As Barcelona brace itself for a busy summer ahead, the future of multiple star players could be in danger.
In fact, about 90% of Barcelona players will reportedly be available in the transfer market. One of them could be Alejandro Balde.
Once regarded as the ideal replacement for Jordi Alba, Balde has fallen from grace this season, primarily due to injuries.
The youngster has featured in only 18 league matches this term, notably missing out almost the entirety of the second half of the season due to an injury. His struggles have led to speculation over his long-term future at Camp Nou.
Barcelona have faith in Balde
However, a recent report from Diario SPORT has suggested that Barcelona have complete faith in Alejandro Balde.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, in particular, has full faith in Balde. He views the young defender as a vital piece in the team’s future, possessing immense potential and room for growth.
Xavi’s vision for next season involves strong competition for every position, including left-back. The emergence of talents like Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal this season exemplifies the importance of the academy.
Balde will face competition, but Barcelona see him as the clear favorite for the left-back position from next season onwards.
What’s next for Balde?
The good news is that Balde’s recovery is exceeding expectations. A recent social media video showcases him running at full pace, indicating a return well ahead of schedule. This dedication ensures he’ll be ready to hit the ground running for pre-season training.
This could prove to be vital as Xavi would prefer having Balde right from the beginning. The player, for his part, would look to make an impression too, knowing there could be stiff competition for the left-back position next season.
As for Barcelona, the club remain keen on extending Joao Cancelo’s loan spell at Camp Nou while Alex Valle will be returning from an excellent loan spell at Levante. These two could be the possible competitors for Balde next season.
