In a departure from their recent inclination to feature La Masia talents, Barcelona finds themselves on the brink of parting ways with promising midfielder Marc Casado. Despite being on the fringes of the first team for the past two seasons, the 20-year-old has struggled to secure significant playing time under coach Xavi Hernandez.
Barcelona’s midfield, particularly in the pivotal position, lacks a natural alternative to Oriol Romeu. However, Casado has been sparingly utilized, making just three appearances, all in the Champions League, accumulating a mere 45 minutes of playtime. Notably, he is yet to make his La Liga debut.
Even with Barcelona facing a shortage of options in midfield, Casado has been overlooked, raising questions about the club’s faith in his abilities. According to Sport, the young midfielder, who has been in the first-team squad on 34 occasions, could be considering an exit from the club.
Casado’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and while Barcelona holds an option to extend it by a further year, the lack of regular opportunities, especially considering his role as a regular for Barca Atletic, might lead to his departure.
The decision could be influenced by Barcelona’s assessment of Casado’s long-term potential within the squad. Despite an injury crisis in other positions, the club has witnessed relative stability in midfield, with key players like Romeu, Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gundogan, and Fermin Lopez maintaining fitness throughout the season. Casado’s challenge to secure minutes on the field becomes even more daunting against this backdrop, hinting at an uncertain future for the promising youngster at Barcelona.
