Alejandro Balde is yet to play a single minute of football for Barcelona this season after being linked with a move away from the club this summer, and his coach addressed his situation.
Hansi Flick spoke at a press conference on Tuesday and was asked about Balde, and the coach explained that the full-back’s lack of playing time is tied to the competition for places and the sudden and unexpected rise of Xavi Espart, who made the left-back position his own ahead of both Balde and the presumed starter
in João Cancelo.
“At the moment we have five full-backs: two on the right, and of course João can play on either the left or right, and three on the left. Nobody expected Xavi Espart to play at this level before the season, so of course he has to give his best, and he is.
“Of course, the situation isn’t ideal, that’s normal. He’s not playing, he’s not getting minutes. In the last two years he was a key player, that’s normal. But in the end, when the season starts, things change, young players come in, things happen and you have to manage them.
“We have to play at the highest level and everyone has to show it. Am I not happy with him? No. I’m happy with him and with all the players. It’s not an easy situation, but they’re doing well. Everyone is competing for the positions they play. We have two or three players who can play in each position, which is good for me, for the club, and for the team. But managing everything is the hardest part.”
Flick is correct. The season is long, the squad is very deep, and players are competing at the highest level for every spot on a daily basis.
Balde is currently at the bottom of the depth chart but injuries and other circumstances could afford him a chance soon, and it’s up to the player to take advantage of the opportunity and prove he should play regular minutes.
