Barcelona academy graduate’s position in serious danger as January signing steps up | OneFootball

Barcelona may have celebrated a comfortable 3-0 win over Levante, but one of the biggest stories from the night was not just the scoreline – it was the performance of Joao Cancelo.

The Portuguese defender, currently on loan, delivered a complete display at left-back. He was sharp in possession, aggressive in pressing, and intelligent in his positioning. 

His impact did not go unnoticed, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that his performance has now placed real pressure on Alejandro Balde, who suddenly finds his starting spot under serious threat.

The young academy graduate is experiencing something unfamiliar – real competition.

In Barcelona’s last two La Liga fixtures, Balde has not started. 

Against Girona, he was introduced late and against Levante, he did not leave the bench. For a player who had previously enjoyed consistent minutes when fit, this is a clear change in hierarchy.

Cancelo is impressing

Hansi Flick made a deliberate tactical choice by pushing Cancelo to the left side instead of rotating elsewhere in defence. 

Alejandro Balde is in a difficult situation. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

That decision was not experimental, as Cancelo’s intelligence in possession and his ability to drift into central areas added control, something Barcelona have prioritised in tight league games.

Looking deeper at recent selection patterns, Balde has started only twice in the club’s last five official matches – once in La Liga against Mallorca and once in the Copa del Rey against Atletico Madrid. 

There is no injury explanation this time, as it appears to be a technical decision.

While Balde remains one of the most exciting full-backs developed by Barcelona in recent years, flashes of inconsistency have crept into his performances. 

That said, Balde’s situation is far from desperate. Clubs such as Inter Milan and Manchester United are reportedly attentive to his development, which shows his market value remains high. 

However, there is no indication that he wants to leave, and Barcelona have no plans to push him out.