Alejandro Balde future for Barcelona don dey cause plenty talk for months. Summer come, people link am with exit. The left-back decide to stay for Camp Nou. But since season start, e never play one single minute under Hansi Flick. Xavi Espart dey impress for left-back, so Balde face battle to regain him place.
Deco answer question about the situation. He say the youngster need fight for him spot for team. Deco tell RAC1 say nothing happen, na their player. He talk say Balde be 22 years old, get bright future, and get contract with best club for world. Deco add say Balde must fight for him place. He get injuries before, but two years ago he spectacular. If this Balde fit, e unlikely say he no go play for Barça. Plenty talk dey, but Balde never express desire to leave. Whether he play or not no be decision for sporting director.
Flick drop Balde from squad for game against Elche. But the coach make am clear say he never ask the youngster to leave. Balde don return to squad, but e still never come off bench for Barca.
Hansi Flick speak for press conference on Tuesday when dem ask about Balde. The coach explain say lack of playing time dey tied to competition for places and sudden unexpected rise of Xavi Espart. Espart make left-back position him own ahead of Balde and the presumed starter João Cancelo.
Flick tok say 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.
He continue say 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 correct. Season long, squad deep, and players dey compete for every spot daily. Balde currently dey bottom of depth chart. But injuries and other circumstances fit give am chance soon. Na up to player to take advantage of opportunity and prove say he suppose play regular minutes.
