Barcelona starlet has won over Flick despite playing in makeshift position in pre-season

The ongoing pre-season was always going to be a major test for the younglings at FC Barcelona as they hoped to convince new manager Hansi Flick and earn a place for themselves in the senior setup.

Safe to say that most of the youngsters who have been given an opportunity by the manager have made it count.

The likes of Marc Bernal, Marc Casado, and Pablo Torre all appear set to become a part of the first-team squad when the season starts in less than two weeks.

Another player who is likely to join them, as things stand, is Alex Valle.

Excelling in an unnatural position

Indeed, according to SPORT, Alex Valle has managed to win over Hansi Flick despite playing in a makeshift role as a right-back in pre-season.

Valle, a left-back by trade, spent the last season on loan at UD Levante and made a solid impression – so much so that the Blaugrana had decided not to sign a new player for the position following Marcos Alonso’s exit.

However, it was up to the 20-year-old to convince Flick and his staff that he is deserving of a place in the senior setup, which the youngster has seemingly achieved, despite not playing in his preferred position.

Without Jules Kounde, Hector Fort and Julian Araujo started the pre-season as the most realistic options at right-back, while Alejandro Balde, Gerard Martin and Alex Valle himself were the choices on the left side.

Alex Valle is here to stay. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

However, Flick pulled off a surprise by opting to field Julian Araujo as a right-winger against Manchester City and did not give him any minutes against Real Madrid.

Instead, Alex Valle played the entire second half against City as a right-back and more than an hour in the position in the Clasico, during which he even assisted a goal.

Winning over Flick

Valle’s presence at right-back is not a whim, but the result of having tried out several players in the same position. In addition to…

Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-starlet-has-won-over-flick-despite-playing-in-makeshift-position-in-pre-season/

Author : Michel Durant

Publish date : 2024-08-06 07:30:00

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