Barcelona need to get rid of Antoine Griezmann (and his family)

Antoine Griezmann has failed to live up to massive expectations at Barcelona. That, combined with his family’s antics, means he should be sold this summer.

Barcelona acquired Antoine Griezmann with the idea that he could complete their star-studded front line. Instead, he’s struggled to find his stride alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. It’s now best for everyone involved that Griezmann find a new club this summer.

The recent antics of the forward’s family certainly haven’t helped his standing at the club. Both his father and brother took aim at embattled manager Quique Setien in the midst of Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Griezmann’s brother expressed his desire to “cry” at the fact that the 29-year-old Frenchman only got a few minutes of match time against his former club.

It’s fair to point out that Setien is unlikely to survive the club’s current campaign. Barcelona will need a great deal of luck to overtake Real Madrid to win La Liga. It’s possible the club could find a way to manufacture a Champions League title, but the odds are stacked against the squad providing Setien that kind of effort.

While it’s possible that another manager can get more out of Griezmann next season, it would be unwise for Barcelona officials to make that gamble. Plenty of European powers still believe Griezmann can be one of the most prolific attackers on the continent. Barcelona should strike while the iron is hot to sell him for a massive fee.

If Griezmann were a younger player then Barcelona could afford to wait on him to adjust to life at Camp Nou. The advanced age of both Messi and Suarez should push the Spanish giants to invest in younger attackers this summer. Griezmann may be the youngest of that attacking trio, but he’s still at the tail end of his prime. Players that are so dependent on pace tend to see their performance level fall off when they enter their 30s.

Combining Griezmann’s potential fee with the profit the club made on their recent Arthur-Pjanic swap would give Barcelona the funds required to purchase a young attacker who might be able to anchor their attack for years to come. It’s time for Barca to start planning for life after Messi and Suarez.

Purchasing Griezmann was a reasonable gamble by Barcelona, but it’s time for the club to cash out before his performances hit rock bottom. The combination of his erratic play and his family’s drama makes him a poor investment for a club of Barca’s stature.