Carles Alena made his senior debut for Barcelona under Luis Enrique during pre-season in 2016, but his real first-team breakthrough came last season.
The midfielder played 27 times, despite sitting out much of last year's pre-season with a thigh injury.
This 2019/20 campaign saw him start away at Athletic Club on matchday one of LaLiga Santander, but now Alena has disappeared from the team.
Ernesto Valverde hasn't called upon him since that defeat at San Mames and it will be difficult for the academy graduate to earn back his place.
Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Arthur Melo, Frenkie de Jong, Arturo Vidal and Sergi Roberto are all arguably ahead of Alena in the pecking order in the Barcelona midfield department at present.
Alena isn't losing patience, though, and is currently away on international duty with Spain's Under-21s.
Sergio-10
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
how old are you?
yakeopyz
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
man you don't know even abc of football
Sergio-10
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
not everyone can play most of the younger players get there chance at barcelona b.
Sergio-10
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
*are
Sergio-10
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
suarez and messi is injured right now
hezekno
0
leave d coach alone jare, d midfield is over crowded. he can't bench anybody dere currently d best tin is to loan him. u guys are just blaming the coach all the time. u think to coach barca na small work. you'll get confused because of the caliber of players dere. & barca is a team dat always want you to win, other teams have equipped themselves as well
u don't know Wat you're saying you're just typing
yakeopyz
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
did you see any 3 midfielders getting injured ?
Sergio-10
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
and then when times like now where our starters get injured.. who would play?
jonatzDjango
1
hope Barcelona dont loose him.. he is a marvel to watch brilliant imagine him being managed by Guardiola
danielozoagudickson
0
Alena was seen as Messi successor in 2018 Now Fati is seen as Messi successor....But deep down we know Messi is irreplaceable as Ronaldo is also irreplaceable....
Fat Ronaldo [byebye]
Yowlopyz
1
the boy is good
Rababeiopu
2
Vidal rakitic they need to move on it's time for young players to shine
Hoodrich10
1
can you just sack this valverde, this stupid man is destroying talents😢😢. such a bad time to be a Barcelona fan😭
yakeopyz
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
at least coach should think about it and may send them on loan instead of benching these younger players.
Sergio-10
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
everybody cant play unless fifa change the substitute rule so stop it
yakeopyz
0
this is a waste of talent so many midfielders and coach is doing nothing .Sack valverde.
Keubmtuyz
8
is Alena not above 21 I prefer alena to Roberto in midfield
Fezbdosuy
0
leave d coach alone jare, d midfield is over crowded. he can't bench anybody dere currently d best tin is to loan him. u guys are just blaming the coach all the time. u think to coach barca na small work. you'll get confused because of the caliber of players dere. & barca is a team dat always want you to win, other teams have equipped themselves as well
which caliber,gone are those days bro....see in Barcelona honestly we are nothing without leo,so stop saying caliber because he does the job of our midfielders far better than them, score goals and coordinate both the midfield and attack....so you people should just stop all this do you think coaching Barca is easy....why are you hired at the first place,to come and watch Netflix and chill?.... that's his craft and he has not been anything but an absolute garbage
Fezbdosuy
0
Time for Busquet to step down on Self Understanding even he's nice player. Time for De Jong to play on Mid & Arthur with Alena alongside him
Take that back bro....busquets step down are you serious?...do you think there's any midfielder in Barcelona squad right now that's as intelligent as busquets... please remember u don't have a strong attack removing busquets from the mid position is never the problem of Barcelona....the real problem is the manager,I pray God to update he's sense of reasoning so that he can start pairing busquets, Arthur melo and de jong together... don't say remove busquets again are you sure you watch Barcelona matches?
Cewacdkny
3
he is not good player
Ngaopunidarcula
3
Just sack valverde that's all barca will be settle back to is own position
10andreas
0
Time for Busquet to step down on Self Understanding even he's nice player. Time for De Jong to play on Mid & Arthur with Alena alongside him
Yeah I saw the game too & mentioned he's still a good player . But that doesn't change the fact that he's downgraded really lowest of his career. I mean he's too slow & can get dispossessed easily , does mispass a lot these days . I hope Alena would not move other club on loan or on permanent just because he didn't get a chance to play & those old midfield player be the reason. So I just want to see a strong midfield where you can expect Better through balls,passes nice defending too , dealing with counters.
MoazzamBaloch
1
Time for Busquet to step down on Self Understanding even he's nice player. Time for De Jong to play on Mid & Arthur with Alena alongside him
Busquets is our legend and he was the reason we drew against Osasouna. We were losing 1-2 when busquets made some great tackles and earned back the ball in the penalty area through which Arthur scored. Don't see ratings, see the game. You will then know his importance
MoazzamBaloch
4
I think the best for him will be to go on loan in January for the rest of the season. Maybe we sell Rakitic and Vidal next season so I think he should go on loan because players like Riqui Puig and Alex Collado are already there for the Cup games
kewbdkmnpr
0
in pecking order I think it is 1. Busquet 2. Sergi Roberto 3. De jong 4. Arthur 5. Vidal 6. rakitic 7. Alena
No you are wrong. Rakitic is valverde favorite but because of the transfer news that occurred that’s why he was seen on the bench
10andreas
2
Time for Busquet to step down on Self Understanding even he's nice player. Time for De Jong to play on Mid & Arthur with Alena alongside him
iamildaz
3
Alena was seen as Messi successor in 2018 Now Fati is seen as Messi successor....But deep down we know Messi is irreplaceable as Ronaldo is also irreplaceable....
HkGadhvi07
1
Then why they don't loan him for his improvement
DavidNwannukwu
1
in pecking order I think it is 1. Busquet 2. Sergi Roberto 3. De jong 4. Arthur 5. Vidal 6. rakitic 7. Alena
Vucbceir
0
puig is far better than him
PrabeshDahal
2
last game using Roberto ra was mistake . Valverde realised it and use useless Alena this time
hezekno
0
leave d coach alone jare, d midfield is over crowded. he can't bench anybody dere currently d best tin is to loan him. u guys are just blaming the coach all the time. u think to coach barca na small work. you'll get confused because of the caliber of players dere. & barca is a team dat always want you to win, other teams have equipped themselves as well
raynknight
2
Hey Alena , Try playing at RB or GK position .... MayBe Valverde gives u a Chance there
IshanDwivedi
0
valverde out
Wucaekru
1
valverde out
pemaelorst
1
I don't understand why they're keeping him.
Kucaiptyz
0
and still Bertomeu and Barca think we need Valverde
Nudanos
3
Alena is arguably a very average player. Puig should rather be given the spot and a chance to prove himself
Zira_Sina
5
where is the Velverd???
sample12
1
valverde is the problem not players valverde out valverde out valverde out we don't need you
Santospaudel92862
0
valvardeout plz