City for 20 million euros, from fully securing the main right-back position.
Couto has played as a center-back when featuring alongside Ryerson. In some past matches, Ryerson has also filled in as a left-back. He has performed well in major games and once played as a starter in Dortmund's Champions League final against Real Madrid.
Ryerson's style is more offensive than Koundé's. Since Ryerson usually plays as a wing-back while Koundé partners with Lamine Yamal, Ryerson has better offensive data. Yamal's future role will affect the type of full-back Barcelona chooses. If he plays as a winger, the full-back's role will be different from when he plays as a midfielder, and Ryerson can competent both roles.
Although Ryerson touches the ball 21 times less per game than Koundé, he touches the ball 11 times more in the final third. Therefore, Ryerson creates more shooting opportunities per game, attempts more crosses than Koundé, has more frequent connections with the penalty area, and delivers more key passes. In contrast, Koundé has more frequent connections in the final third. The activity areas of the two are different.
Ryerson is one of the options Barcelona is considering signing, but not the only one. Recently, João Cancelo's name has also been mentioned, who played for Barcelona in the 2023-24 season.Ryerson's style is different from Cancelo's; he is not only good at taking set pieces but also can continuously press forward.
However, Barcelona's top priority in this winter transfer window is to find a left-center-back, while not ruling out seizing other opportunities in the market or signing versatile players. During this period, they are also preparing for the future by analyzing players like Ryerson.
