Miralem Pjanic did a good job in the second half of Tuesday’s friendly against Juventus. Therefore, he could still have shot at keeping his spot in the Barcelona squad. Looks like it’s up to him and the coach.
Xavi Hernández spoke to the press after the match and was very complimentary of the Bosnian midfielder. Pjanic did the Sergio Busquets role during his 45-minute cameo against his former club.
“I liked him a lot. He gives us a lot with the ball, he found the interior midfielders well, he has a rare vision of play in general, because there aren’t that many who can see how to play with the first touch. He’s always looking forward. He looks for the striker well, he helps the other midfielders open up the pitch. He played a great game.”
Xavi went on to say that “a lot could happen until the end of the transfer market”, which offers Pjanic at least some hope of staying.
Pjanic arrived to Barcelona in the shady Pjanic-Arthur swap deal. Under Ronald Koeman, he never had a chance to prove his worth. Moreover, his public statements on how much he was unhappy on the bench didn’t help.
Moreover, his time on loan at Besiktas last season wasn’t good either. Therefore, it seemed he was only going to stick around at Barça in this preseason until the club found a buyer.
But all he can do is perform to the best of his abilities with the chances he’s given. And if Frenkie De Jong ends up leaving there will be an opening in midfield. Could Pjanic perform a small miracle and earn a spot in the squad this season? Time will tell.
