Barcelona teenage prodigy could be called up vs Athletic Club amid absences | OneFootball

Barcelona find themselves entering the upcoming clash against Athletic Club with a worrying shortage of midfield options, and this situation has opened the door for a surprising but increasingly realistic name – Tommy Marquis. 

According to a recent report from SPORT, the youngster has become a genuine candidate to enter Hansi Flick’s squad list for the match, since the manager has called him into both yesterday’s session and today’s training as well.

This decision comes at a moment when the club is scrambling for solutions in the middle of the pitch. Pedri’s situation continues to be delicate. 

Although he recently stepped back onto the field to complete solo exercises, combining them with intense work in the gym, the plan is still centred around a gradual return. 

Barcelona want to accelerate his recovery, yet the staff remain unsure whether he will be available in time for the weekend.

Lack of options for Barcelona

Meanwhile, Marc Casado has only been able to complete part of the training session under the supervision of the physical trainers, and the team has also lost Frenkie de Jong through suspension after his red card against Celta Vigo. 

Tommy Marques could be named in the Athletic Club matchday squad. (Picture credit: Instagram/@tommy.marques)

With so many setbacks arriving at once, Flick is determined to ensure his bench includes as many functional options as possible.

That is where Marquis comes in. The Barça Atlètic midfielder has quickly become one of the strongest candidates to step up, largely due to the number of absences that have left the squad stretched. 

Although his presence is still not officially confirmed, the idea of including him in the match squad is gaining momentum.

Marquis has trained with the senior team on multiple occasions already, and today’s session marked his second consecutive day working directly under Flick. 

The manager has been monitoring the youngster closely for months and is an admirer of his positional discipline and tactical understanding.

Even so, should he make the list for the Athletic Club match, his role would likely be complementary.