Barcelona coach considering calling up 19-year-old La Masia talent vs Elche amid injury woes | OneFootball

As FC Barcelona carried on their preparations for the upcoming game against Elche, there were a few new faces in the training session today at the Ciutat Esportiva.

One of the players called up by Hansi Flick to train with the senior team was midfield prodigy Tommy Marques, who celebrated his 19th birthday today.

Tommy Marques could be in the squad vs Elche

Now, according to SPORT, there is a possibility that Flick could call Marques up in the squad for Sunday’s game against Elche at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

With Pedri ruled out for over a month, Barcelona are short-handed in the midfield department at the moment. Gavi is also unavailable for a few more months, while Dani Olmo is also recovering from an injury.

So, depth in midfield is a concern for Flick at the moment, with Marc Casado, Frenkie de Jong, and Marc Bernal being the only three options for the two positions in the centre.

As such, there is a possibility that Marques could earn his first-ever squad call-up for Sunday’s league game against Elche.

Marques rated highly at Barcelona

Marques stands out as a physically mature midfielder with great energy and balance, a player who provides structure and intensity in the middle of the park.

The 19-year-old starlet has been an undisputed starter for Juliano Belletti’s Barça Atletic this season, featuring in eight games in the Segunda RFEF. This comes after he was a key figure in the Juvenil A’s treble-winning campaign last season under Belletti.

Marques is seen as a different kind of pivot midfielder than any currently in the Barça first team: dominant in the air, powerful in duels, and ideal to partner someone like De Jong, who is one of his idols.

The teenager is highly regarded by Barça’s sporting department, not just as a prospect for the future, but as a player who could soon make an impact in the present.

Flick and his staff have been following Marques closely, and barring any surprises, he is expected to train again with the first team on Friday and may even earn a call-up for the weekend clash.