Flick confirms Balde has dropped to third in Barcelona's left-back pecking order

Alejandro Balde has not played a single minute for Barcelona this season, with head coach Hansi Flick confirming at a Tuesday press conference that the Spain international has slipped to third in the left-back pecking order behind Xavi Espart and João Cancelo.

Flick was candid about the situation, acknowledging that the lack of minutes is not ideal for Balde while stressing that it reflects the depth of options available rather than any breakdown in trust. “Every player must perform at the highest level,” Flick said, adding that he remains happy with Balde alongside the rest of his squad.

The key factor behind Balde’s absence is the emergence of Espart, a development Flick admitted few had anticipated before the season began. “Nobody had expected him to perform at this level,” the Barcelona coach said, adding that Espart must continue to deliver at that standard. Cancelo’s versatility — he is capable of operating on either flank — further complicates Balde’s path back into the side.

Flick outlined that Barcelona currently have five full-backs in their squad: two on the right and three on the left. He described that depth as a positive for the club and the team, while conceding that managing the competition it creates is the most demanding aspect of his job.

Balde had been linked with a move away from Barcelona during the summer transfer window but remained at the club. His situation is a sharp contrast to the previous two seasons, when he was a regular starter and considered one of the more reliable options in Flick’s predecessor’s setup.

Flick acknowledged that it is natural for a player to find things difficult when minutes are not coming, and pointed to the unpredictable nature of a season — injuries, form dips, tactical shifts — as potential routes back into contention for Balde. No timetable was offered, however, and for now the 21-year-old remains on the outside looking in at a Barcelona side that has, at least in the early weeks of the campaign, found unexpected solutions in his position.