When Miralem Pjanic joined Barcelona last summer, he can't have imagined that his role would be so unimportant and now, for the first time, he's gone two games without even getting on the pitch.
The idea when bringing the Bosnian in from Juventus was that he would play a big part, perhaps rotating with Sergio Busquets, who was showing signs of needing a rest now and again.
The reality has been somewhat different, however, with Pjanic playing a very much background role and Busquets as immovable as ever from the team.
Ronald Koeman has had half a season to work out his preferred team and it has become clear that Pjanic is nowhere near it.
The Dutch coach has favoured a midfield trio of Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, and if they keep performing as they have been, Pjanic will have to continue to wait for minutes.
The 30-year-old can't be expected to be content with the situation, as he I not being used to looking on from the sidelines; this is a player who has been pivotal wherever he has gone.
More and more on the periphery
Pjanic must have been expecting some game time in the Copa del Rey at least, but after a less than inspiring outing against Cornella, he was left on the bench as a strong Barcelona team came from behind to beat Segunda side Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
That, on the back of watching the entirety of Sunday's win at Elche from the bench, meant two consecutive games as an unused sub for the first time in his Barcelona career.
Of the Blaugrana's 29 games this season, Pjanic has featured in 21, but in seven of those he played 15 minutes or less.
Overall, he has played in just 39 percent of the available minutes this season, and in that time has failed to register a single goal or assist.
The lack of consistency may be affecting Pjanic, too, as he seems to be getting further, not closer, from where Barcelona need him to be.
It remains to be seen what role he is to play in the second half of the season, starting on Sunday against Athletic Club, where he could play in Busquets' absence.
The match against the Supercopa de Espana champions could be a big chance to prove his worth, but if he doesn't play, he should be worried.
feacdlorst
1
I want Pjanic and puig paired in a game
Princetelly
0
Ok if he z better than Aurthur then why doesn't he play?..?who never knew that Pjanic was a flop...they brot him as a plan of useless Bartomeu just like the way Greizman came in when even himself knew that he wasn't going to play ....for selling a young talented player for a flop old player ....it will end in tears for Pjanic
Pjanic flop but pull us tonight
soyabimyz
0
i think barca have to get rit of pjanic
Thuglife42
0
Pjanic is not a Barcelona player. Pjanic have been playing boring defensive counter attacking football all his football career.
tuabdemt
0
pjanic should play regularly. bosquet lost in the big match.
Dgt
vewlmnoz
1
All Football, pls stop writing nonsense. Barca isn't like other clubs you easily arrive and adapt, he needs at least 6-months or a season to do that...only handful number of signings have made an instant impact (Jordi Alba)
Jordi Alba is a La Masia player... Was sold with a buy back clause to gain experience. Dani Alves and Ronaldinho both made instant impact.
Pukbelnpu
1
it's doesn't make sense coz rakitic n busquet understand FCB to pjanic
Alamin7806
0
pjanic should play regularly. bosquet lost in the big match.
