LaLiga 2018-19: 5 Ideal replacements for Gerard Pique at Barcelona

Reigning Champions Barcelona currently sits at top of the LaLiga table and their free-flowing attacking style is showing immensely tangible results, but in terms of defense, they are looking shaky right from the start of the 2018-19 campaign.

The 25 times La Liga Champions have conceded the most goals (18) in the top half of LaLiga table and their defensive fragilities are clearly seen and particularly, their man at the heart of their defense line Gerard Pique has come under the spotlight numerous times for unimpressive defensive showings. Especially, Barcelona's recent clashes against Athletic club and Valencia are nights to forget for the Spaniard.

Gerard Pique has been outstanding for the La Liga outfit throughout his reign at Camp Nou and by any margin, he will be remembered as one of the best defenders in the world. But, maybe the time has come for the World Cup winner. Pique is 31 years old and It looks like his downfall is commenced. Therefore, Barcelona cannot afford to be so dependent on him for long.

In this feature, we take a look at five outstanding defenders around who can be possible replacements for Gerard Pique.

#5 Jonathan Tah

Jonathan Tah signed for the Bundesliga outfit Leverkusen back in July of 2015 for just €7.5 million from Hamburger and since then has flourished to a great extent.

Tall, headstrong and outstanding in the air, Jonathan Tah is one of the best emerging defensive stars in the World. The German center back has an astute average of 1.6 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game. The defender has been tall and strong for Bayer Leverkusen it has seen him getting compared with Germany's defensive icon Jerome Boateng.

Being just 22 years of age, Jonathan can get even better in future, and would be an astute long-term defensive recruitment for Barcelona so as to replace Gerard Pique.