Barcelona defender faces a new, harsh reality at club as Flick sends clear message

Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde is facing an uncertain future at the club after a disappointing start to the new season, as revealed by SPORT. Hansi Flick, the German coach, has been explicit in his message to Balde during the match against Athletic Club, demanding the young left-back to give his best effort. Flick demonstrated this message through his tactical decisions, benching Balde and opting for Xavi Espart and Joao Cancelo in his place.

Although Balde had initially decided to fight for his place at Barcelona, his frustration was evident when he was excluded from the match, effectively becoming the team's third-choice left-back. Xavi Espart was the starting left-back, while Cancelo replaced Balde in the left flank, leaving the young player feeling dejected. Balde's position has become even more precarious due to Espart's emergence and the arrival of Cancelo, who has further weakened his chances of playing regularly.

At just 22 years old, Balde, a La Masia graduate, has enormous potential, but he now stands at a crossroads. He can either continue to fight for his place at Barcelona or consider exploring other options that may offer him a more prominent role. With September 1 approaching, finding an attractive destination will not be easy, although Manchester United and AC Milan have been rumored to show interest in the 22-year-old.

Valued at around €40 million, Barcelona has not ruled out the possibility of selling Balde, but they are looking for a significant fee. The Catalan club has kept Balde involved with the first team, unlike other players such as Hector Fort and Marc Casado. However, for now, his role under Flick appears to be a secondary one, and a January transfer window could provide Balde with another opportunity to leave the club if his role remains restricted.