FC Barcelona are known for their Tika-Taka style of football. This becomes possible only when every player plays their part to perfection. It has always been an art watching them play beautifully from front to back. One of the best things about this system is the players are likely where they need to be, which even allows players in defensive positions to express themselves freely.
The Catalonia giants signed Marcos Alonso late on in the transfer window to replace club legend Jordi Alba, who has only had just 3 appearances so far this season. Alba hasn’t stopped being productive in the final third, but he is also good for a significant defensive error every few games. However, a different player has been in the limelight in Xavi’s team. This is 19-year-old full-back Alejandro Balde.
Balde was born and bred at FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy. Let’s take a deep dive into Alejandro Balde, his years in the youth academy, his playstyle and what he offers to the team.
💙❤️ Alejandro Balde is 1️⃣8️⃣ years old today!
🎂 Happy birthday! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/QBGtoxC4id— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 18, 2021
How good is Alejandro Balde?
Alejandro Balde has spent most of his life associated with FC Barcelona. Balde is a La Masia product through and through, having joined Barcelona at the age of eight. This is a player the whole of Barcelona is rooting for as it is proof that the Barca academy can still cultivate world-class talent at a variety of positions. Upon his arrival, Xavi felt dissuaded from taking chances on too many young players, and instead opted to rely on the experience of Alba and Pique, who had very good seasons themselves.
Alejandro Balde has been on the cusp of the first team for some time but struggled to earn minutes over Jordi Alba in Xavi’s first season in charge. Credit to Balde, as soon as the opportunity arrived to prove himself, he took it and ran with it. He had an impressive preseason, so much so that many pundits were wondering whether it was necessary to bring in Marcos Alonso at all.
As things stand, there is stiff competition at the left-back position, and Balde is beating all competition, putting in high-level performances on a consistent basis.
Alejandro Balde is Xavi’s favourite to start in the XI in the left-back position against Bayern Munich. If Xavi wants to opt for experience, then Marcos Alonso would be the one. Although Jordi Alba has not been completely ruled out either.
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