Barca snatched Cuenca from Madrid and he is ready for first team job

With the injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti, Barcelona are down to just two fit centre-backs: Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet.

Ernesto Valverde, therefore, may have to dip into the B team. If he does, the player he is most likely to call up for first team duty is Jorge Cuenca.

Former Barcelona player Gerard Lopez was in the coach of Barça B last season and knows Cuenca well.

"Barça signed Cuenca year seasons ago and I'm sure he's a safe bet because he played for me with the reserve team." Gerard explained in his column for SPORT.

"He's a tall player who is good at bringing the ball out. And he trains like a lion. We snatched him away from [Real] Madrid and he's shown his ability. If Valverde needs him, he can be certain that he will help."

Barça signed Cuenca from Alcorcon in 2017, beating Madrid to his signature. His younger brother, David, does play for Los Blancos.