Luis de la Fuente considers dropping Barcelona star from Spain squad after poor form with Barca

Many Barcelona players are experiencing a notable drop in their performances, far from their peak form. This decline has raised concerns for Hansi Flick, who is increasingly worried about the downturn of key players once considered vital to his squad. According to the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, this downturn could lead to these players losing their roles as essential team members. A notable example is Alejandro Balde, whose struggles have been especially concerning.

After a season marked by criticism over his performance, Balde was expected to make a strong comeback this season following a lengthy injury that sidelined him for months. Hansi Flick, confident in his potential, rejected the idea of selling him in the summer, hoping for a strong recovery. However, Balde’s ongoing physical issues have left him far from the form he displayed two seasons ago when he was regarded as one of the top players in his position globally.

As a result, Deco and Joan Laporta are contemplating signing a new left-back to compete with the current trio, as Gerard Martín is seen as an unreliable option. Alejandro Grimaldo and Alphonso Davies have been mentioned as potential targets.

Balde now faces a major challenge to retain his place at Barcelona, and his chances with the Spanish national team could also be in jeopardy. He hasn’t been called up to “La Roja” for over a year and missed the European Championship due to injury. While he still hopes to return and regain his regular spot, Luis de la Fuente is unlikely to rely on him if his form doesn’t improve, despite many expecting Balde to succeed Jordi Alba both at Barcelona and internationally.

The competition for the left-back spot in the national team is fierce, with Marc Cucurella and Alejandro Grimaldo being key players, while Miguel Gutiérrez and Álvaro Carreras are also on De la Fuente’s radar. To earn a spot in both the national team and Barcelona, Balde must step up his performances and take on more responsibility at the club.

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