Barcelona still consider 22-year-old homegrown star a key player despite lack of minutes

Barcelona still consider 22-year-old homegrown star a key player despite lack of minutes The 2026/27 season has proven to be a difficult one for some Barcelona players, who have found it hard to break into Hansi Flick’s setlled unit. Alejandro Balde happens to be one such player, with the left-back struggling for prominence and considering the possibility of leaving the club in January. Another La Masia talent who finds himself in a similar situation is Gavi. The midfielder has barely featured on a regular basis this term and is reportedly not very pleased with the treatment from manager Flick . Gavi still an important part of the team However, according to Fabrizio Romano , even though Gavi has not played regularly this season, those within Barcelona continue to consider him an important player in the squad. As such, there will be no talk of a potential exit for the 22-year-old academy graduate, despite his reduced prominence in Flick’s plans. So far in 2026/27, Gavi has played only 191 minutes across seven matches, starting only two. Struggling for minutes. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) While he did miss a couple of matches with a minor injury, the midfielder has been an unused substitute in five La Liga matches this term. In fact, the fan-favourite midfielder did not get a single minute in Barcelona’s previous two matches against Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves. Competition in midfield makes things difficult Gavi’s lack of prominence in Flick’s lineup comes due to the extremely difficult competition for places in midfield. Pedri has been a permanent starter for the Blaugrana for years now, and summer signing Rodri has established himself as the manager’s preferred option alongside the Canary Islander. Marc Bernal, too, has impressed whenever given chances, while Fermin Lopez has become the undisputed starter in the attacking midfield position. Gavi has barely played this season. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images) This has left Gavi without much opportunity to make inroads and stake a claim for a regular berth in the Barcelona midfield. With Frenkie de Jong back from injury, things will only get more difficult. Nevertheless, despite his situation being as it is, Barcelona continue to see the 22-year-old World Cup winner as an important player. What Flick has said on Gavi’s situation Earlier today, Flick spoke to the media in his press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Aston Villa, where he shed light on Gavi’s predicament. “We all know his quality and Gavi is always an option, but once the match starts that option might disappear and you can’t always stick to your initial plan,” Flick said . “I’ve spoken to him and the important thing is that he has confidence,” he added. Whether the young midfielder’s situation changes in the coming weeks remains to be seen. But what is given is that Barcelona continue to see him as a pivotal part of the team.