Barça’s first team wrapped up the window with arrivals like Hamza, Gordon, Bisiwu, Adeyemi, Rodri, Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus and Livakovic and departures such as Rashford, Araujo, Héctor Fort, Ferran, Lewandowski and Casadó, among others from last season’s roster. With a deep squad, several players face uncertain roles in the coming months. Alejandro Balde, who has seen barely any game time, may need to rethink his options, though he isn’t alone.
After the window shut, his agent Jorge Mendes slipped a brief comment to reporters leaving a dinner with Joan Laporta: “Balde will be fine, don’t worry,” he said when asked about the left‑back, who at that point hadn’t featured in Xavi Flick’s opening matches. Balde, a regular starter last season, watched Cancelo overtake him in the latter half of the campaign and now sees Xavi Espart preferred this term. Flick has been crystal clear with him both now and at the end of the previous season.
Flick, the German coach, spotted a dip in Balde‘s performances during games and training, and wants him to battle the other left‑footed full‑backs for a spot, hoping the rivalry lifts the squad’s level. In my view, the coach’s gamble could backfire. Reality check: he remains the third choice at left back. So far, Flick has mainly started Espart and, in recent fixtures, Cancelo.
In eight matches to date, Balde, a 2022 World Cup participant and regular Spain call‑up until 2023, has logged just 12 minutes under Flick, all at the tail end of the 7‑2 Barcelona‑Racing LaLiga win. Such marginalisation could push the player toward a move he’s long resisted.
Since pre‑season, Balde, with a contract through next year, has been listed among those with uncertain futures, alongside Ter Stegen (loaned to Ajax), Araujo (loaned to Liverpool), Casadó (loaned to Deportivo), Bardghji (serious injury halted a possible sale) and even Koundé, who draws Premier interest.
The outbound activity for first‑team players fell short of the most optimistic projections, unlike the numerous departures from the B team or loan returns, limiting the fair‑play buffer the club hoped for. Despite firm Manchester United interest, Balde has not entertained a departure.
The January window looms as the chance for Balde to reshape his destiny if Flick boosts his minutes. United stays alert, and Jorge Mendes reiterated “he’ll be fine”. Could a winter move finally give the left‑back the platform he deserves?