Barcelona youngster slowly becoming an undisputed starter for Xavi

Alejandro Balde was one of the top performers during Barcelona’s narrow win over Valencia. The young fullback ran up and down the pitch, offering width and creativity out wide that helped Barça stretch the Valencia backline.

The performance was a testament to Balde’s rapid rise to prominence which has seen the player become a first-team regular at Camp Nou.

Xavi himself has recently commented on Balde’s performance against Valencia, suggesting that the opposition made the mistake of offering him too much freedom on the flanks.

In light of Balde’s breakthrough this season, Mundo Deportivo say that the youngster is slowly becoming an irreplaceable player for Xavi’s Barcelona.

The Spaniard’s contract expires in the summer of 2024, and a renewal could be on its way soon enough.

Sealing Balde’s long-term future at Camp Nou could be essential for Barcelona, especially when the club has been let down by the underwhelming performances of veteran Jordi Alba.

The Spaniard has struggled with a lack of form and is not considered a vital part of Xavi’s first-team setup anymore. In fact, the Catalans are reportedly keen on sanctioning his sale in the upcoming January transfer window.

With that in mind, it could be imperative that Barça keep hold of Balde. The youngster has shown immense potential this season and has what it takes to become the club’s number-one left-back in the years to come.

With the January transfer window just around the corner, it will not come as a surprise to see Barcelona fast-track the process of renewing Balde. However, the club may also look to delay the process as much as they can, knowing they will have to weigh the rising salary cost of the player.

A guaranteed January sale of a fringe player could prove to be essential before Barcelona can meter out any new deals.

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