Xavi’s two options to fill in key position as Barcelona defender’s season could be over – report

The way Alejandro Balde was wincing in pain and in tears when he walked off the pitch during Barcelona’s Copa del Rey against Athletic Club suggested that his injury was serious.

Just 20 minutes into the match, the 20-year-old went down clutching the back of his right thigh before being taken off by manager Xavi Hernandez.

Xavi with no senior left-backs in the squad

Tests were carried out yesterday at the club’s training facilities and the prognosis does not appear to be that great. Indeed, Balde’s injury might need surgery in which case his season could be as good as over.

An official announcement regarding the surgery is yet to arrive, but everything indicates that the La Masia graduate is done for this campaign.

On top of that, Marcos Alonso is also sidelined after undergoing surgery to fix his back problem. And he is still four to six weeks away from recovering, leaving Xavi with no senior left-backs at his disposal.

Two options for the Barcelona manager

Given the situation, Gabriel Sans of Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Xavi has two options to fill in the left-back slot in the coming weeks in the absence of Alonso and Balde.

The two options are Joao Cancelo and Hector Fort, both natural right-backs who have shown that they can play on the left side.

Cancelo could be an option at left-back. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Cancelo is very familiar with playing on the left side of the defence and excelled in the role under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He also did well in the position when used by Xavi earlier this season.

However, it must be noted that the 29-year-old is himself returning from an injury and is still not 100% fit.

Meanwhile, Hector Fort is enjoying his first-team breakthrough this term and has already been used at left-back in the last two cup ties against Barbastro and Athletic Club – he replaced the injured Balde at San Mames.

The teenage starlet has given a very good account of himself in the matches he has played in and will grow in stature in the weeks to come.