Alejandro Balde’s place at left-back under threat at FC Barcelona – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona picked up all three points in their latest league outing against Levante, despite Hansi Flick opting to make several changes to his starting lineup.

One key decision was deploying Joao Cancelo at left-back, a move that paid off handsomely. The Portuguese fullback delivered an outstanding performance, providing an assist, hitting the post, and earning the Man of the Match award for his attacking flair and overall dominance on the flank.

This decision, however, according to Mundo Deportivo, has cast further uncertainty over Alejandro Balde’s position in the team. The 22-year-old La Masia graduate has now been left out of the starting XI for two consecutive matches and did not feature at all against Levante after coming on for the final half-hour against Girona.

In the last five official matches, Balde has started only two: against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey and Mallorca in La Liga. This represents one of his least prominent periods at the club without any injury involved, as he has shown signs of inconsistency in recent outings.

Competition at Barcelona leaves little room for error, and Flick’s decision to opt for Cancelo at left-back and his outstanding performance signal a clear threat to Balde’s place. The German manager does not yet appear fully convinced by the 22-year-old’s current form.

Despite these setbacks, Balde remains a highly rated talent with European interest. Inter Milan and Manchester United are reportedly monitoring him ahead of the summer transfer window.

The player remains under contract and has expressed no desire to leave, keeping his long-term future tied to Barcelona for now. How his role develops under Flick in both the short and long term remains to be seen.