ruwcklpst
1
Go and take Dzeko to replace that braithwait and Pjanic will be at he best. trust me
metbcmnt
1
please pjanic is a good prayer
metbcmnt
0
Barcelona ‘s problems are not the players, but the coach and staff
yes that's true
Bocbcdkoyz
0
He's learning that no ordinary player can play in la liga
Muucipsy
0
play Pjanic and leave Puig in the bench everyone complains, Koeman leaves Pjanic in the bench for just s couple of matches and plays Puig now they complain again
Soyablms
1
Barcelona ‘s problems are not the players, but the coach and staff
thanks
Pocho1
3
He was never good enough for Barça. gave up Arthur for this
Niyciouz
0
Barcelona ‘s problems are not the players, but the coach and staff
you are very stupid if you think the coach is doing something wrong
Mickelet
0
pjanic is good, and also good for Barcelona but he is not getting playing time due to your stupid coach
miydlmop
0
Koeman is the most stupid coach I’ve ever known, selling good players and potential players sitting on the bench, why buying players if you will not-used them . It will be better if barca fired koeman
I did not aak you to reply on my comment keep it for yourself
babdlmnpru
0
Koeman needs to give Pyanic the opportunity to prove himself in the team where he was , he was a fighter and hardworking
Pjanic needs time to adapt, the coach watches him in training more than we do
babdlmnpru
1
All Football, pls stop writing nonsense. Barca isn't like other clubs you easily arrive and adapt, he needs at least 6-months or a season to do that...only handful number of signings have made an instant impact (Jordi Alba)
Clevis
1
Koeman is the most stupid coach I’ve ever known, selling good players and potential players sitting on the bench, why buying players if you will not-used them . It will be better if barca fired koeman
it worry me a lot when I see people who reason like you on this app, I blame the admins for allowing kids with no brain like you to be using this app and write whatever you feel like writing without even thinking
Dekaeikmpy
1
Koeman needs to give Pyanic the opportunity to prove himself in the team where he was , he was a fighter and hardworking
All the midfielders cannot enter the field
miydlmop
1
Koeman needs to give Pyanic the opportunity to prove himself in the team where he was , he was a fighter and hardworking
miydlmop
5
Barcelona ‘s problems are not the players, but the coach and staff
Lihaclmnyz
0
I'm sure you don't watch football
good guess
Lihaclmnyz
0
I'm sure you don't watch football
ok boss
miydlmop
1
Koeman is the most stupid coach I’ve ever known, selling good players and potential players sitting on the bench, why buying players if you will not-used them . It will be better if barca fired koeman
wuaeikopry
0
remove the slowness,pjanic can't pass like busquest,can't control a game like busquests clown
true bro
wuaeikopry
0
And we bought him for 60 gross millions
we should have sold Arthur just for money.
koncknrz
1
it's barca we are talking about, not juventus
dadadenrs
0
Pjanic is much batter than pedri in my own opinion. So,koeman should be given some chance to prove his abilities...
go and watch football first
Fatacikmst
3
Arthur is better than pjanic
King185
3
this season so far Busquets has been at the top of his game. Pjanic hasn't performed in the opportunities he had, he is a good player but at this point barca was better off with Arthur.
Jules2003
1
I won't talk anything until barca get their new president (I'm just saying)
surrestguy20
0
Pjanic is much batter than pedri in my own opinion. So,koeman should be given some chance to prove his abilities...
I'm sure you don't watch football
Rocopru
1
instead of Busquet he deserves
Mbaliyu
0
Pjanic is much batter than pedri in my own opinion. So,koeman should be given some chance to prove his abilities...
Not at all pjanic is a depensive midfielder and pedri is an Attacking midfield so no more comparison
Jueabcdmpr
0
busquet is far better than pjanic
agreed
Jueabcdmpr
1
Pjanic is better then him, he’s too slow...
remove the slowness,pjanic can't pass like busquest,can't control a game like busquests clown
Mesmun10
3
He's silent killer Our Player Pjanic ❤⚽
Lihaclmnyz
5
Pjanic is much batter than pedri in my own opinion. So,koeman should be given some chance to prove his abilities...
dettaboss4l
0
Thierry Henry learned from Wenger not Barca
He is literally quoting what Henry said
LegendaryChris
0
Busquets is good
Pjanic is better then him, he’s too slow...
SantosHindamu
0
Barca happened.
DrFranckeinstein
5
And we bought him for 60 gross millions
DiVaZ
2
Both are nout useful in their teams. Arthur is not at his best at juventus and pjanic barely get any minutes
kuwcemnoz
1
useless
PDAN
3
it was an unnecessary transaction, we miss Arthur
BillyDedon
0
Busquets is good
Busquet is not good
cdas
3
pjanic must be sure before joiy that he will be a bench warmer.