Barcelona's most expensive bench ever: 294 million euros LaLiga Santander Cost of the subs against Alaves

The Barcelona bench on Saturday against Alaves was one that provided them with real luxury.

Never before in the history of the club had they had so many millions setting next to their coach.

Ernesto Valverde opted for a line-up of players who had all spent the previous season at Barcelona.

All of the summer additions sat together and they joined the most expensive signing in the club's history, Philippe Coutinho.

In total, the sum of money paid for the transfers of the seven subs totalled 294 million euros: Jasper Cillessen (13), Coutinho (155), Malcom (41), Clement Lenglet (35), Arthur (31) and Arturo Vidal (19).

That was just for six players too, when you consider that the seventh was Rafinha, who didn't cost anything.

The previous year, a group that cost 131 million euros to assemble were benched, a figure which is less than half the total of those who were sitting pitch side against Alaves.

It is an increase that has been taking place of late in a gradual manner and not with such a radical leap, and the quality of the players brings a big guarantee for Valverde.

In addition to a highly competitive starting XI, there is now a bench which offers numerous options and resources to the man in charge.

The situation is much changed from the previous campaign in which Valverde went through many games short of real solutions.

However, the board worked to resolve that issue and it certainly seems like a lack of resources can no longer be a problem at the Camp Nou.

It started when players who were no longer counted upon by Valverde, such as Aleix Vidal, Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina were sold.

In parallel to those exits, they have worked to add real quality to the squad.

The one negative to come from this influx of big-money foreign names is that it leaves very little room for youngsters coming through La Masia.

Last Sunday, the only player on the bench who came through the youth system was Rafinha.

Reviewing the first game of the season for the past number of years, it is a trend that you can observe.

Last year was similar to this one, while five seasons ago, all members of the bench came from the youth set-up.

The loss of players from La Masia and the evolution from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 is something that is being talked about at great length, with a lot of focus on criticism for the perceived loss of identity.