It is becoming evidently clear that FC Barcelona are far away from being their own ideal version. The Catalan giants have just faced some undeniable evidence of their lackluster quality against Real Madrid. However, where Barcelona go from here will be decided entirely by them.
One place where they can definitely start is their recruitment area. At the moment, there are several positions in the team where it feels as if there are no specialists available at Xavi’s disposal. The pivot position is a clear example of this, but there is another that also needs work.
Highlighting the left-back position is thus of the utmost importance. At the moment, Barcelona have only one available left-back and his name is Alejandro Balde. The Catalan giants, as per SPORT, are thus looking for a new competitor as well.
At the moment, with only Balde being available as the primary left-back, he is pushed by no one. Previously, Joao Cancelo emerged as a more than capable alternative, but his current recovery is set to keep him sidelined for some time. As such, the young Barcelona fullback has basically no one to challenge him.
Previously, Marcos Alonso could possibly have offered some competition but he too is currently injured. Moreover, since the signing of Inigo Martinez, Alonso has already lost a lot of importance. Balde, on the other hand, has declined in terms of what he provides Barcelona.
Moreover, due to the financial dilemma of the club, they can not even attempt to bring in a new arrival. Due to this issue, the likes of Hector Fort and Gerard Martin have played as a left-back on some occasions. However, even that feels as if it is a temporary bandage on a much larger problem.
Balde, ironically, also began his ascendancy in the first team as a competitor to former Barcelona hero Jordi Alba. Having been the undisputed starter for many years, Alba was given Balde’s competition at the right time. That allowed both fullbacks to give their all whenever they were given a chance.
Moreover, whenever someone’s performance waned, the other would take over. Unlike that time, however, Barcelona now have no one to push Balde. As such, complacency has possibly seeped in. With the season still long, Barça hope to address this issue as soon as possible.
