The Barcelona team has been revived since the beginning of the year with all of their players returning from injuries. Players such as Pedri Gonzalez, Memphis Depay, and others are fully fit to compete for the Blaugrana. As a result of this factor, Barcelona’s midfield has a plethora of choices. This might pose major problems for Riqui Puig.
Nico Gonzalez, Sergio Busquet, Frankie De Jong, Gavi, Pedri, and Riqui Puig. They all will compete for a spot in the midfield trio.
Riqui Puig was left out of the starting XI in the last Classico. Moreover, his absence from the bench indicates that Xavi Hernadez does not count on him. The 22-year-old has made six appearances for the Catalan giant this season, contributing zero goals.
Several European clubs approached the La Masia graduate during the previous season, including As Roma, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, and AC Milan. But he turned them all down. He aspired to be a starter and flourish in Barcelona.
The Spaniard’s market value has dropped from €25 million to €9 million in the last two years, according to Transfermarket.com.
Still no change under Xavi
Given Xavi’s similar background as a player at the club to Riqui Puig’s, it was expected that things would improve with him in charge. The arrival of the new coach, on the other hand, has had little effect, since the midfielder has only played 262 minutes since his hiring, which is not impressive.
Xavi sends a message to Riqui Puig during the game against Granada. Barcelona chose Alvaro Sanz over Puig as a substitute, indicating that the Blaugrana coach does not have faith in this player. However, none of his first-team coaches, including interim Sergi Barjuan, have expressed confidence in him. Sergi, Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setién, Ronald Koeman, and now Xavi Hernández spring to mind. Nobody has seen enough of Riqui to desire him to play a larger role.
Riqui Puig is getting older, but he can’t seem to gain regular playing time at Barcelona. This season’s breakouts by Gavi and Nico Gonzalez haven’t helped matters, while Pedri has returned from injury and put in a world-class performance against Real Madrid in their most recent match.
According to various sources, Getafe, Arsenal, and Juventus have all expressed interest in the Spaniard, whose contract with the Blaugrana expires in June 2023.
Riqui Puig has until the conclusion of the winter transfer window to make a decision; otherwise, he would be a second-choice midfielder for another season at Barcelona.
THE DECISION IS RIQUI’S
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